How to avoid skin care mistakes and prevent blackheads

How To Avoid Common Skin Care Mistakes

Everyone makes skin care mistakes from time to time. Here are some things you should avoid in particular.

1. You Pop Your Pimples

There seems to be a misconception that sometimes it’s okay to pop pimples. We’re here to tell you that those circumstances never exist. Every time you squeeze at your skin or pick it you are causing skin trauma. So if you see a blemish, just let it be. If you’ve already squeezed, help calm the area with a hydrating toner and lotion. The best way to care for a pimple is by using the right products and cleansing and moisturizing your skin properly every day. This will help keep blemishes at bay.

2. You Apply Too Little SPF

Most people think that they only need a small amount of SPF and that they only need to apply when they spend a long time in the sun. We’re here to tell you that this is all wrong. You always need SPF no matter what the weather, you should be using a good amount of it, nearly the size of a quarter for just your face. Use at least SPF 15 and if you’re spending time in the pool or playing sports, re-apply often.

3. You Don’t Really Exfoliate

There’s a lot of information out there about how exfoliation can be harsh on skin. Although there are some exfoliators out there with crystals and sand particles that can be harmful to your skin, particularly if you have sensitive skin, there are also gentle exfoliation products formulated for this skin type. Exfoliating can be important for your skin – it removes old skin cells from skin’s surface, which can often be the cause of blemishes or your skin looking dull. Use a gentle exfoliating wash once a week that’s formulated with fruit or lactic acid to help revive your skin but won’t cause any skin imbalance.

4. You Don’t Wash Makeup Brushes

We agree it can be easy to forget to do this amid a busy skin and makeup routine. Unfortunately make up brushes, applicators and sponges can harbor dirt, sweat and bacteria which can cause skin to break out. Make sure you wash these weekly so that they don’t cause your skin to breakout.

5. You Don’t Moisturize Properly

There are two big mistakes that can be made when it comes to a moisturizer. If you have oily or combination skin you might think that you don’t need moisturizer but you definitely do. Not moisturizing just makes your skin produce more oil which makes it oilier in the long run. Do not skip out on this step.

For dry skin don’t assume that the richest cream is automatically the best. What you need to keep an eye out for is products formulated with ceramides which can help hydrate and replenish skin.

6. You Exercise While Your Make Up Is Still On

We’re all about exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, exercising with a face full of makeup can potentially clog your pores, which makes it a breeding ground for blemishes. Always keep face wipes on hand before you work out so that your gym class doesn’t end up causing skin issues for you later.

7. You Don’t Change Your Pillowcase Enough

Your face spends a lot of time on your pillow and so it makes sense that dirt, sweat, oil and bacteria can accumulate on your pillowcase. You need to wash your pillowcase at least once a week to ensure your shuteye isn’t causing blemishes to appear on your skin.

8. You Don’t Drink Enough Water

H2O plays a huge role when it comes to skin and not getting enough can result in dehydrated looking skin. Drink up if you want your skin to look its best .

How to Take Care of Your Skin And Blackheads

Ever looked at the dark hard dots on your skin also known as blackheads and wondered why they form? Well it turns out that they are very complex structure. “Blackheads are a form of acne known as an open comedone,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes. “Acne arises from blocked sebaceous glands that produce excessive amounts of sebum. The combination of sebum and skin cells form a plug dilating the pore. Bacteria like the lipid environment and live in these plugs. One commonly sees blackheads in the T-zone. The black color is the lack of reflectance through the packed cells, not dirt.”

There are a variety of causes for blackheads ranging from hormones, poor skin care, stress to inadvertent habits. Here’s how to properly cleanse and maintain your skin to avoid blackheads.

How to Prevent and Cleanse Blackheads

1. Cleanse with Salicylic Acid and Charcoal

If you have blackheads it’s important to have a good skin care routine in place. What you cleanse your face with is important. You should try to cleanse your skin twice a day with a product that is formulated for this skin type. Pinea-C Brightening Gel Washable Cleanser is perfect for skin that’s on the oilier side. It is formulated with both salicylic acid and charcoal which help remove dirt and other pore-clogging particles. The charcoal cleanser acts like magnets to remove impurities from skin’s surface.

2. Exfoliate Regularly

Removing dead skin from skin’s surface and polishing your pores decreases the likelihood of blackheads and can help lessen their appearance. Garnier SkinActive’s Clean+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub helps lift dead skin from skin’s surface and can help expose a fresh layer of new skin cells too. It also helps prep your skin to receive subsequent products.

3. Charcoal Clays Masks

Masks formulated with clay can help draw out impurities on your skin and regulate oil production while minimizing the appearance of your pores. Masks can be very helpful when it comes to controlling blackheads — they can restore and deep clean. Use a mask such as Garnier SkinActive’s Clean+ Pore-Purifying 2-in-1 Clay Cleanser and Mask to revitalize and restore the appearance of your skin.

4. Use The Right Moisturizer

Apply a non-comedogenic, light moisturizer that helps regulate oil production as well as hydrates. Avoid thick moisturizers that can clog your pores, which can increase the likelihood of blackheads forming. A light gel moisturizer is perfect to give your skin needed hydration without clogging pores.

5. Minimize Blemishes With BB Cream

For your skin to look perfect and hide blackheads you may want to enlist the help of an oil-free BB cream. Garnier SkinActive’s 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream can help brighten the appearance of your skin, lessen the appearance of blemishes (such as your blackheads), mattify your skin, even its tone and also protect your skin from the sun. Use in the morning to walk out the door with a flawless complexion.