Drink a lot of water and use the right products, says Dr Nivedita Dadu
1 Using same skin care products for long: Many times, women continue to use the same skin care products they used when they were younger. As you grow, your skin texture also changes and demands extra care and protection. For instance, if you have acne, you can’t use the same product you have used in your teenage. So, make sure you use the products suitable for your skin type.
2 Washing face with soap: Soaps contains harsh chemicals which are not meant for face cleansing. The skin’s pH level is a major factor that contributes to skin problems. We have to keep in mind that ordinary soaps have pH levels between 9 to 11, which increases the skin’s pH level, leading to problems. Soaps and cleansers shouldn’t be used frequently on the face as they can make the skin dry and irritable.
3 Touching your face often: Many of us have a habit of touching our face with dirty fingers or even scratching off a pimple. Touching face with hands introduces more oil, dirt and germs to our skin. Not only that, our hair care products can also get on our hairline or face, which can block pores. Try and keep your hair away from your face.
4 Not drinking enough water: Not drinking enough water affects our skin very badly, leaving our skin dry. To prevent the skin from drying no matter what drink at least 3-4 litres of water in a day. It could be in the form of unsweetened water also like green tea with lemon drops or flavoured water without sugar. Always stay hydrated even if you are not feeling thirsty.
5 Skipping sunscreen: Even if the weather is cloudy or in winters, the UV rays get through the skin and exposure adds up, but many people tend to skip using the sunscreen. Protect your skin from the sun as it can cause tanning which will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase risk of skin cancer. A sunburn can dry out pimples temporarily, but it can end up making you break out even more; so use a high SPF of 30 or more for sun protection before stepping out.
6 Waxing your face: It’s a complete no! Sometimes you might notice breakouts when you wax your face. Waxing induced breakouts might look like red bumps or whiteheads.
7 Sleeping with make-up on: Not removing your make-up before going to bed induces the night clogs and open pores and oil glands. When make-up seeps into the pores, it makes them appear larger. Once your collagen levels decline, the pore won’t snap back as easily once it has been enlarged. It also leads to inflammation.
The writer is a Dermatologist at Skinology Skin and Hair Clinic