Not Wearing Enough Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn’t optional — but you probably already know that. There is still some confusion though over how much sunscreen to apply, where, and how often.
The general consensus is that you should apply a nickel’s worth of sunscreen to your face, taking take to include often-missed areas like the tops of ears, sides of your face, and neck, which are all exposed to UV rays. Another tip is to apply 2-3 finger lengths of sunscreen to your face, as this is proportional to the surface of your face, according to experts. If you’re just dabbing here and there, you may not be applying enough sunscreen to be truly beneficial.
Another thing to remember about sunscreen is that applying it once isn’t enough. It should be applied every two hours while you are out and about. If it’s overcast outside, don’t skip sunscreen — UV rays can still penetrate through clouds.
Choose a Higher SPF
Pay attention to your actual SPF protection, as well. Depending on your skin tone, you may opt to use an SPF that’s on the higher side, such as SPF 50, to ensure your skin stays protected, especially if you’re going to be in direct sunlight. It is generally recommended that everyone use SPF 30 or higher for optimal facial skin protection.
Having a Bare Minimum Skincare Routine
There’s a happy medium between an absolute bare-bones minimal skincare routine and a 15-step routine that breaks the bank (and can possibly irritate skin). It’s fine to use a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF — and nothing more. Introducing SPF to your routine alone will make a huge difference in your skincare outcomes.
But if you are open to exploring a few more skincare options, it’s a great idea to incorporate an active serum that contains retinol, vitamin C, or niacin amid
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient in skincare — one that has proven benefits that include rebuilding collagen, helping to reduce and fade away fine lines, and even minimizing discoloration. A vitamin C serum provides an antioxidant that protects the skin against hyperpigmentation, photoaging, sagging skin, and more. And niacimamide is a vitamin B derivative that can minimize enlarged pores, curb inflammation, and control oil, thereby preventing acne. You can find all of these products at reasonable prices, too, so there has never been a better time than now to build up your skincare toolkit.
These mistakes are so common that you shouldn’t feel bad about making them. But changing the way you approach SPF and active ingredients can make a world of difference in how your skin looks and makes you feel.