Taking proper care of your skin from morning to night is the most surefire way to prevent signs of aging from developing on your complexion, but even in the most ironclad skincare routine there may be small mistakes you’re making that could negate the hard work you’re putting in. Although fine lines and wrinkles are a common development as the skin naturally begins to produce less collagen throughout the years, just as there are steps you can take to prevent this from occurring, there are small missteps that can actually make signs of aging worse, and it’s worth being prudent in all areas of your daily routine to keep this at bay.
If you’ve been noticing fine lines starting to etch into your skin, there’s one thing you need to be aware of, according to dermatologists, that will make a world of difference.
Using The Wrong Cleanser
It happens to the best of us: you come home from a long night out and would rather just climb into bed and fall asleep than deal with the entirety of your skincare routine. But while this may have worked in college, as you grow older it becomes increasingly important to cleanse your skin of heavy makeup that may be clogging your pores if you want to ensure the longevity of your complexion. However, just as important as it is to wash your face before heading off to sleep, you must be using the correct formulation of face wash as well.
“People with oily skin can double cleanse, using cleansing oil products and smooth cleaners to clear the leftover stains,” suggests cosmetologist and clinical dermatologist Ksenia Sobchak, M.D. “In my opinion, the most critical mistake women with aging skin make when washing their face is using the wrong cleanser.” Tailoring your skincare routine to the unique needs of your complexion is vital for creating actionable change in your skin, particularly when it comes to anti-aging.
The ideal situation is that every ingredient and product you include in your skincare regimen will have a significant role in keeping signs of aging away and genuinely improving the quality of your skin. However, using the wrong cleanser can render your skincare routine virtually useless in some cases, putting your complexion in a worse position than it was to begin with. “[Using] a cleanser that does not match your skin type predicts failure in your entire skincare routine and can further damage your skin,” notes Sobchack. “If you have oily skin, I highly recommend foaming and gel cleansers. Conversely, if your skin is normal or dry, creamier cleansers can make a great choice.”
When using the wrong form of cleanser, you put the outer layer of your skin at risk. In failing to properly hydrate or manage oil production you may notice your skin becomes even more agitated, revealing fine lines more quickly. “The wrong cleanser damages the skin's lipid barrier, allowing toxins, dirt, and UV light to penetrate and damage the skin,” explains Sobchack. “This encourages wrinkles, jeopardizing your dreams of achieving healthy and youthful skin.”
Taking care to choose a cleanser formulation that actually compliments the needs of your skin, whether it be dry, oily, or in between, will ultimately allow for your overall routine to become more effective, mitigating the development of fine lines and wrinkles and improving your skin’s barrier for a healthier, well balanced complexion.
