Surprising Skincare Mistakes You Could Be Making
The Lesser Known Culprits of Fine Lines
Written by Sarah McCann
When it comes to skincare, we all know to avoid major culprits like sun exposure and smoking cigarettes to protect our skin. However, it turns out there are many other lesser-known mistakes. Read on to find out how to elevate your skincare game this new year.
On the eve of my 40th birthday I found myself binge-reading anti-aging skincare articles in fear of turning into one giant age-spotted wrinkle at the stroke of midnight.
Spoiler alert: I did not.
Many of the articles touted similar advice: wear sunscreen daily and don’t smoke cigarettes. As someone with the complexion similar to a sheet of looseleaf paper, I was already careful to apply sunscreen daily. And I can honestly say I’ve never inhaled one cigarette puff in 40 years. Yet, I was beginning to see those signs of aging and wasn’t convinced that was all there was to it.
Over the last few years I have delved deeper into the skincare world- even going so far as to become a skincare professional myself. As I dove into the research what I discovered surprised me. It turns out there many aspects our lives, through daily routines, to seemingly harmless skincare routines that may not be doing our skin any favours.
Here are just a few skin-related mistakes you could be making, and suggestions for how to minimize them and protect your skin.
Mistake 1: Not taking regional-specific climate into account when determining skincare routines.
There is a plethora of information online about what products to use, when, how, and in what order. Frankly, trying to sort out skincare can be more overwhelming than trying to decide which toppings to get on my Beaver Tail (or is it just me that finds that overwhelming?) It can be tempting to simply adopt skincare habits based on recommendations from friends or people we follow online; however, what your favourite skinfluencer in humid Nanaimo, BC insists is the best skincare routine may not be optimal for someone in the comparatively dry Canadian Prairies. Seasonal changes and individual skin type also play a factor, of course, and your skincare routine may even need adjustments depending on time of year. In general, though, it may be best to get your skincare advice from someone familiar with your particular climate. Even better, consult with a local skincare professional who can assess your individual needs and adjust your routine as necessary.
Mistake 2: Frequent light exposure through windows without sunscreen.
Most of us know by now that we should wear sunscreen outdoors, unless we’ve been living under a rock- which, actually, would be a great alternative to needing sunscreen. Since we’re now in the throes of Canadian winter and may not be getting as much time outdoors right now, we may even have abandoned our sunscreen at the back of the bathroom cabinet. This could be a huge disservice to our skin, though, as UVA rays- a major cause of premature aging and increased skin cancer risk- penetrate through most standard types of glass. So that office window that you sit in front of for six to eight hours a day dreaming of summer could actually be contributing to skin damage. And if you’ve noticed more dark spots on one side of your face than the other, you may inadvertently be advertising your preference for sitting in the driver's seat of a car or being a passenger prince or princess. So, even if it is winter and you don’t plan to be outside, ensure that you are still applying and reapplying your sunscreen often- every two hours is optimal- if you spend many of your indoor hours near a window or in a car.
Mistake 3: Sleeping on our front or side with a regular pillow.
As a side sleeper, I was shook to learn that the pressure and skin distortion from our face pressing into our pillow all night long could cause more long-term damage than just temporary pillow creases. Over time, these creases can become more permanent as we age and our skin loses elasticity. Those who always sleep on the same side may even develop visible differences on one side of the face versus the other. Yikes! If at all possible, try to stay lying on your back throughout the night- I know, I know, not easy if you’re accustomed to sleeping in the fetal position. If unable to remain on your back, there are lots of special pillows designed to minimize pressure on the face, and using a silk or satin pillowcase can also reduce creasing.
Mistake 4: Neglecting to recognize the importance of diet to our skin health.
Again, we probably know by now how important what we eat is to our overall health, but I was still somehow surprised to learn what a huge impact it can have on skin health and aging. The usual health culprits such as sugar, highly processed foods, and excess alcohol, can all cause rapid blood sugar spikes and inflammation, as well as produce Advanced Glycation End products (the aptly acronymed AGEs) which damage the collagen and elastin that give skin its youthful firmness and elasticity. The good news? This damage can be reversed to a degree through lifestyle changes including adjusting our diet. There are books by Canadian authors dedicated to this topic, such as Beauty, Pure + Simple: The Ayurvedic Approach to Beautiful Skin by Kristen Ma and Beautiful Skin Begins Within by Lorna Vanderhaeghe.
A few common recommendations include incorporating foods like extra-virgin olive oil, salmon, leafy green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage), berries, green tea, nuts and seeds, and spices such as cinnamon and turmeric.
These can make a huge difference to your skin. Even just changing the order of the foods you eat can reduce blood sugar spikes and their related skin damage; vegetables and fibre first, protein and healthy fats second, then carbohydrates last, this is the ideal order according to experts.
Some of the suggestions above may be trickier to implement than others… hello, sleeping on my back and limiting sugar intake- but our skin will thank us if we try!