I’m pretty evangelistic when it comes to having a good, daily skincare routine. But while most of us would agree on the basics, there are some mistakes that I see people making over and over again. Here are some of the most common misconceptions that people have about looking after the skin - make sure this isn’t you!
- Mixing cleansing and massaging. A lot of people spend a considerable amount of time massaging their cleanser into their skin, presumably to really get the cleanser to work. But most of these products contain emulsifiers or foaming agents, which can dry skin out (particularly as winter approaches). Ultimately, who wants to be massaging dirt and makeup into their skin? My rule of thumb? Especially with foaming cleanser, massage it between your palms to get the foams up; keep this chemical reaction away from your face. Spread the cleanser across your face and massage just enough for it to identify and lift the dirt and grime. Then rinse, or use a washcloth to remove extra quickly and effectively. When your skin is cleansed, then by all means massage to your heart’s content; indulge in every step of your skincare ritual.
- Double cleansing morning and night. Unless you sleep with your makeup on (a cardinal sin), then you really don’t need to double cleanse in the morning. Refresh your face with a quick cleanse first thing, then get on with the rest of your skincare routine. Double cleanse at night to remove the day’s debris, but over-cleansing in the morning will just strip your face of its natural oils, leaving skin dry.
- Over-exfoliating. Don’t get me wrong, exfoliating is a crucial part of any skincare routine, but Clarisonic plus peeling masks plus liquid exfoliants plus scrubs is just going to dry out and damage your skin, leading to inflammation. Exfoliate daily with mild exfoliants that contain agents like lactic acid (which moisturises at the same time), or, if you prefer a more robust approach, try a weekly peel. Personally, I use the Exfoliating & Conditioning Cleanser, which combines lactic and salicylic acids with anti-inflammatory allantoin to dissolve makeup, remove dead skin cells, and calm the skin without drying it out.
- Going from cleanser straight to moisturiser. I’m a massive fan of toners. They are some of the unsung heroes of skincare. A great toner can brighten, hydrate, minimise pores and repair damaged cells, because it loads skin with water. This allows other products, such as serums and moisturisers, to fully adhere to the skin and sink in. If you haven’t tried it already, get your hands on the Rosa Damascena Essence Mist, which is packed with 98% first budded Damask Rose hydro-droplets, using a steamed essential oil extraction. Full of powerful calming and hydrating properties, this product is great at combating the extreme change in temperature and humidity after cleansing or a shower. Also, going from cleansing to moisturising misses out serums too, some of which are complete skincare powerhouses.
- Applying skincare on neck with upward strokes. So many people focus on the lifting effect that they want from the skincare they apply to their neck. That’s all well and good - but any folds or wrinkles actually open upwards. To make sure your wonder products are getting to where they need to be, start by applying them with downwards strokes. Then massage your neck upwards for that all-important lifting effect. I’m really excited about our new ‘Alpha-Glow Flash Facial’, which has some of the most powerful ingredients available, tackling wrinkles and dryness and giving a real lifting effect... some even say it's the ONLY serum you'll ever need.
- Ada Ooi, Founder of 001 Skincare London
