Popping pimples, not washing off makeup: common mistakes in nighttime skincare

Squeezing acne, not washing off makeup: common mistakes in nighttime skin care

You can take care of your skin without going to a cosmetologist. If you are not achieving the expected results in skin care, then you have made some kind of mistake. Night care is the most important part of skin care. However, even mistakes that seem small to you can lead to serious problems with your skin. The publication "Noviy Ochag" reported on the mistakes made in night care.

**Using products with vitamin C at night**

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, but it is better to use it during the day. This enhances the effect of sunscreen, which is another reason to use it during the day. In addition, if you use retinol in night care, they are neutralized by vitamin C. In this case, both of them are ineffective.

**You forget to wash your face**

Even if you don't wear makeup, your skin accumulates oils, grease, and dirt particles throughout the day. If left untreated, they can cause inflammation, contribute to aging, and cause dark spots and wrinkles. In addition, not washing your face allows acne-causing bacteria to grow on your skin, preventing your skin from repairing itself. Sleeping without washing your face can lead to infections, inflammation, and corneal damage.

Wash your face for 30 seconds with warm water and a neutral pH cleanser. If you've been using makeup or sunscreen, this requires a two-step cleanse. It's best to wash your face first with micellar water or an oil-based cleanser, followed by water and cleanser.

**Not applying enough moisturizer**

If the surface of the skin is dry and the inner layers are dehydrated, then the body will increase oil production to solve the problem. Dehydrated skin can also cause redness, sensitivity and irritation, and in such cases, using moisturizers is an effective way. In addition, the skin goes into repair mode at night, so applying moisturizer helps to maximize absorption and strengthen the skin barrier. It is especially important to pay attention to moisturizing the skin during the winter months, when the heat from the batteries can lead to dryness and inflammation.

**You are rubbing your skin too hard**

As a child, we used to rub our face, but it is better not to do this anymore. If your skin is itchy, then you have removed all the natural oils from the surface. This means that they help maintain the integrity of the skin and act as a barrier against the external environment. Don't cleanse your face more than once a week, don't use harsh cleansers with large particles on your face, and don't rub your face with a towel.

**You're using your cleansers in the wrong order**

The wrong sequence of cleansing can nullify all your efforts. Use prescription products and start with the mildest cleanser and work your way up to the most powerful cleanser. Vitamin C doesn't work well with retinoids, but it also doesn't work well with benzoyl peroxide, which is used to treat acne. These products can dry out your skin when used together, so it's best to use a gentle cleanser before using retinoids.

If you forget to do something at night, don't try to change it the next day. Cosmetologists often say that in patients with tired, dry skin, this is the result of alternating retinoid treatments with daily acne treatments.

**Forgetting about the neck**

The skin on the neck is much thinner than on the face, but we often forget to take care of it. Especially in this era of frequent use of computers and smartphones, there is even a term “office neck”, which is a type of wrinkles that appear from sitting in one position for a long time. Apply moisturizer to the neck, but there are also products specifically designed for the neck.

**Picking pimples**

Many people know that they should not squeeze pimples, but sometimes it is very difficult to resist this habit. But cosmetologists emphasize that you should abandon the “manual cleaning” of acne at home, as this increases the risk of inflammation, infection, discoloration and scarring, and it also takes a long time for the skin to heal. Special cleaning products also irritate the skin. If you want to get rid of rashes, stick a special plaster.

**You do not pay attention to the skin of the lips**

Often we forget that the lips also need care or use the wrong products for them. Cosmetologists advise everyone who suffers from chapped and dry lips to use products with petroleum jelly. Lips can also dry out when you breathe in your sleep, so apply moisturizers or lip balm before going to bed.

**You forget to change your pillowcase**

If you do not have a new pillowcase, all the cleaning work will be in vain. You should change your pillowcase every three days, and it’s best to use silk pillowcases, which absorb less product, help prevent frizz, and protect your hair from excessive friction.

**You’re not getting enough sleep**

Eight hours of sleep a night is the minimum amount of sleep you need to feel and look your best. Your skin renews itself during sleep, and sleep deprivation can lead to premature aging. Try not to stay up late watching your favorite TV series, and don’t go on social media before bed — the light from screens disrupts your natural circadian rhythms and prevents you from falling asleep.