Is your skincare routine actually damaging your skin barrier?
The skin barrier is our body's first line of defense, and its health is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Over-cleansing and frequent use of skin care products may disturb the skin's natural balance and cause damage to the skin barrier.
The skin barrier is our body's first line of defense, and its health is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Over-cleansing and frequent use of skin care products may disturb the skin's natural balance and cause damage to the skin barrier.
- Error 1:
Over-cleansing
The following is a misconception about "over-cleansing". Many people are used to using facial cleanser again after removing makeup, thinking that this is a thorough cleansing. However, in fact, makeup remover is enough to remove makeup and dirt. As long as you master the correct use method, clean water can completely rinse off makeup remover. It is worth noting that excessive use of strong cleansing products may damage the skin barrier and cause sensitive skin. Therefore, in most cases, such as when using non-waterproof sunscreen or light makeup, basic facial cleanser is enough to achieve a cleansing effect, and no additional makeup removal is required.
In addition, frequent use of various "deep cleansing" products, such as scrubs, cleansing masks and exfoliating creams, will also damage the healthy stratum corneum and thus damage the skin barrier. Most people's skin is healthy, and their stratum corneum will naturally fall off according to the natural replacement cycle without the need for additional exfoliation. Therefore, this type of "deep cleansing" product is only suitable for people with rough and dull skin or thick stratum corneum. For those with sensitive skin, avoid using such products.
- Error 2:
Applying a mask every day
Next, let's talk about another common skin care misunderstanding - "applying a mask every day". The truth is: there is no need to apply a mask every day, 2 to 3 times a week is enough. If you apply a mask every day and each time lasts for more than 15 minutes, the stratum corneum may be damaged due to excessive hydration. Long-term and frequent masking may cause the skin to become sensitive, and discomfort such as rashes or tingling may occur.
Recommendation:
Masks are not suitable for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin. Consult a dermatologist before use. If you need to apply a mask, it is advisable to apply it 2 to 3 times a week, and each time should not exceed 30 minutes.
- Error 3:
Relying on homemade masks
Various homemade masks, handmade soaps, and unique skin care recipes are emerging in an endless stream, and many people mistakenly believe that these pure natural products are safe and effective. However, the truth is: over-reliance on these homemade products may damage skin health. This is because there are many safety risks in homemade products. For example, we cannot ensure whether the fruits and vegetables used contain pesticide residues or other harmful substances. In addition, some natural plants contain light-sensitive substances, which may cause adverse reactions after being applied to the face, such as darkening of the skin or allergies. In addition, it should be noted that although some foods contain nutrients, these nutrients cannot be absorbed through the skin. Therefore, for such "handmade, pure natural, original" skin care products, we need to be vigilant and choose carefully.
- Error 4:
Using cotton pads
Many people prefer to use cotton pads to apply toner, thinking that this can ensure cleanliness and promote absorption. However, in fact, this has no other significant effect except accelerating the consumption of toner and increasing skin friction. Frequent use of cotton pads for friction can easily damage the normal stratum corneum of our skin and may even aggravate the formation of wrinkles. Therefore, there is no need to use cotton pads to apply toner.
Suggestion:
Toner can be applied by patting with clean hands or spraying with a spray bottle.
- Error 5:
Skin care means applying many layers
The main function of the skin is barrier protection, not absorption. Skin care products have many effects on the skin, and some products need to be absorbed through penetration to work. For this category, good products will consider the problem of product penetration and absorption during the formulation stage. Acids, alcohol and other ingredients will be used to help promote penetration. Another category of products, such as basic moisturizing products and products suitable for sensitive skin, actually mainly play a moisturizing and protective role outside the stratum corneum of the skin. Excessive absorption will increase skin irritation. Therefore, blindly pursuing absorption is not a good thing. In addition, choosing the wrong product in pursuit of absorption, or overusing the product will not achieve the product effect on the one hand, but will also cause product waste on the other hand, and even worse, it will hurt the skin.