Nine Ways to Damage Your Skin That Maybe You Don’t Know (Part 1)

March 09, 2017

Christie Kidd, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist whose clients include Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Alexandra Wagner, a licensed aesthetician and skin-care specialist, help us to find out the all the sneaky ways we could be damaging our skin, without even realizing it.

Clean your sunnies and phone often

Ever notice blemishes appearing on your cheeks and the bridge of your nose? Your sunglasses and cell phone might be to blame (after all, when’s the last time you wiped down either?). “Even just touching a part of your face with unclean hands can trigger zits,” Wagner says. “Often, I can tell when people are touching a part of their face as a habit — the skin in that area appears to have more acne and blackheads.” The fix? Keep your hands off your face, and clean your sunnies and phone often.

Use a topical serum for exfoliation

Think twice before you go running to the store for a powerful exfoliator designed to buff away dry, flaky patches or clean out clogged pores. According to Kidd, anything too abrasive — like harsh exfoliators and sponges — might harm, rather than help, your skin. “Pimples don’t need to be aggravated even more,” she says. “It’s best to use a topical serum for exfoliation, which allows cellular turnover to happen without scrubbing off your skin. I also recommend simply using your cleansed hands, which are softer and gentler, to wash your face.”

Wagner suggests avoiding sulfates

We usually trust whatever our favorite brands tell us about their products, but it’s important to pay attention to ingredient lists and find out what could irritate your skin type. For example, Wagner suggests avoiding sulfates, which lurk in many skin-care and hair products. “Sulfates can strip your skin of oil and cause your glands to overproduce oil, creating acne,” she explains. “Also, keep an eye out for parabens, phthalates, triclosan, PEGs, and synthetic fragrances, all of which can throw off your hormones.”

Pack your favorite toner and some cotton balls in your gym bag

Working out has many benefits, but your post-gym skin-care regimen is just as important. In fact, it could be the key to maintaining a clear complexion. If you’re lazy about washing your face immediately after a sweaty treadmill session, you run the risk of major breakouts. As an alternative, Wagner suggests packing your favorite toner and some cotton balls in your gym bag. “This way, you can balance your pH and quickly clean off any leftover sweat and bacteria,” she says. CONTINUE IN PART 2.


Bibliography: Tse, T., Care, B. •, & Cortes., P. B. (2016, February 4). 9 Ways You're Effing Up Your Skin & Don't Know It. Retrieved March 09, 2017, from http://www.refinery29.com/common-skin-mistakes
Source: Refinery29

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