What mistakes are you making with your skin?

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Once you've got your skin routine sorted, that's all you need to worry about, right? You may think that you know exactly what your skin needs, but many of us make mistakes with our skincare that can cause damage over time. 

Looking after your skin isn't just about the products you use - although these are very important - it's about how you apply them, what temperatures your skin is subjected to and numerous other things that can all have a huge effect. 

As well as risking breakouts or dry patches, improper skincare techniques can speed up the signs of ageing, mean the skin loses elasticity and can put it at risk of other problems, such as blocked pores.

To help ensure your skincare routine is all about giving your skin the best care possible, here are some of the most common mistakes people make and what to do instead:

Just throwing on face wash

When it comes to washing your face, it isn't just about the product you use - although our traditional soaps are great options - it's about the direction in which you apply it. It's so easy just to throw face wash on and move it around your skin, but there is a much better way to do this.

Apply face wash or soap to the middle of your face and then use your index and middle finger to move it outwards over the rest of your skin in circular motions. Not only does this provide a deeper clean, it can reduce puffiness, leaving your face looking fresh and bright.

Only single cleansing

If you wear makeup, you need to be at least double cleansing your skin in order to remove every trace of makeup. This means using a gentle makeup remover first - steer clear of wipes as these can strip your skin - and then use a face wash. This will ensure you get rid of all your makeup, as well as excess oil and dirt that will build up during the day.

Scrubbing too often

Exfoliating is an important part of skincare as it provides a deep clean, unclogs pores, removes dead cells and improves the look and feel of your skin. However, scrubbing too much is actually worse than not scrubbing enough and can lead to a whole host of problems.

Looking after your skin isn't just about the products you use

Pulling delicate skin too often when exfoliating can cause wrinkles, you can remove too much oil and extra scrubbing means your skin sheds more skin cells, which then clog your pores and you can actually make your pores bigger.

You don't need to exfoliate more than twice a week and even that might be too much for you. Scrub at night to let your skin recover when you sleep and you'll soon see problem areas get better.

Using hot water

It may feel nice to wash your face in hot water, but it is actually damaging your skin. In fact, soaking in a steaming hot bath or having a really hot shower also aren't great options. This is because hot water strips the skin too much, which can mean it gets dry and can actually get irritated more easily.

Instead, use lukewarm water to wash your face and turn down your shower slightly to look after the rest of your skin. If you have trouble with enlarged pores, finish up with a splash of cold water to help tighten them.

Sticking with one moisturiser

It may seem easier to just grab a single moisturiser for both day and night, but this doesn't meet the needs of your skin. Day moisturisers tend to be lighter and contain SPF, but at night, your skin needs something heavier to sink into all the layers of your skin. You also don't need SPF when it gets dark, so this ends up just sitting on your skin when it should be breathing.

Make sure you have a moisturiser for day and night, as well as a separate one for your delicate eye area, as the skin here is different to the rest of your face. Use a small amount each time you use it, ensuring you moisturise after washing and toning your face.

Oils are a great option for night moisturising, as you need a small amount and they are able to slowly sink into your skin, leaving it looking fresh and flawless the next day.

To help perfect your skincare routine, shop our beautiful range of handmade traditional soaps, which are perfect for hands, body and face