Skin care isn’t always about doing more; most of the time, it’s about doing the foundations consistently! But what are those foundations and the mistakes that should be avoided? Let’s explore this:
1. Forget that hydration is more than just water!
Hydration is the number one foundation of all bodily functions, whether it be youthful skin, restful sleep, oil production, or messages sent to the brain. But water isn’t enough, especially if it is stripped/dead water. What is dead water? It is reverse osmosis water or distilled water. Both of these kinds of water have had all the nutrients and minerals stripped from them; due to this, it is impossible for the water to actually hydrate, as it doesn’t have the necessary cofactors present.
Solution:
The best way to ensure your water is actually hydrating you is by drinking spring water, the way God’s natural order provides clean water. Another way is by remineralizing reverse osmosis/distilled water with mineral drops, sea salt, and herbal teas. You can find a variety of herbal teas on our website. Just go to https://dandelionnaturals.com/product-category/dandelion-market/loose-leaf-tea/
2. Maintain poor sleep hygiene
Sleep hygiene isn’t about whether you bathed before you went to bed, but rather it is about whether your sleeping habits are good ones that support restful sleep.
Sleep is the foundation of all the functions of your body, including skin cell turnover. From thyroid function to blood sugar control, your sleep matters!
What impacts sleep?
-blue light exposure
-spending time in the morning and evening sun to set the biological clock
-caffeine consumption and/or stimulant consumption
-stress
-breathing disorders
-pain
-hydration
-nutrients
When your sleep is impacted for the worse, so are your hormones. When your hormones are affected, then your sleep is impacted, and it is a cycle that spirals downwards. If your hormones seem to be off, then remember that hormones are like warning lights on a car; they aren’t the problem that need to be fixed. Instead, they are the signal that something isn’t working well.
Solution:
Go to bed around 10 pm and maintain a consistent bedtime. Reduce stress by saying no when necessary, hiring someone to help you, writing down your thoughts to process what you are experiencing, and reducing the intensity of your workouts. Hydrate with mineral-rich water. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants after noon. For herbal support, try our powerful herb-infused sleep balm. (linked)
3. Going to bed without cleansing the day’s makeup or dirt off.
“Your skin regenerates while you sleep, and makeup (plus the dirt and oil it traps) clogs pores and disrupts that natural repair process. Cue breakouts, dullness, and premature aging.” (1)
Solution:
Oil cleanse using tallow, jojoba, or olive oil. Use a microfiber face cloth with warm water. Or cleanse using a bar soap such as our Honey Turmeric Tallow Face Bar Soap with Frankincense. (linked)
4. Neglecting moisturizer
If you neglect moisturizer, your skin loses its moisture via evaporation. Moisturizer includes water-based and fat-based products, as each supports the skin in different ways. But we will discuss which one goes first next.
Solution:
Apply moisturizer each time you cleanse your face. Water-based hydration includes lotions, hydrosols, and gels. Occlusive moisturizers – prevent water from evaporating; occlusive moisturizers include balms, tallow, and butters. We carry natural hydrosols at our store in Hayfield, MN along with multiple balms and serums.
5. Not applying products at the right time
Applying a cream then a hydrosol defeats the purpose of both. Why? A hydrosol is water-based and provides the light hydration that is necessary. Creams, tallow, and balms provide the occlusive nature necessary for locking in the hydration while also providing supportive nutrients.
Solution:
Apply a hydrosol to your face first, then apply a cream, balm, or a tallow-based product such as our Tea Tree Lavender Tallow Balm with Jojoba Oil .
6. Skipping sunscreen when you are likely to get burned
We agree that the sun is good for you and your skin, but getting burned by the sun is still bad for your skin. If you are going to be in the sun for more than an hour or two, then sunscreen is likely necessary, especially during the hours of 11 am-3 pm.
Solution:
To protect your body and face from sunburn, use shade and sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater that blocks UVA and UVB rays. The most non-toxic sunscreen is mineral-based sunscreen that uses non-nano zinc oxide. To prevent a sunburn, follow the directions on the bottle. Stop in at our store, affectionately known as ‘The Dande’ in Hayfield, MN, to browse mineral sunscreens, so you can be prepared for sunny days.
7. Skipping antioxidants
Free radicals are the biggest source of skin damage. Free radical damage includes pollutants, chemicals, and other environmental allergens, which is called oxidation.
Solution:
To prevent oxidation, you need to use skincare products that contain antioxidants. There are numerous antioxidant products on the market, but using a vitamin C serum as part of your morning skincare routine is a simple option.” (2) “Coenzyme Q10 is another naturally derived (from fermentation!) nutrient that provides skin cells with the critical energy needed to repair and renew themselves. In addition, it has been proven to support the production of collagen, improve skin hydration, even skin tone, and reduce sun damage.” (4) But remember, both of these products should be added to your nighttime routine, not during your morning routine. You can find Little Seed Farm’s Antioxidant Serum at our store at 108 Main St, Hayfield, MN, this product contains Coenzyme Q10.
8. Eating the wrong foods
“Nutrition is an important part of skin health. The foods we eat powers our bodies and gives us the nutrients to maintain healthy cells and tissue, including skin cells. Without adequate nutrition, skin will start to look and feel less healthy. Eating a variety of nutritious foods is essential. In addition to finding the right foods, it’s also important to avoid eating the wrong things. Certain foods can trigger flare-ups in chronic skin conditions or worsen symptoms of skin conditions like eczema, acne, and rosacea.” (3) So it is important to know your own body and how it reacts to things.
Solution:
Ensure you are eating a diet low in polyunsaturated fat and be sure to include a wide range of nutrient rich foods such as eggs, milk, seafood, protein-packed meats, fruits, and veggies. Also consider taking a probiotic and digestive enzymes to ensure your gut is able to process and absorb the nutrients you are consuming.
9. Forget to clean your makeup brushes.
Makeup brushes are a silent culprit that can harbor bacteria and even mold if they remain damp for over a couple of days.
Solution:
Clean your makeup brushes once a month to mitigate the risk of bacteria growing and being rubbed all over your face.
10. Over exfoliating
Using exfoliation too often can irritate your skin and strip it of its natural oils. If you have dry, sensitive skin, try exfoliating once a week. If you have oil/acne-prone skin, try exfoliating 2 times a week.
Solution:
Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliant such as milk, honey and vinegar, or try our Raw Milk Calendula Oats Bar Soap. (linked) Another great option is to try facial dry brushing. This provides more than just exfoliation, offering lymphatic drainage and stimulation to your skin, which helps it produce more collagen. If you would like to know more about dry brushing, check out our blog post ‘At Home Facials With the Same Amazing Benefits As a Salon Facial’ .
Feel free to browse our website at www.dandelionnaturals.com or stop by our store, ‘The Dande’ at 108 Main St, Hayfield, MN, to browse a variety of natural and supportive products so you don’t get caught making any of the 10 mistakes we mentioned here.
Resources:
https://asthetikskincare.com/blogs/news/the-truth-about-bad-skincare-habits-and-how-to-break-them-for-good (1)
https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/blog/bad-skincare-habits-you-should-break/ (2) (3) https://littleseedfarm.com/collections/serums/products/antioxidant-serum (4)
