Behind the Glow

Skincare can feel…… a little overwhelming if we are putting it quiet plainly.

One minute you’re just trying to find a good cleanser, and the next minute you’re somehow using three serums, two exfoliants, a toner, a moisturizer, secret ingredients from your cabinet then finishing it off by taping your mouth and wearing a chin strap for bed. All because someone online said it completely changed their skin.

Now look I’m not one to judge. I get it. However I will be the one to break some common myths and mistakes WE ALL make.

Cause seriously!! we’ve ALL been there.

The beauty Industry is constantly evolving, new products are always launching, and everyone seems to have a different opinion on what you should be doing.

But as an Esthetics instructor, and now I’m going to assume your skin’s best friend between me and you there are a few mistakes I see over and over again, and most of the time people don’t even realize they’re making them.

So, let’s talk about it.

1.) Over-Exfoliating Your Skin.

This is probably one of the most common mistakes I see.

And believe me if your skin could talk it would be screaming at you in pain and agony.

Somewhere along the way, people started thinking that if exfoliating is good…. then more exfoliating must be better.

Nope not exactly.

See what people need to realize skin is alive and all skin just like all people have needs. Some people can exfoliate three times a week while others may do great with only two. Also, as a helpful hint to my oily/ acne clients if you over exfoliate your skin, it will retaliate and create even more sebum(oil) to overcompensate for what it thinks it lost.

OIL IS NOT THE ENEMY.

It’s all about a balance a healthy one. There’s something I like to call “The balancing act.” What this means is that All skin in order to be happy and healthy needs a perfect balance of sebum which is oil and water. That balance between oil and water is called our hydrolipidic balance. Yes, I know it’s a mouthful but just remember “hydro” for water and “lipidic” or “lipids” is just another term for oil.

People who have skin issues such as dry skin, oily, or combination skin lack that balance. They either don’t retain or hold water on the skin, lack oil production, over produce oil or have a mix of areas too oily or too dry.

Now this might not just be a you problem when it comes to skin issues. As I’ve stated before skin can be a tricky thing, but over-exfoliating can be the root to majority of clients skin issues.

Using a cleanser that contains acids or a manual exfoliate such as small granules or beads is beneficial, however following it with a toner with acids or exfoliating ingredients, followed by serums that also have exfoliating qualities or acids might sound like a solid routine…. until your skin barrier decides it has had enough and shows out.

I’m talking redness, sensitivity and worse…. Breakouts that seem to come from nowhere.

That’s your skin asking for a break. A reset of sorts. The calm.

Exfoliation is important, but balance is everything. Your skin doesn’t need to be exfoliated every single day to be healthy. You can keep your products just break them up so not every product applied is an exfoliant.

2.) Using Too Many Products at Once.

I know. The 10-step routine looks impressive. And it is but more products don’t necessarily mean better results.

In fact, layering too many products can:

• Overwhelm the skin
• Make you more prone to irritation
• Make it harder to tell what’s actually working versus what’s breaking you out.

The skin is complex but yet it can be so simple. Sometimes the most effective routines are the simplest ones.

Cleanser. Moisturizer. Sunscreen.

Overwhelming the skin is common especially if clients use serums. Serums are beneficial but applying too many could cause skin irritation due to them all “fighting” for the leading role on your face.

Also, I won’t lie to you guys. I am a compulsive shopper. Especially if we’re talking skincare. I love all the products and always want to try something new. But with that being said trying a bunch of products at once makes it harder to narrow down what could’ve caused a breakout. In a way it was a complete shock to your skin. Always start small when introducing new products.

My last point with products and it’s probably my most important point. Always be careful mixing different skincare lines. Skincare lines don’t test to see if they’re compatible to use with other brands. They just know their products are safe and effective with their line. Now I’m not saying everyone could have a reaction from mixing and matching but always proceed with caution.

All products used should serve you and your skin a purpose. Not just a place in your routine because it looked good online or maybe you loved the bottle or the aesthetic.

3. Skipping Sunscreen (or Only Using It Sometimes).

Come on guys. If there’s one thing estheticians will always have in common and always emphasize, it’s this:

Sunscreen is not optional.

It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy. (Sun’s still out)

It doesn’t matter if you’re “just running errands.” (Sun’s still out)

It doesn’t matter if it’s cold and snowy. (Sun’s still out)

One of the biggest external causes of premature aging is sun damage. Now unfortunately we can’t escape the sun…. Well, we shouldn’t want to escape it since life as we know it would probably cease to exist. But I digress. I want to bring something to your attention. There’s a big difference between aging gracefully versus “aging like milk.” As I like to call it. As a fact premature wrinkles can start as early as age 25. Now I would say “I’m not saying this to scare you”, but honestly, I am. Trying to scare you straight so the wrinkles don’t set, of course.

Let us move on to those “age spots” or “liver spots” better known as Solar Lentigo’s. A common misconception is that those are just “freckles” when in fact they are visible damage from your earlier years caused by the sun. They aren’t like a freckle. They are cumulative UV damage or sun damage caused to your outermost layer of skin resulting in hyperpigmented lesions. Now they can be harmless, but you should always visit a dermatologist once a year or sooner if any type of lesion or hyperpigmented area starts to change size, shape, color, bleeds, or is irregular in shape.

That brings me to my last point about the sun, and it’s a topic that has been heavily debated. Darker skin doesn’t need sunscreen because they have more melanin to protect them. Well, it’s true they do have more active melanocytes which are fun little guys in your body who create melanin. Which by the way everyone has the same number of melanocytes but the darker the skin the more active your melanocyte works to produce melanin. However, I am a firm believer that clients who have darker skin should still apply sunscreen. Clients with darker skin are more prone to hyperpigmentation and exposure to the sun unprotected can make that hyperpigmentation worse. Sunscreen works to protect your melanocytes so they in turn can work to protect you.

Also, as a side note a big myth is that darker clients cannot get skin cancer. That is completely false. They can and sometimes by the time they get diagnosed it may be too late. There is also very little knowledge regarding skin cancer in black individuals. It can show up in areas you least suspect or may not check as regularly such as palms and soles of feet and hands, inside the mouth, and on nail beds.

Everyone should prioritize skin health and always be seen by a physician.

Think of it as protecting your skin and the progress you’re trying to make with your routine.

Because without it…. your kind of working against yourself.

4.) Switching Products Too Quickly.

We’ve all done this. Especially if you just purchased a new product or your favorite brand comes out with better packaging.

My personal guilty pleasure is Circadia lip hydrators. I’m kind of a hoarder when it comes to those. I have an infinite amount in my bag “just in case” then I’ll go and add another one to the collection.

So, in terms of new products. You test a new one out for a few days and then when you don’t see immediate results you may move on to the next “best” thing.

But skincare doesn’t work over night.

Most products need time and consistency to actually show results. Constantly switching products is a simple way to confuse your skin and make it harder to see what’s helping and what isn’t.

Patience isn’t the most exciting part of skincare… but it’s definetly the most rewarding and important part.

Something else I encourage is get in the habit of taking before and after pictures to update and see your results. If you are someone who regularly goes to an esthetician and you know they take photographs you can always ask to see them to see your results. And future students and current professionals remember pictures are a helpful tool to track progress and be updated if you may need to change your treatment plan.

5.) Not Actually Knowing Your True Skin Type.

This one is bigger than people realize. Skin is constantly changing and evolving with you and there are a multitude of factors than can alter your skin type such as humidity, climate, hormones, medication, etc..

A lot of skincare decisions are based on:

• Trends
• Recommendations from friends or family
• Or something that worked for someone online

But your skin is unique just like you.

Using products that aren’t appropriate for your skin type can lead to:

• Breakouts
• Dryness
• Irritation
• Sensitivity
• Or just no results at all

Understanding your skin is the foundation of building a routine that actually works.

The Takeaway

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being in the industry and through teaching, it’s this:

Good skincare isn’t about doing the most.

It’s about doing what’s right for your skin.

And sometimes that means simplifying your routine, being consistent, and giving your skin the time it needs to respond.

Because your skin doesn’t need perfection…. Or a 20-step routine…. or the best and newest product that’s trending.

Your skin doesn’t need more. It needs balance.

So, to refresh, here’s what actually matters:

• More products doesn’t mean better skin
• Over exfoliating will damage your barrier
• Sunscreen is non-negotiable
• Consistency > Trends
• Have your routine built for your skin

Join The Conversation:

What’s one skincare mistake you feel like you’ve made before?

Or something you didn’t realize until you started learning more about your skin?

If you made it to the end, congratulations you’re officially my new skin bestie. Don’t forget to email me your response and don’t forget to like and subscribe so we can keep learning, making better decisions, and glowing together.

behindtheglowstudio@gmail.com