The skin is our largest organ and we tend to be pretty hard on it. Its job is to protect us from environmental aggressors while also regulating our heat sensations. Skin is also responsible for physical sensation- our sense of touch. These days we’re all becoming more knowledgeable about what we should be doing to protect and nourish our skin, but what about the no-nos? Let’s review those”¦
1. Tanning
Tanning should be avoided like the plague whether it’s outdoors or in a tanning bed. Tans are produced by harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or UV tanning lamps. If you have a tan, guess what? You’ve sustained skin cell damage. While you might know that tanning beds are breeding grounds for bacteria (yuck!), what they do to your skin is worse. Several studies show that indoor tanners are more than 70 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned in a bed. The bottom line: keep out of UV beds and the sun to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy.
To enjoy the look of beautifully bronzed skin without sun or tanning-bed damage, try MyChelle Del Sol Sunless Tanner. Natural sugars from beets, sugar cane and other plants react with the skin’s surface to safely give a natural-looking “tan.” Licorice and aloe are added to soothe, repair and hydrate for skin that stays youthfully glowing.
2. Skipping cleansing
Skin accumulates dirt and bacteria throughout the day. One thing really wreaks havoc on your complexion is to continually go to bed with a face full of day-old makeup. Not only does it clog pores and cause breakouts, but over time it can lead to premature aging. Incorporate a good detoxifying cleanser into your nightly routine and make it a habit to wash away the day.
The MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Cleanser is perfect for all skin types, including sensitive. This soapy, sudsy cleanser will remove surface impurities while the unique multi-fruit AHAs gently exfoliate skin leaving you with a glowing complexion. This gentle, deep cleanser also contains the strengthening antioxidant turmeric, which keeps skin calm and eases irritation. Fructooligosaccharides (from sugar) promote and protect skin’s health.
3. Touching, picking & popping
Stop picking, squeezing, popping and pulling at your skin! Your hands are covered in bacteria, so when you dig your fingers into your skin, you’re placing dirt, debris and other irritants directly on and into surface. If you have an issue with blackheads or pimples and want to get help extracting them, call your local spa and schedule an appointment with a licensed esthetician. These skincare experts are trained professionals who can properly extract bacteria from skin without causing damage.
For an at-home DIY fix, try the MyChelle Cranberry Mud Mask to deeply purify and calm skin where problems start. A blend of richly detoxifying kaolin and bentonite clays absorbs excess oil and debris from pores, while Totarolâ„¢ purifies and balances. Cranberry extract, known as one of the “super fruits” for its high antioxidant content, helps support skin and give it a luminescent glow. Also use something like the Clear Skin Spot Treatment to counter-balance. Six percent sulphur works to purify, unclog pores and dry excess oil while zinc aids repair and speeds skin’s recovery.
4. Getting rough
Exfoliation is great, but too much of a good thing can be bad. Regular exfoliation is essential to healthy, balanced skin. Cellular turnover is enhanced, helping skin to kick in its own innate self-rejuvenating and repair mechanisms, allowing your skin to act younger, healthier and appear more vibrant. Over-exfoliation, however, can be damaging, causing dryness, irritation, inflammation and, in the long run, leading to damaged capillaries and thinning skin.
Exfoliate one to three times per week, rotating between a few days at a time. MyChelle exfoliators smooth the look of wrinkles, unclog pores and clear the way for other products to work more effectively. Our powerhouse treatments feature fruit acids and pulps for a skin-brightening and cellular-regenerating effect. For an easy-to-use treatment that’s perfect for all skin types, try our Incredible Pumpkin Peel. Exfoliate and deeply nourish your skin with this award-winning formula of pumpkin pulp, enzymes and fermented juice. Loaded with antioxidants, this fortifying peel rejuvenates and supports cellular integrity while clearing pores and aiding detoxification. Skin is left feeling incredibly soft, smooth and clean with a renewed healthy glow. Due to the highly effective nature of this peel, a patch test is recommended prior to use. Again remember use only one to three times per week–no more!
5. Smoking
The last thing you should ever do is smoke. The reasons why are endless (cancer, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, etc.) but when it comes to skin, smoking accelerates the aging process. Next to sun exposure, smoking is the highest factor in wrinkling. So, yes–it’s true. Smoking will make you look older. The nicotine in cigarette smoke also causes damage to the small blood vessels and capillaries of the skin. Diminishing circulation caused by smoking deprives the skin of the vital oxygen it needs to create and maintain healthy skin. All in all, this habit is a bad one with lasting, visible effects.