1. Pick at your skin. When you have a breakout or clogged pores, it’s natural to want it to go away fast. Why not move the process along, you think. And, the picking begins. For those of us who had acne as a teenager, these habits can continue into adulthood. Whatever you do, don’t pick! It can cause or further an infection, contribute to discoloration of the skin, even scarring. Not to mention that it’s counterproductive! It only delays the healing process instead of speeding it up. Apply a topical product designed to heal it fast. Don’t pick. (It’s very difficult to camouflage a scab on your face. It’s much easier to cover a blemish that has not been tampered with as you allow it to heal!)
   
   
2. Go to sleep with your makeup on. If you only have the energy to wash your face once a day, do it at night before you go to bed. Your skin, like the rest of you, needs a break. Even if all you can manage is to quickly wash your face (with a cleanser designed specifically for your face… no soap!) and slap on some moisturizer or hydrator, it’s better than nothing. In fact, keep your moisturizer by your bed so you only have to do one thing in an upright position! If you wear your makeup to bed, you’re grinding that product, along with dirt and grime from the day, into your skin, and wiping it off on your pillowcase. Do this on a regular basis, and it’s not a pretty picture, and it certainly isn’t healthy for your skin.
   
   
3. Leave your skin vulnerable to the sun.Apply sunscreen every single morning, all year round — no if’s, and’s or but’s. This is not a luxury (no matter who you are or how dark your skin is). It’s a necessity.

To set up a skincare consultation with me, please e-mail me at ginger@totalimageconsultants.com. You'll be asked to fill out the skincare profile form skincare profile form before the consultation and to bring your current skin products with you. See more information on the services page of my website here.