Lily
was a bright and cheerful teenage young girl who had a passion for art and
spending time with her friend. However, she had one constant companion that
often made her feel self-conscious: acne. Like many teenagers and young adults,
Lily experienced occasional breakouts and blemishes on her face. At times, she
felt frustrated and embarrassed by her skin condition thinking she was the only
one facing this challenge. But little did she know that acne was a perfectly
normal part of life for many people, especially during their teenage and early
years. 

Lily's
story resonates deeply within us all, for we all have been Lily and Lily has
been us. This is because, as
Lily's tale beautifully illustrates, acne is one of the most common
skincare concerns that affect people of all ages, particularly teenagers. While
various factors contribute to acne, such as hormonal changes, genetics, and
environmental pollution, several skincare mistakes can make the condition
worse.

I
know. Skincare and mistake should not be in the same sentence. We carry out
skincare routines to achieve clear and healthy skin but where mistakes come in,
the result is the opposite of what we seek to achieve.

Regrettably, many of us are on this
bandwagon without realizing it. Some are making these skincare mistakes with
their ‘full chest’ thinking they are
doing right by their skin.

But fear not, dear readers, for the
remedy to your skincare woes is at hand.&nbsp;

In
this article, we will expose some of the biggest skincare mistakes you might be
making that are causing you acne. As you catch your sub, try and stop whatever
mistake you are making and you will be on your jolly way to healthier and
clearer skin.

Here
are five skincare mistakes you are probably making:

Skincare Mistake #1: Overwashing or
Harsh Scrubbing of the Face

Many of you are making this blunder, especially those
with oily skin type or acne-prone skin. The recommended time to wash one’s face
is in the morning and the night before going to bed. But no oh, all you strong
heads who believe they know it all, yes I am talking to you, will wash their
face up to five times a day. To make matters worse, some of you use your body
sponge or loofah to harshly scrub your face, thinking you are properly washing
your face. 

Washing your face more than twice a day and harshly
scrubbing your face are skincare mistakes that are making you breakout. This is
because these acts damage your skin barrier leaving it to be irritated, very
sensitive, and very dry which your skin will respond by being inflamed and producing
more oil. With a damaged skin barrier which triggers inflammation and excessive
oil production, your skin becomes more prone to breakouts and inflammations. 

To avoid damaging your skin barrier, please stick to
washing your face in the morning and before bed with a gentle cleanser. Also,
stop using your sponge or loofah on your face. Just stick to using your hands.
If you are too paranoid, then you can invest in an exfoliating brush which is
created not to irritate the skin on your face. 

Skincare Mistake #2: Skipping
Moisturizer

Allow me to clarify the
misconception surrounding the application of cream or moisturizer on your face,
especially for those with oily skin. Some individuals believe that applying
cream will clog their pores and lead to breakouts. However, this is a mistaken
belief. In reality, not moisturizing your face can actually result in dry skin,
triggering increased oil production and clogged pores.

To put it simply: excessive oil
production + clogged pores = breakouts and acne.

Regardless of your skin type, it is
essential to moisturize your face. Let this be ingrained in your skincare
knowledge. Investing in a lightweight and hydrating moisturizer is crucial.
After washing your face, make it a habit to apply moisturizer as part of your
skincare routine. By doing so, you'll maintain balanced and healthier skin. So,
dear readers, embrace the power of moisturizing and stop skipping this vital step.

Skincare Mistake #3: Touching,
Picking and Squeezing Your Acne

We all find it tempting to pick at our acne, even I am
occasionally guilty of this habit. The satisfaction of getting rid of those
bothersome and sometimes painful pimples is undeniable. However, it's important
to realize that this habit actually worsens our skin condition. When we pick at
a zit, we introduce and spread more bacteria, leading to further acne
breakouts. Additionally, it can result in permanent scarring on our face. In
our pursuit of clear skin, we certainly don't want more blemishes. So, it's
crucial to resist the urge to pick and instead opt for applying topical acne
medications or seeking professional help for extraction. If neither of these
options is available, simply leave the pimple alone. It will eventually fade
away on its own.

Skincare Mistake #4: Not Using
Sunscreen

Did you know that skipping sunscreen is the culprit behind
your persistent breakouts? E shock you? Allow me to enlighten you. When you neglect sunscreen, your
skin becomes vulnerable to harmful UV rays from the sun, which can dry it out
and trigger excessive oil production. And as we all know, an excess of oil
often leads to those dreaded breakouts. So, my dear, sunscreen is not an
optional step if you desire clear and healthy skin. Besides aggravating acne,
sun exposure can also contribute to premature signs of ageing, sunburn, and
even skin cancer.

From this day forward, let sunscreen become your closest
ally. Invest in a suitable, lightweight sunscreen that doesn't leave a white
residue, and prioritize its regular application for optimal skin protection.

Skincare Mistake #5: Not Consulting
A Dermatologist

Attention
to all my fellow Nigerians, let's address a common skincare mistake we often
make. We tend to consider ourselves self-proclaimed skincare experts, trying
every product under the sun to treat our acne issues. However, when these
attempts don't yield the desired results, we suddenly remember the existence of
dermatologists. It's quite amusing, isn't it?

It's
high time we adopted the practice of consulting dermatologists at the earliest
opportunity. By doing so, we allow these professionals to prescribe the most
suitable products and routines to effectively address our acne concerns once
and for all, without the need for trial and error on our part. And here's the
best part: it saves us money, as we won't have to keep purchasing countless
products in our quest to find a cure for our acne. In short, always consult a
dermatologist. Always!

So,
if you want your skincare routine to be effective and get rid of those annoying
acne, then stop making these mistakes and follow the tips pointed out in this
article. Remember, your skin is a reflection of who you are. Take care of it.

Discover the five biggest skincare mistakes that may be causing your acne. Learn how to avoid them and achieve clear, healthy skin.