The 3 Worst Ways to Ruin Your Skin

It’s important to know what to do right with your skin, like protecting your natural barrier, using the right combination of active ingredients, and sticking to a comprehensive skincare routine. 

But you also need to learn what not to do and avoid those things - because you can really sabotage your skin if you stick to some bad practices. Here are the 3 worst ways you can ruin your skin, and how to avoid these faux pas for good. 

1 - Overdoing It 

Guys, chill out. The number one mistake men make with their skin is just doing too much by over-cleansing, scrubbing too hard, or using cleansers with harsh ingredients. 

This is something that people have been wrong about for decades and continue to be confused about. Some guys think they need to strip every drop of oil from their skin and scrub at it with astringents, harsh exfoliants, and acid-rich cleansers.  

The problem? That’s not what your skin needs. It has a “natural barrier,” or stratum corneum, composed of proteins, lipids, and cells. This barrier is crucial to healthy skin, as it helps: 

• Maintain balanced water content 
• Prevent and respond to bacteria
• Reduce the effect of UV light exposure 
• Mitigate the effects of oxidative stress 

But when you over-wash your skin or apply harsh products and acids, you quite literally wash that barrier away. Over time, this can lead to: 

• Dryness and flaking (which can turn into full-blown rosacea and eczema) 
• Acne and other skin infections 
• More fine lines and wrinkles 
• Increased oxidative stress and visible signs of aging like dark spots 
• Loss of elasticity  

That’s basically everything you’re trying to avoid. So take it easy on your skin in order to look your best. And choose gentle, natural skincare products that won’t irritate your skin. For guys with sensitive skin, our Purifying Charcoal Face Wash is a great choice. Its gentle cleansers get rid of excess oil and dirt without over-drying.

2 - Skipping the Sunscreen  

This common mistake is more costly than you might realize. When it comes to your skincare routine, sunscreen isn’t a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have.

Here’s why it matters so much: UV exposure accounts for 80% of the visible signs of aging, which means that 80% of those wrinkles on your face are caused by the sun. And the consequences of UV exposure don’t end there. They can also cause:

• Increased inflammation 
• Immune changes 
• Impaired wound healing 
• DNA damage that can lead to cancer 

To avoid all these issues as much as possible, use sunscreen everyday. It’s a simple solution to a huge problem - the sooner you make it part of your daily routine, the better.

For the best results, use a mineral based product with SPF 20 or higher on your face - like our Daily Defense Face Moisturizer. For the rest of you, we’ve got you covered with our mineral based SPF 45 Element Defense Moisturizer.

3 - Using Products that Irritate Your Skin

Not all skincare products are created equal. There are some that you shouldn’t keep using -- and your skin will tell you so. Please listen.

Confused? You may have heard that when you start a new skincare routine or try a new product, it may cause you to break out or react.

This usually isn’t true. More often than not, products cause your skin to break out because they are: 

• Stripping away your natural barrier and damaging your skin with harsh ingredients
• Clogging your pores 
• Causing an allergic reaction  

If you experience a significant breakout after using a new skincare product, stop using it immediately. You can spot test it on your skin again if you’re not sure if the product was the cause. But if any product you use is causing significant irritation, you should consider a different option. This is also why you’ll only find gentle, natural and organic ingredients in all of our skincare products.  

Another big culprit behind skin irritation from skincare products? Fragrance. Opting for products that are scented with essential oils - or unscented - is a safer choice, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

Avoid these three bad habits that ruin your skin -- and stick to a comprehensive skincare routine -- and your skin will look younger and clearer for years to come.