The Skincare Mistakes I Wish I had Known About In My Youth

About a year or so ago I started to notice some not so great changes in my skin and the skincare mistakes that may have led to them.

It started off by noticing the wrinkles in my forehead. I couldn’t believe at the age of 28 I had them. 

Then a few months ago I was putting on some powder eyeshadow and noticed my eyelid skin was saggy and wrinkly. It was the first time in a while I had put on powder eye shadow and was mortified to see how unfirm my skin has become. 

I knew I had to do something about my skin so I bought some new products and added skincare into my nightly routine. 

I really wish I would have put more effort into caring about my skin when I was younger so I wouldn’t have the flaws I do now. Of course, I have learned to live with them and the fact that we all age and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

I can’t help but wonder if I had known what I know now about skincare if my skin would be in better shape now.

I will never know, but if I could go back in time and tell myself to avoid these 5 skincare mistakes I definitely would!

Mistake # 1: Not Quitting Smoking Sooner

I had my first cigarette when I was 15 at a football game. 

I smoked occasionally until I turned 18. 

Then I started buying my own packs while still hiding my bad habit from my parents.

But once I moved away to college I became a full-time smoker.

I quit smoking cold turkey 1 year 7 months and 10 days ago at the age of 27.

I don’t regret smoking altogether, but I do wish I would have quit sooner maybe when I was 25 or younger. 

This is probably the biggest skincare mistake I have made on this whole list.

Of course, there’s no way to know for sure if smoking is the result of aging that has appeared within the last year.

I HIGHLY recommend anyone no matter what age they are to quit smoking. 

Or better yet just never start and save that precious skin and body of yours.

Mistake # 2: Not Wearing Sunscreen Everyday

I always put on sunscreen as a child when we went outside in the summer for long periods of time. If we were outside for several hours we would always reapply sunscreen. 

I continued this habit as an adult, but I am ashamed to say that only recently did I realize I was supposed to wear sunscreen on my face every day (google it if you don’t believe me).

No matter how long you are outside, no matter what season you are in, you are supposed to wear sunscreen on your face. 

To be totally honest I still make this skincare mistake and am working on making this a habit. 

Mistake # 3: Not Drinking Enough Water

In my youth, I rarely drank water. Within the last 3 years, I’ve made it a habit to keep water bottles nearby at work and at home. 

Nowadays, I drink roughly 16-32 ounces a day of straight water. 

Mistake # 4: Not Using Natural Organic Products

I am probably not the only one to realize that organic and natural products are better for your skin.

This has become a hot topic recently and many sources have pointed out the harsh chemicals and toxins that are in beauty products.

Recently, I have become interested in making my own beauty and skincare products and will continue to do so.

I also have been buying organic only products to supplement what I cannot make myself. 

Mistake # 5: Not Washing Off Makeup 

I am so guilty of this. I have always known you should wash your makeup off before going to bed.

However, due to the laziness and long nights of my youth I used to fall asleep with makeup still on. 

Fast forward to now and you rarely catch me with makeup on at all.

If I am wearing makeup I take it off before I go to bed which is now part of my nightly routine.

Are you guilty of these?

Have you made any of these skincare mistakes or others that are not on this list? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Rachel

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