With so many products available and so many recommendations from experts, beauty routines can become time-consuming and complicated. Many of the things you do on a regular basis might not be necessary or could even be doing more harm than good. Here are some changes you can make to your beauty routine.
• Toners are often not necessary. In the past, cleansers were not pH-balanced and left an acidic residue on the skin that toners balanced. Modern cleansers are pH-balanced, so it is not necessary to use a toner. Some toners contain active ingredients that can be helpful for treating specific conditions, but ones that contain alcohol can dry out your skin.
• You should only exfoliate your skin two or three times a week. Doing it more than that can make your skin irritated and inflamed.
• Too much moisturizer can cause you to break out or make you age prematurely. Use enough moisturizer to make your skin feel clean and healthy, but don’t use too much.
• Bubble baths contain soap and alcohol that can dry out skin. It is better to use a product with ingredients like honey, oatmeal, or milk that soothe skin.
• Lining your eyes and then curling your lashes can take off the liner when you release the curler. Curl your lashes first.
• If you want fuller eyebrows, stop plucking. Have them shaped by a professional once a month or every other month.
• Styling your hair every day can cause damage. Let your hair air-dry and embrace your natural texture or put your hair in a topknot or braid.
• If you buff your nails before applying nail polish, that is not necessary. Nail polish adheres better to a smooth than an etched surface. Buffing your nails for every manicure can also thin out your nails. You should file and push your cuticles, but you do not need to buff your nails.
• Don’t cut your cuticles. They are there to protect your nails from infection, and cutting them the wrong way can invite bacteria. Push down on your cuticles with a nail stick wrapped in cotton.
• Picking out dirt from under your nails can irritate the skin and shorten your nail beds. Clean out under your nails with alcohol and a disposable mascara wand. You can also scratch a bar of soap and then wash your hands.