While some corners of the skincare industry are trying to sell us £200 face creams or convince us that we need to adopt a 10-step routine every night, others are out there with very practical, no-nonsense advice.
Take Dr. Justine Kluk, a consultant dermatologist and acne expert, who regularly shares advice on healthy skin via her newsletter and social media channels.
Recently, Kluk took to Instagram to share a list of the common mistakes that make dermatologists like her shudder when they witness them - and it was certainly enlightening (washing your face with shampoo now and again? Guilty!)
From the nail salons you should always avoid to the worst thing you can do for spotty skin, read on for her insights into the stuff we need to stop right now.
Bare feet at a public swimming pool
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| Dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk regularly shares advice on social media |
‘I can’t help it—whenever I see someone casually strolling barefoot across those warm, damp tiles, my mind jumps straight to verrucas (plantar warts). These pesky growths are caused by a contagious virus (HPV) that loves the humid, communal poolside environment. Flip-flops aren’t just a fashion choice—they’re self-defence!’
Washing your face with shower gel or shampoo
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| barefoot at the pool? you might regret it |
‘I’ve been that person—standing in a hotel bathroom or gym changing room, realising I left my cleanser at home. But using shampoo or that industrial-strength shower gel is a guaranteed way to end up with tight, dry, uncomfortable skin.
‘If you’re stuck, body lotion is a gentler option. You can massage it in to loosen makeup, and it rinses off with warm water. Or—pro tip—keep a mini bottle of micellar water in your gym bag. You’ll never be caught out again.’
Using the same flannel again and again
‘A damp flannel hanging in the shower for days? Perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Have a few and rotate after use.’
Getting a pedicure somewhere that skips proper hygiene
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| if the hygiene looks dodgy, swerve the salon |
‘A blissful treat can turn into a dermatology nightmare if the salon doesn’t disinfect the foot bath or properly sterilise tools between clients. Fungal infections, verrucas & even bacterial skin infections are all too common when cleanliness takes a back seat. If you don’t see metal tools coming straight from a sealed pouch, run. Putting one end of a double-sided tool in a jar of Barbicide doesn’t disinfect the other side.’
Scrubbing spots with gritty exfoliators
‘Scrubbing doesn’t ‘clean’ your skin—it just causes more inflammation (redness, bumpiness and swelling).’
Sunbathing like it’s 1995
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| harsh exfoliators will not help acne-prone skin |
‘When I see people lying out in the sun, frying themselves to a crisp, I genuinely wonder… how did you miss the memo?! Sunburn, strap marks, skin cancer, and premature sagging aren’t a vibe. There’s nothing attractive about lobster-red shoulders and leathery skin.’
via. dailymail
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