We have all been on the receiving end of a barrage of information through television, the internet, magazine articles and our treating practitioners on the best way to look after our skin. Information ranging from telling us what products we should be using and when we should be using it. Through all those good intentions there are commonly three major skin care mistakes that almost everyone is guilty of, even if just occasionally.

Skin Sin #1 - going to sleep with make up on

I know we have all been there before. It's been a long day at the office, you might catch up with a girlfriend to unwind at the end of the day before heading home to indulge in Netflix and eventually slump into bed ready to do it all again the next day. The last thing we feel like doing is washing our make up off before we lay down for our beauty sleep.

Why is it so bad to sleep with make up on?

Makeup traps free radicals throughout the day, most often through pollution. These free radicals cause collagen to breakdown which results in premature ageing and fine lines. Not to mention your eye make up could cause eye irritation and a build up of bacteria leading to infection. Sure, one night sleeping in your makeup won't make you wake up looking 20 years older with a puffy eye, just don't make a habit out of it.

Osmosis MD Cleanse gently removes dirt, make up and environmental pollutants without stripping or drying your skin.

Skin Sin #2 - using the wrong moisturiser

Skin Sin #3 - misusing your sunscreen

Ok, ok, so we know we sound like a broken record. We cannot stress enough the importance of using sunscreen. Every. Single. Day. Yes, that includes days that are overcast and rainy as there is still UV radiation present. UV exposure causes DNA changes to your skin which can lead to premature ageing and skin cancer. 

So how do people commonly misuse sunscreen?

Other than not using it everyday the most common sunscreen sin is not using enough. As a rule your face requires 5ml which is 1 teaspoon of sunscreen. Applying sunscreen to the neck, décolletage and hands is also a must. Remember that all areas exposed to UV exposure should have sunscreen applied.

When asked what the best sunscreen is we always say "the best sunscreen is the one you will use". Having said that there are some sunscreens that we find our patients repurchase time and time again as they love to use them.

Moisturising and oil free, SkinCeuticals Facial Defense SPF50 not only provides very high UVA and UVB protection but is also an excellent base for makeup.