By: Maggie Polsean
Everyone wants picture-perfect glowing skin, but not everyone has the time or money to get a facial every week. Knowing what to do and what not to do when taking care of your skin is important, especially if you are doing it all on your own.
Lexi Nordheim, a freelance makeup artist and esthetician based out of Los Angeles, spoke toLivelyabout the do's and don'ts of keeping skin flawless. Here’s what she had to say.
DO Exfoliate
"Exfoliating needs to be a key component in your skincare regime,” says Nordheim. Dried out skin means flaky skin and that flakiness can cause redness and irritation. Using an exfoliant to get rid of dead skin cells will keep your skin from getting flaky and it will help moisture seep into your skin more efficiently. "It's essential that you don’t over-exfoliate your skin; once or twice a week is perfect,” says Nordheim.
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DON'T Use Expired Products
Over time, products become contaminated with germs and bacteria, making them unsafe to use. "Just like the food you eat begins to expire, so does your makeup, cleansers, moisturizers, etc.," says Nordheim. "The expired products do not hold the same benefits as they did when you first bought them and results of using them after expiration may result in infections, breakouts, allergic reactions and irritations."
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DO Cleanse and Moisturize
Cleansing and moisturizing are crucial to great skin, according to Nordheim. "Throughout the day you are collecting particles and bacteria … and laying down for bed without washing your face puts all of the daily bacteria and particles on your pillow,” says Nordheim. She suggests taking the time to wash your face in the morning and in the evening, followed by a moisturizer, to keep your skin clean. "Moisturizers help to restore and replenish the skin with all of the nutrients and vitamins that your skin needs," she says. "Invest in a good moisturizer; it'll be your best friend."
DON'T Pick at Blemishes
Sometimes it's hard to resist but picking at your skin is a big no-no when it comes to keeping your skin clear and healthy. "When you pop or pick a blemish, you are spreading the bacteria, which may spread and create even more pimples," says Nordheim. "Picking at your skin and interrupting the healing process may leave your skin temporarily scarred, and if done repetitively, permanently scarred."
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DO Have a Daily Skincare Routine
"A good skincare regime does not need to take you more than five minutes in the morning and five minutes before bed," says Nordheim. "Every day, at-home skincare is essential." However, she suggests seeing a specialist for a skin evaluation to find out what type of skin you have and to find a skincare system that works best for you. "Seeing an esthetician regularly will help you stay on track with your at-home regime, improving the appearance of your skin and change the health of your skin overall," says Nordheim.
DON'T Sleep with Makeup On
Even though the product may say it lasts for 24 hours, it may not be best to leave it on your face for that long. "Going to bed without washing your face is bad enough by itself, going to bed with makeup on is unsafe," says Nordheim. "Leaving these products on for [a] long period of time puts you and your skin at risk of infections, allergies and chemical reactions." Do yourself and your skin a big favor, and make sure you take off your makeup before calling it a night.