10 Crucial Skin Care Don’ts

#1: Using Past the Expiration Date
You MUST resist the urge (and frugal voice in your head) when it comes to keeping old skin care! Using skin care products – especially natural or organic skin care – past their recommended expiration date is inviting unwanted bacteria and germs onto your face, which can lead to skin irritation or unwanted breakouts. Expirations are also there to tell you when the product will start to naturally degrade, and lose much of its potency. Squeezing the last drop from an old facial serum (circa 2013) simply isn’t worth the risk.

#2: Exfoliating Incorrectly
This “skin care don’t” is a two-parter. Do you fall into the ‘I never exfoliate’ camp? Well if you aren’t scrubbing down, you should start today. Gentle exfoliating is key for removing dead skin cells, rough skin, and promoting skin cell turnover. Slough away dead dermal layers for a brighter, clearer face about 3-4 times a week. Are you a squeaky clean over-exfoliator? Put that scrub down, and step away from the sink: over-exfoliating (or being just plain aggressive with your scrubbing) could be causing micro rips and tears in your delicate skin. Look for scrubs that contain gentle exfoliation, instead of abrasive sugar or walnut shell scrubs (even those these are better for the environment than those plastic beads, they’ll too abrasive for your face). Our award-winning Acai Pulp Facial Scrub uses crushed acai berries and grape seeds to gently buff away dull or rough skin – be sure to gently massage into your skin and neck, instead of furiously scrubbing.

#3: Using PM Products During the Day
Uh oh! Did you miss those ‘PM or nighttime’ instructions on that face cream you applied this morning? There’s a reason products are exclusively used as nighttime skin care treatments, and there’s also a reason you shouldn’t be using them during the day. Typically, PM skin care formulas use specific brightening and anti-aging ingredients, such as retinol or Coq10, that rely on cover of darkness to work their magic on skin. When exposed to sunlight, retinol increases sensitivity and vulnerability in your skin, thus the “PM only” application when sun won’t be an issue. Always wear SPF the following day after using any PM labeled product; see #6 for details.

#4: Using Extra Hot or Scalding Water to Cleanse
Pain is beauty… ever heard that before? Well it’s time to ditch that out-dated mantra, and start by cutting skin some slack when twisting those sink knobs. During your morning or evening cleanse, make sure the water is warm to lukewarm and not scalding hot. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s most certainly too hot for your face. Using extremely hot water on your face isn’t helping, but rather stripping skin of its natural oils — not to mention running the serious risk for a first or second degree burn. The warmness of the water helps to open your pores and allows your cleanser to get rid of dirt and excess oil, but don’t take it to the extreme since the cons definitely outweigh the pros.

#5: Applying Body Creams to Your Face
Who doesn’t love multi-tasking?! It sounds like you’d be saving yourself some serious time (and maybe a little money) if you just slathered on one product everywhere, right? Think again. Natural body creams and lotions are specially formulated for the skin on our body. They’re formulated with ultra hydrating ingredients that might be too thick and moisturizing for our thinner, more delicate facial skin. Our feet and hands have much thicker skin when compared to our eye area, so body lotions need to penetrate deeper to work, and are therefore often formulated with more aggressive moisturizers that may be too heavy for facial skin. Nourish and treat your skin with the correct natural formula targeted for each specific body part, versus penny pinching or time-saving with the one-and-done method.

#6: Forgetting to Use SPF After Retinol Treatments
Expanding on #3, another skin care no-no is disregarding the instructions “next day, follow up with a broad spectrum SPF.” It’s not just another up-sell marketing tactic – dermatologists everywhere would agree that it’s a real skin care regime must. Our potent vegan retinol is derived from carrot seeds, and helps even your complexion while you sleep by helping to erase layers of damage. When you wake up the next morning, it’s as though there is “new” skin exposed, which is delicate and sensitive. Natural SPF like the Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30 is critical for protection against the sun, and helps not undo last night’s skin care work.

#7: Not Finding Out Your Skin Type – and Using the Wrong Products
Did you know that 100% PURE has a licensed esthetician who’s ready to give you a personal skincare consultation? Now you have no excuse for not knowing your exact skin type. We’re skincare junkies too and ready to chat on the phone, consult in our retail stores, or via email about what products are best for your specific skin type. There’s no need to try and guess if you need natural skincare products for oily skin, when what your skin type truly needs is the perfect combination skin routine. Who knew it could be that easy! We’re here, and we’re ready to help you achieve #skingoals.

#8: Product Overload
Inspired by those Instagram snaps of overflowing medicine cabinets and vanities full of gorgeous organic skin care? While we do sometimes get a smidge jealous of all that eye candy in one bathroom, we’re hoping that our fellow skin care junkies are swapping out products accordingly. There’s no need to be going gangbusters with a 60 product skin care routine every day; there’s a tipping point where your skin taps out and is officially overloaded. Your skin will tell you when it’s over-treated with breakouts, excessive dryness, or even excess oil if you’re using too many products. While we’re all for doubling or even tripling down on a natural serum, it’s better to switch products in and out of your routine rather than wasting precious time and products.

#9: Don’t Trust Every Tip on the Internet
If this could be a whole separate blog post, we’d be able to write volumes on this topic. Please, please don’t always trust what you read on the internet (for so many reasons). The beauty bloggers writing might not be out there hoping to intentionally hurt you, but can definitely lack the expertise and in-depth knowledge on certain topics. We were recently browsing through our regular beauty blog roster, and couldn’t believe our eyes when one of our regulars touted that bathing in bleach helps with her bacne (acne on your back). Abort, abort! While we appreciate her insight and bravado for being the guinea pig on this controversial method, under no circumstances would we condone soaking in a harsh chemical as the one-stop-solution to getting rid of acne. While this might be one of the more extreme DIY tips gone awry, we’d implore our readers to do what you do best: stay vigilant and read that ingredient list. Oh, and don’t trust just any average Joe out there with a blog!

#10: Not applying Products in the Correct Order
Now that you know what your skin type is (check!), let’s make sure you are applying your natural skin care products in the proper order. Did you catch our 10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine post? If 10 steps in your skincare routine seems a little too daunting (don’t worry, you’ll get there), here’s a helpful guide to the correct order for perfect layering. Correctly layering your skincare products matters because each formula has different sized molecules and nutrients that need to be delivered in the correct order for maximum benefits and potency.

Skincare Layering Cheat Sheet*

Cleanser
The first step in any skincare regimen, cleansing removes dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. The Pore Detox Herbal Cleanser goes beyond mere cleaning; it’s formulated to detoxify and refine pores with green clay and antibacterial herbs, ensuring a purified and remineralized skin foundation without stripping it of its natural oils.

Exfoliator
Exfoliation is crucial for removing dead skin cells that clog pores and cause dullness. Our 7% Fruit Acids Apple Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser combines fruit acids and enzymes to gently resurface the skin, unclog pores, and promote a more even skin tone and texture, revealing a brighter, smoother complexion.

Toner
Toning is an essential step that often goes overlooked. It helps to balance the skin’s pH and hydrates, preparing the skin for better absorption of subsequent products like serums and moisturizers. In our Flower Water Toner, ingredients like rose and calendula hydrosols soothe and nourish the skin, while hyaluronic acid locks in moisture.

Serum
Serums are concentrated solutions targeting specific skin concerns. In our Bakuchiol Oil Serum, bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol, offers anti-aging benefits without irritation, promoting a softer, more youthful complexion. Applying this before heavier creams ensures its active ingredients penetrate deeply.

Sheet or Hydrogel Mask
Masks are a boost; and ones like our Collagen Boost Sheet Mask deliver high concentrations of actives like ginseng and vitamin C to stimulate collagen production, improving skin firmness and reducing lines. This step infuses the skin with a surge of hydration and nutrients for an immediate visible effect.

Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate, requiring a specialized product. In our Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, caffeine helps reduce puffiness and dark circles, while antioxidants and vitamins support skin health, addressing signs of aging and fatigue specifically in the eye area.

Moisturizer
Moisturizing is essential for all skin types to lock in hydration and protect the skin barrier. Our Mushroom Peptide Moisturizer, with medicinal mushrooms and quinoa peptides, offers deep hydration and improves skin’s firmness and elasticity, combating signs of aging and environmental stressors.

Night Balm
Nighttime is when the skin repairs itself. A restorative balm like our Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm supports this natural process by enhancing skin renewal, improving firmness and tone, and deeply moisturizing with plant oils. It ensures you wake up to a more radiant and youthful complexion.

* Feel free to skip over products if you are not using them in your routine.

Why is using expired skin care products a bad idea?

Using expired skin care products is not recommended because the active ingredients in these products can degrade over time, reducing their effectiveness. Moreover, expired products may harbor bacteria or fungi, posing a risk of skin irritation, infections, or allergic reactions. The consistency, color, and scent of a product can change as it expires, further indicating that it’s not safe to use. Always check the expiration date and any changes in the product’s appearance or smell as indicators that it’s time to dispose of it.

What are the risks of over-exfoliating or not exfoliating enough?

Over-exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation, sensitivity, and increased vulnerability to environmental damage. It can cause a compromised skin barrier, resulting in dryness, flakiness, redness, and even breakouts as the skin tries to repair itself.

Not exfoliating enough can lead to the buildup of dead skin cells, causing the skin to appear dull and feel rough. It can also clog pores, leading to acne, blackheads, and other types of breakouts. Finding a balance in exfoliation is key to maintaining smooth, clear, and radiant skin.

Why shouldn’t you use PM/nighttime skin care products during the day?

PM or nighttime skin care products are typically formulated with active ingredients like retinol, which can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, leading to potential damage when exposed to UV rays. These products are designed to support the skin’s natural repair processes, which are more active at night. Using them during the day can negate their benefits and increase the risk of sun damage. Furthermore, many nighttime products are richer and designed to deeply moisturize over several hours, which might not be suitable under makeup or in daily activities.

How can using very hot water to cleanse damage your skin?

Using very hot water to cleanse the face can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Hot water can also weaken the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental stressors and pollutants. This can accelerate aging and exacerbate conditions like eczema or rosacea. Lukewarm water is recommended for cleansing as it effectively removes dirt and makeup without causing undue stress on the skin.

What’s the problem with using body lotions on your face?

Body lotions are generally formulated to be thicker and may contain fragrances and ingredients that are too harsh for the delicate facial skin. Using them on the face can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation. Facial skin is thinner and more sensitive than body skin, requiring products specifically formulated to address its unique needs and concerns. Facial moisturizers are designed to provide the right balance of hydration without overloading the skin, containing active ingredients targeted at facial skin issues.