HELL NO: Washing your face with hot water
Heat is great for skin – it helps to soften it, and soft skin = products working the way they’re supposed to by sinking in and clearing out gunk. But too much heat? Hello redness, irritation and even pimples that look way worse than they did before. “You should always cleanse skin with lukewarm water. It’s totally fine to wash your face in the shower, even – just don’t put your face under the shower head. Instead, splash the water onto your skin,” explains Jocelyn.
HELL NO: Not moisturising
“It’s so not true that moisturising will make pimples worse!” says Jocelyn. “It’s a total myth.” All skin types should be using moisturiser morning and night – and don’t be afraid of oils, either. “Some oils, like lime and ylang ylang, are great for people with oily skin because they help balance overactive sebaceous glands, which produce the excess oil,” Jocelyn says. Worried about breakouts still? Treat them separately with a spot gel. They’re not connected to moisturising your face.
HELL NO: Putting cleanser on dry skin
Cleansers are your one-way ticket to fresh, breakout free skin – but if you’re using them the wrong way, you’re totally not getting the benefits you could be getting from them! “Cleanser on dry skin won’t be as effective. Skin is like a sponge, so damp skin will always make a cleanser work better. You’ll get a more thorough cleanse because the product can work deeper,” says Jocelyn.
HELL NO: Using the wrong products for your skin type
If you aren’t sure which products to use on your skin, Jocelyn suggests sticking with a gentle cleanser that’s listed as safe for all skin types. Why? “Cleansers for specific skin issues like acne need to only be used if you definitely have that skin type. If not, the active ingredients can dry out your skin or make it irritated,” she says. If you do want to go with a cleansing routine that is specific for your skin type, or you think you might have acne, the best thing to do is see a reputable beauty therapist or dermatologist to get confirmation.
It's STILL not fixed, though!
If you’ve still got major skin dramz, it’s worth visiting a skin expert. Find someone who is highly recommended, so you know they’re worth the $$. “You want to be able to sit down and talk about your skin, what’s worked and not worked for it and so on so you can really figure out what will give you the results you want,” says Jocelyn. Another option is seeing a dermatologist – def recommended if you think you have acne or very sensitive skin!
Jocelyn's faves!
Coz a beauty therapist who treats celebs TOTALLY knows what’s up when it comes to skincare.
Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming gel cleanser, $25.99
Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Serum Mild, $99