Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but what you may not realize is your daily beauty habits can make them look deeper and more pronounced. To create a more youthful glow, avoid these common skincare and makeup mistakes, which highlight your wrinkles rather than softening them.
1. Not Using Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is much more soft and delicate than elsewhere on your face. It also has less collagen and elastin. Because of this, your eye area is more susceptible to developing wrinkles. Skipping eye cream can lead to deeper crow’s feet. Invest in a good eye cream with hydrating and firming ingredients like squalene and caffeine.
2. Over-Applying Powder
Powder is a great way to set your makeup and lock it in for the day. However, using too much powder or heavy matte formulas can make it settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them appear deeper. Only apply powder to your T-zone with a light hand or switch to a hydrating setting spray for a more youthful, dewy finish.
3. Skipping Sunscreen
You can cover up wrinkles with makeup, but failing to apply sunscreen daily accelerates skin aging, leading to more lines and dark aged spots. UV rays break down collagen, so make sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your routine to keep those lines at bay. Apply sunscreen every time you leave the house, then reapply every few hours – and don’t forget to slather it onto décolletage and hands, too. A craggy pigmented neck and hands will give your age away fast.
4. Using Matte Lipsticks
Matte lipsticks make sure that your pout doesn’t budge during the day, however, on mature skin matte lipsticks can make lips look dry and emphasize fine lines around the mouth. As your skin ages, choose creamy or glossy formulas that hydrate and create a plumper, more youthful appearance.
5. Applying Foundation with a Heavy Hand
As the skin ages, you might be inclined to layer on more and more foundation to cover these insecurities. However, a thick layer of foundation can settle into wrinkles, highlighting them instead of covering them. Use a lightweight, buildable formula and apply sparingly for a smoother look.
6. Ignoring Your Neck
Your neck is one of the first places where aging shows. Though we might not think about our décolletage, this could be the spot that gives away our age if we haven’t given it the TLC it deserves. Extend your skincare routine down using firming creams and regularly exfoliating the area to avoid the dreaded “turkey neck.”
7. Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliation is a great way to eliminate dead skin cells and keep our faces fresh. Though there is such a thing as too much exfoliation. Over-exfoliating can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it dry and more prone to wrinkles. Stick to gentle exfoliation once or twice a week to maintain smooth skin without irritation.
8. Using the Wrong Concealer
Concealer can cover almost any skin imperfection, from dark circles to wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes. But be careful you don’t use too much of it. Thick, dry concealers can settle into fine lines, especially under the eyes. Choose a hydrating formula that provides coverage without emphasizing wrinkles.
9. Skipping Primer
You might not think it’s a big deal, but skipping primer is a huge makeup faux pas. Not only does primer create a smooth base for makeup, but it can also help fill in fine lines, making wrinkles less noticeable. Always apply primer before foundation to achieve a more flawless finish.
10. Sleeping on Your Side
Beauty sleep is real, and depending on how you get your shut-eye, you could be causing yourself to develop wrinkles faster and more deeply. Sleeping on your side or even on your stomach can cause wrinkles to form on your face from the pressure against the pillow. Try sleeping on your back or invest in a silk pillowcase to minimize sleep lines.
11. Using Too Much Blush
Blush adds a natural glow to our faces after we layer foundation and concealer. But heavy blush can draw attention to wrinkles and make your face look older, particularly if it’s a powder blush. You only need to apply blush lightly to the apples of your cheeks, blending well for a natural, youthful glow. Or go for a cream formulation or illuminating highlighter.
12. Forgetting to Hydrate
You could be doing everything right when it comes to your makeup, but if you’re neglecting hydration, none of that will matter. Dehydrated skin looks dull and enhances the appearance of wrinkles. Not only should you be drinking plenty of water, but you should also be using hydrating serums and moisturizers to keep your skin plump and smooth.
13. Applying Makeup with Dirty Brushes
Washing your makeup brushes often feels like the last chore in the world that you’d want to do. However, dirty makeup brushes can lead to uneven application. Brushes that aren’t washed are filled with dirty, old products, which could be causing makeup to settle into fine lines. Clean your brushes regularly to ensure a smooth, even finish.
14. Over-Plucking Eyebrows
As we age, we develop wrinkles, and our eyebrows become sparse, too. Thinning out already sparse eyebrows can make your face look older and emphasize wrinkles around your eyes. Keep your brows full and natural to frame your face and soften your overall look.
15. Not Removing Makeup Properly
One of the worst things you can do to your skin is to go to bed with a full face of makeup. Sleeping with makeup on can clog pores and accelerate skin aging. Though it might be the last thing you want to do at night’s end, you must wash your makeup off to let your skin breathe. And if you wear heavy makeup or live in a polluted city, do a double cleanse to remove debris properly.