Before you apply yet another anti-aging cream, serum, or other product, stop right there you could be using it all wrong. Many people are unknowingly applying some of the most effective ingredients to their skin all wrong. As a result, they are wasting both precious time and money on products that could be effective if used correctly. From sunscreen tips to retinol mistakes, these are the anti-aging products skincare experts say youre using all wrong.

For starters, you are probably not applying sunscreen daily, which means youre missing out on opportunities to protect your skin from the damaging, aging effects of UV light, whether its July or December.

Preventative care is the most important step inanti-aging, says Dr. Adrienne OConnell, medical director and president ofLaguna Beach Aesthetics. You must wear sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum) with an SPF 30 or higher every single day, no matter the weather. I highly recommend a 100% mineral sunscreen, which is much safer for sensitive skin and contains no added chemicals.

The second most misused product is Retinol, according to Dr. OConnell.As the ultimate go-to skincare ingredient for a younger look, retinol speeds up your cell turnover so your body can replace damaged surface cells with brighter, younger skin cells, Dr. OConnell says.More is not better when it comes to this product. It can over-dry or irritate your skin.It is also dangerous to use in the morning because it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

If you choose to use a Retinol product, Dr. OConnell says it is best used at night and washed off in the morning.You also must apply sunscreen in the morning as an added precaution, Dr. OConnell says.Also, start slow.Use the product once a week and gradually increase until you are using it according to the products instructions and never use more than the instructions direct you to.

Often, people buy the products they see on TV or are advertised by a favorite celebrity without caution, warns Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, a board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner ofQazi Clinic. Then when you look at the ingredient list it can contain ingredients known to cause harm to skin instead. For example, a product may contain retinol to combat wrinkles, Dr. Qazi says. However, if that same product contains a coconut oil derivative like Coco-Caprylate, the product might slow wrinkling but clog the pores and cause acne.Or they may only put a small amount of active ingredients in the product. Suppose an under-eye cream advertises vitamin C as its main active ingredient. Then, using a name like sodium ascorbate, they put it at the bottom of the ingredients list. All the while, that product uses silica as a main ingredient and filler to smooth the appearance of under-eye circles while using the product without treating them.

Thats why Dr. Qazi says its imperative to look at ingredients and do your own research on whether a product can be harmful or beneficial.

Exfoliation is wonderful it makes the skin fresh and rejuvenated, Dr. Qazi says. It feels so nice and vibrant that people are often tempted to exfoliate more often than they should, and with products that do more harm than good.

Over-exfoliation makes the skin sensitive and inflamed, and the skin can begin to flake and peel away, Dr. Qazi says. In addition, as skin becomes dehydrated from over-exfoliating, collagen breaks down, which causes the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity, creating wrinkles.

To maintain a youthful glow, chemical exfoliants are a good substitute for the abrasive scrubs one might have used growing up, Dr. Qazi says. Look for alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic and mandelic acids. These acids exfoliate efficiently, and it is easy to find lower concentrations or limit how often you use them to avoid over-exfoliation. Mandelic acid can be especially beneficial for sensitive skin as it has a larger molecular structure and is very gentle as an exfoliant.

It isnt enough to own a bathroom medicine cabinets worth of expensive anti-aging skincare products. Learning which ones you could be using wrong is key to getting healthier, more glowy skin at any age.

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4 Anti-Aging Products Youre Using All Wrong, According To Skincare Experts - SheFinds