Dull and dry skin… Why it gets worse despite care

As the weather gets colder and drier, people tend to put more effort into skincare. However, too much of a good thing is bad. Paying excessive attention to your skin can actually damage it.

 

◇ Applying excessive amounts of basic skincare products can actually accelerate aging

 

It is not advisable to apply excessive amounts of basic skincare products in an attempt to take care of your skin. A research team from the Department of Cosmetic Science at Chung-Ang University's Graduate School of Medicine and Food Sciences once announced that there was no significant difference between a group using only two basic products (skin toner and lotion) and a group using four (skin toner, essence, lotion, and cream). In fact, applying too many cosmetics can be harmful to the skin. Cosmetics that are not fully absorbed remain on the skin's surface. When they come into contact with oxygen, they convert into lipid peroxides, which generate free radicals that can cause skin aging. Furthermore, applying multiple products at once can trigger unexpected chemical reactions between ingredients, posing a risk of causing dermatitis or hyperpigmentation.

◇ Excessive face washing damages the skin barrier

 

You must be careful when washing your face. While it is true that thorough cleansing is necessary to remove impurities from the pores, overdoing it can strip away natural moisturizing factors on the skin's surface, potentially compromising the skin barrier. If you are wearing makeup, double cleanse using cleansing oil and a foam cleanser; however, if you do not usually wear makeup, it is best to perform a single cleanse using just one of the two. Washing until your skin feels squeaky clean can cause excessive irritation. You should gently rub your skin with the mindset of lightly removing only foreign substances. Even after washing, you should not press your face hard with a towel or scrub vigorously. This can damage the skin barrier, causing moisture to evaporate easily and leading to dryness. It also increases the risk of dermatitis. It is better to gently pat your face, focusing only on absorbing water from the surface.

 

◇ Using face masks every day irritates the skin

 

  Using face masks too frequently can also be harmful to the skin. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin, as the ingredients can cause excessive irritation, leading to redness and rashes. The same applies to individuals with acne or seborrheic dermatitis. Even for those with healthy skin, using high-concentration functional masks—such as those for moisturizing, whitening, pore reduction, or firming—every day can be burdensome. Since the amount of ingredients the skin can absorb at one time is limited, using them only once or twice a week is appropriate. Furthermore, leaving a mask on for too long can actually strip the skin of moisture, causing dryness. It is best not to use it for more than 15 minutes.

 

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Applying excessive amounts of basic skincare products?

Three basic ampoules, toner, and cream

I apply this much,

So you're saying it's effective with just the toner and cream?