The Biggest Skincare Mistakes to Avoid in the Winter

“Since your skin produces less oil in the winter due to the absence of sun light and heat, your left with dry skin,” says dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D. “Additionally, there is less humidity in winter air, which causes any moisture you may have to evaporate off of your skin.“ Here are four things to avoid to ensure your skin looks healthy and radiant.

Mistake #1: Forgetting to exfoliate

Take the extra step—it’s worth it! It’s important to exfoliate during the winter because dry skin will clog your pores resulting in breakouts. Since some scrub cleansers can be harsh on dry skin, Dr. Gross recommends exfoliating gently with Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids. Try DG Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Facial Peel.

Mistake #2: Using oil-free moisturizer

Don’t worry! You can go back to your beloved oil-free moisturizer in the summertime, but you need a heavier moisturizer infused with humectants to draw water from the atmosphere into your skin (like a magnetic pull). Not convinced? Try it—your skin will look instantly plumper and firmer.

Mistake #3: Skipping sunscreen

The snow on the ground increases your chances of sun damage. Like sand, it acts as a mirror reflecting UV rays up and onto your face. “It’s a great idea to make applying sunscreen every morning second nature, like brushing your teeth or combing your hair,” says Dr. Gross.

Mistake #4: Piling on the harsh acne products

“Harsh acne products can backfire by intensifying redness in already sensitive skin,” Dr. Gross says. To reduce dryness in the winter, Dr. Gross recommends avoiding alcohol based products, because they can be too drying. You can start by switching to a toner made with witch hazel rather than alcohol to avoid stripping the skin.

How To Get Rid Of Blackheads (Correctly?)

I've been suffering with these annoying BLACKHEADS for the longest time--hated how it felt and looked on my face, especially on the nose area!!! I've done my research, experimented it (like a scientist), and, now, is passing it down to my lovely blog readers. In order to get rid of blackheads, you guys, first, must understand where the HELL blackheads come from.

What the HELL are these black dots on my nose???

A blackhead, or open comedo is a wide opening on the skin with a blackened mass of skin debris covering the opening. Despite their name, some blackheads can be yellowish in color. A comedo is a widened hair follicle which is filled with skin debris (keratin squamae), bacteria and oil (sebum). A closed comedo is a whitehead, while an open comedo is a blackhead. the plural of "comedo" is comedomes".

What causes black/whiteheads???

The overproduction of oil is the main cause of the emergence of blackheads. This is likely to occur in a high proportion of humans during puberty. Spikes in hormone production can result in the high levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone which triggers overactivity in the oil glands, resulting in clogged pores.

What DOES NOT Work???

1. Elmer's Glue

I still can't believe that particular YOUTUBE video got over 1 million+ viewers for teaching people how to remove blackheads with Elmer's Glue! Innocent and naive as I am, I ran to the nearby Walmart for a bottle of Elmer's Glue! Tried it! Hated the smell! and the most important thing! IT DIDN'T WORK at all! However, it gave me a total headache for inhaling the smell for 15+ minutes.

2. Eggs Strips

YOUTUBE users had tricked me AGAIN!!! I rather use this egg to make pineapple fried rice than a nose strip. The strips are too "weak" to remove any blackheads or even whiteheads from my nose! TOTALLY USELESS too :(

MY, CORRECT, WAY TO REMOVE BLACKHEADS

Remember, white/blackheads will never "completely" disappear!!! It might not be "visible" to your naked eyes, but it is still here, somewhere and somehow, under your beautiful skin. So remember, if there are OIL and DIRTY! There's gonna be some build up of blackheads and whiteheads. (PERIOD)!!!

(Daily routine)

STEP #1: Drink lots of water! This will help to dehydrate your skin.

STEP #2: Wash your face EVERYDAY before waking up and EVERYNIGHT before going to sleep.

(To remove blackheads/whiteheads effectively)

STEP #1: Use a "STAINLESS" Steel Blackheads Extractors

WHY? First, it has to be stainless steel because you don't want your tool to rust or accumulate large amount of bacteria. Second, the extractor, might be painful, but will get 80% of the small or rough blackheads out!!! I do warn you, if you are PAIN sensitive, you gotta watch out. This step was very painful for me, but it GETS the job done beautifully! No pain, no gain right? if you want to look beautiful, you gotta experience the pain of life or, here, the extractor!

STEP #2: Take a HOT bath/shower or place a bowl of hot water over the area with blackheads

WHY? the HOT steams from the water will "OPEN" up your pores, so it will be easier to remove the heads now with the strips :]

STEP #3: Biore' Nose Strips

WHY? The extractors will only get rid of around 80% of the blackheads, these strips will eliminated almost all of the left-over blackheads. I've used many other strips, but i like Biore' the most because it WORKS! and WORKS! It might hurt to take it off, but the result will astonish you :]

STEP #4: Wash your face with facial cleanser or pore reducing soaps.

WHY? This will clean the left over residues from the strips and clean your face completely.

STEP #5: Use a TONER

WHY? This will tighten your pores so 'dirt' can't get in the pores easily.