A good skin care routine is a must for protecting the skin and helping to combat the signs of ageing.
An expert told women why they should be sparing with one common skin care product.
She said, while they have lots of benefits, exfoliators should be used cautiously.
"It’s healthy to exfoliate your skin," founder of Sphagnum De-Lux Lisa Kavanagh said.
Exfoliating gets rid of impurities but it can damage the skin
GETTY"But doing it too often can destroy your skin barrier which can lead to dryness and irritation - ultimately causing accelerated ageing." Instead, the expert said, "exfoliating three times a week should suffice".
Exfoliating regularly is great for the skin as it can remove impurities and unclog pores, which helps with clear skin.
Some studies also suggest doing this regularly can increase the skin's collagen production.
More collagen improves elasticity and minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Collagen is a protein the body produces naturally, however our supplies start to decrease over the age of 30.
Exfoliating is harsh on the skin, however, so doing this too often can leave it damaged and exposed. This could ultimately lead to breakouts and cause its natural defences to weaken.
The expert gave further advice on how to put together a skin care routine and recommended following the rule of three.
Lisa continued: "The rule of three is crucial in skin care, as using too many products at once can lead to chronic inflammation which is a significant trigger to skin ageing.
"This can result in a breakdown of collagen and elastin, which can cause wrinkles and sagging."
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Women should be careful of what skin care items they use
GETTYWhat we put onto our skin can drastically affect how it looks and how well it ages.
One product not to forget for a more youthful appearance is an eye cream or serum, the expert said.
She added: "The skin around the eyes is one of the thinnest across the body which is why it’s essential to regularly use cream or serum. Not taking care of the skin around the eyes can cause wrinkles, bags and sagging."
