Just like Rome, an effective skincare routine isn’t built in a day. It takes some trial and error to get you where you want. Most of us will make common skincare mistakes before we have it all figured out.
It is okay to make mistakes as long as you acknowledge and correct them along the way. Here are some of them for you to double-check your routine and ways to fix these skincare mistakes.
#1. Using sunscreen only in summer – Skincare mistakes 101
Did you know that snow reflects 80% of UV radiation while dry beach reflects only 15%? This is truly shocking to anyone who didn’t have a clue before reading this article. Well, same here. What this means is that you put our skin in greater danger by skipping out on SPF all year round.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your skin needs sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. That blocks 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays. So, next time you go snowboarding or go for a romantic stroll on a rainy Sunday afternoon, keep that in mind.
#2. Lacking consistency in the skincare routine
When it comes to getting that glowy-dewy-perfect skin, just like everything else in life, you have to earn it. Since there is no such thing as a miracle in life, well, at least, in this life, consistency is key. Daily life chores can wear you out and long work hours can take their toll.
Despite this, you shouldn’t forget about your skincare regimen. Don’t skip your night cream and definitely don’t forget about cleansing your face. Only by following a defined skincare routine, you can make your skin work for you. Although we all make these skincare mistakes, it is important to realize the skincare mistakes you need to avoid at all costs.
#3. Using scrubs on your face – One of the most common skincare mistakes
Exfoliating your face too much with a scrub can dry your skin, cause irritation, and result in flakiness. As a rule of thumb, use physical exfoliators at a bare minimum since they can damage the skin barrier over time.
Instead, stick to chemical exfoliators like AHAs and BHAs. They encourage healthy skin cell turnover and act as a great anti-aging soldier. Using too many chemical exfoliants can pose a risk. Therefore, experts recommend using it 2 to 3 times a week, so don’t go overboard with it.
#4. Touching your face all the time
This seems like one of those skincare mistakes that is easy to fix, but you know, old habits die hard. Not only does touching your face constantly spread bacteria and dirt, but it also can be a major contributor to further skin outbreaks. Especially, because we are in the middle of a pandemic, this issue should be of major concern.
If you have a habit of touching your face non-stop, set up some ground rules for avoiding it.
For example, you can set some mental cues in your mind and sort of “stave off” the upcoming action. Distracting yourself from something else can also work. If you have bangs, try to only touch your hair and avoid interaction with the skin.
#5. Using “Natural” or “Clean” skincare – New skincare mistakes 101
This is unfortunately one of the most common skincare mistakes lately. With clean beauty on the rise, many tend to think that existing skincare products are somehow inferior or “toxic”. The argument is “If you can make “natural” home remedies, why buy skincare products at the store?”. The sad result is clogged pores, more outbreaks thanks to coconut oil mixed with egg whites.
There is a great controversy around it since “natural” or “organic” doesn’t really guarantee better skincare or better ingredients. Plus, they are more likely to cause allergies, irritation, acne on the skin compared to other hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic skin products. This is not to say that products on the more natural side can’t help your skin, it is just better to use skincare products that have those ingredients that have already been tested.
Remember that skincare that isn’t backed by science is risky and dangerous. Food that you consume doesn’t have to be on your skin, foods packed with antioxidants, vitamins can do good for your body if you include them in your diet anyway.
#6. Ignoring your neck and decolletage
This is one of the most common skincare mistakes too! Just like your face, your neck and decolletage – which is a sexier French way of calling your neckline, need your undivided attention.
Most of the time we simply skip this part thinking it is a part of body care in the shower. But attending to those areas right away can prevent some future wrinkles and provide hydration that the skin desperately needs.
#7. Not removing makeup before bed
Why would you let the daily oil, dirt, and bacteria get into your bed with you? You need to wash off all of those toxins before you give your skin the chance to rest. Cleansing daily twice is a must for any type of skin.
Depending on your skin type you should choose the right consistency – gel, foam, fluid, etc. Not cleaning your skin properly is the number one cause of nasty outbreaks. By no means should you give them a chance to get to you!
Read: 10 Deadly Makeup Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making
#8. Applying night cream right before bed
Beauty requires patience, so does your skincare routine. Don’t make one of these common skincare mistakes and go to bed immediately after you put on your night cream. For your night cream to serve its purpose as a moisturizing agent, it is better to apply it at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
An hour or an hour and a half would be even more ideal. It will give your skin the chance to prep for the night ahead and will function to its full capacity. The ideal skincare routine will involve double cleansing (using an oil cleanser + regular cleanser based on your skin type), applying hydrating serum + finishing off with an anti-aging cream or a moisturizer.
Bonus tip: Using ingredients that don’t go together – Fix these common skincare mistakes!
You walk into your favorite store and try to see what’s new. You have heard about this new product with retinol in it and decide to see what the hype is about. And then you decide to get this new serum with an AHA thinking it would help you with acne spots. I call it the experimental mixing gone wrong.
Being experimental with different ingredients in skincare can be tricky and may not always be the best course of action for your skin. Because some ingredients simply don’t mix together and you should be very careful about that.
For example, you absolutely SHOULDN’T mix Retinol with vitamin C, Benzoyl Peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. They are ingredients that cancel each other out.
Check our post on ingredients not to mix: The List of Top 8 Skincare Ingredients Not To Mix
In case you are confused about certain ingredients, go to INCIdecoder, it will help you get some idea.
Also, make sure to consult with your dermatologist before you buy certain products.
Final Word from THESKINVERSE
I remember the time when I discovered things that went wrong in my skincare routine that I was shocked by. ( a major facepalm of my life) Those skincare mistakes literally haunted me for a long time.
While it is important to stick to a skincare routine, I strongly urge you to stick to one that is free of common skincare mistakes. Or, at least the ones that you are going to fix. ALWAYS remember to do your research before buying or applying new products to your skin. And ALWAYS remember to have fun on your skincare journey!
