13 Common Skincare Mistakes That Might be Ruining Your Skin

Let’s delve into the world of all things skincare with the 13 most skincare common mistakes. Achieving flawless skin requires more than an array of products, it requires that you understand the basics of skincare so you know what you are applying to your skin and how your skin will react. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated!

Whether you’re a skincare newbie or an expert, these tips will help you steer clear of any common pitfalls that get in the way of your skin goals.

13 Common Skincare Mistakes

1. Not wearing and reapplying sunscreen

By far the most common skincare mistake is not applying sunscreen or not following the recommended guidelines for application. in skincare. Wear sunscreen every. single. day.

Sunscreen blocks the damaging effects of UV rays which can cause sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer. It is necessary whether you are inside, outside, whether it’s sunny or rainy and gray. UV rays which include both UVA and UVB rays are present even during winter months and can penetrate windows.

Although the need for sunscreen has become fairly commonplace, simply applying sunscreen in the morning is not enough. Here are 3 simple guidelines to keep in mind:

Make sure you are applying enough sunscreen. About 1 teaspoon is enough for your face, neck, and hands. That’s more than you think so try measuring it once or twice so you know you’re applying enough.
Yes, you do need to apply it to your face AND your neck, hands, and ears. It’s best to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin but the bare minimum includes these four areas. The tops of the ears are an often forgotten spot and as a result it’s a common location for skin cancer to form.
This rule is perhaps the hardest. It’s crucial to reapply sunscreen about every two hours throughout the day. During that summer that’s up to 8 times a day. Keep a travel sized sunscreen on you to reapply.

Our favorite sunscreens:

2. Picking at blemishes

women looking in mirror picking at blemish

Personally, this is my least favorite tip because it’s so incredibly hard to avoid picking at blemishes. But, it’s true what they say, you really should not be physically extracting or picking at blackheads and pimples. To help fend off the skin-picking impulses, here are five scientifically based reasons not to pick at your skin.

Infection: Picking at blemishes can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and inflammation. It can also lead breakouts to spread to surrounding areas (American Academy of Dermatology).
Scarring: Blemishes can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring, made significantly worse by squeezing and picking (National Library of Medicine).
Inflammation: Inflammation is the enemy of clear skin. Picking can lead to an increased inflammatory response causing more swelling and redness (National Library of Medicine).
Delayed healing: Picking disrupts the healing process leading to a prolonged occurrence and appearance of the blemish (National Library of Medicine).

Repeat after me:

Patience today, clearer skin tomorrow!

Not sure how to stop? Harvard can help!

Harvard Health published an article with four tips to break the habit.

3. Using highly fragranced products

This common skincare mistake is becoming more and more well known in the beauty industry. But fragrances can actually be irritating to most skin types. Even if you don’t see signs of irritation such as redness or swelling, fragrance can cause micro damage to the skin. And natural fragrances such as essential oils can actually be even worse for your skin.

Because of the growing awareness around the harm of fragrance, many brands are opting for fragrance free products or offering alternate formulations.

To take the best possible care of your skin, avoid fragranced products all together. Or aime for the 80/20 rule and make sure at least 80% of your products are unscented. It’s less important for products that you wash off such as cleansers and masks.

Here are the common names of fragrances to watch out for on the ingredients list:

Perfume
Cologne
Linalool
Limonene
Cinnamal
Isoeugenol
Plant, flower, fruit essential oils

Here are some of our favorite fragrance-free brands:

Paula’s Choice
La Roche-Posay
CeraVe
Inkey List
CosRX (not all products are fragrance-free)

4. Using physical exfoliants

You may have used the infamous St. Ives Apricot Scrub when you were younger. Scrubs like this that include small grains of physical exfoliant cause micro tears in the skin. Similar to the irritating effect of fragrance, you may not see it or feel it but overtime you’re causing damage to the skin.

Instead opt for gentle acid exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and promote a glowy appearance and smoother texture. They work at the ingredient level to soften the bonds between dead skin cells and allow them to detach in much gentler manner. There are two main types to choose from.

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) are water soluble and target the skin’s surface. Best used to treat hyperpigmentation, skin texture, and soften signs of again. Common types of AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid.

Here are some of our favorites:

BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) are oil-soluble and penetrate deeper into the skin. Best used to treat acne because it works at the pore-level. It can also be beneficial for those with oily skin as it can help slow down the production of sebum. The most common type is salicylic acid.

Here are some of our favorites:

5. Using expired skin care products

You may not even be aware that skincare products expire. But skincare ingredients are often delicate and can easily go rancid or lose their effectiveness over time. You’ll find a little stamp on each product’s label that will tell you how long it stays good after opening. Most products expire within 3, 6, or 12 months. Do a clear out of your products and make sure to get rid of anything you’ve had for more than a year.

6. Switching it up too often

It can be tempting (and fun!) to constantly try our new skincare products. Unfortunately, it’s not great for your skin. Your skin will look and feel its best when you’re on a consistent and effective routine.

The best way to build your routine is to only introduce one new product at a time and closely monitor your skin’s condition for the first two weeks. If you have any negative effects, discontinue use immediately. And if something is working for you, stick to it!

But also remember that skincare should be fun, there’s so need to be too strict!

7. Using too many products

It can be tempting to buy a new skincare product for every skin concern. But this common skincare mistake can lead to skin irritation and damage in the long-run. Good products include a powerful mix of ingredients that should treat multiple concerns. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the simplest routine possible and only add one to two treatment products at a time. Invest in high quality products so you can use less of them. Opt-out of single ingredient focused products.

8. Using too much product

Similar to the last common skincare mistake, using too much of a good thing can also be bad. Don’t worry too much about products like cleansers and moisturizers. This concern is directly mostly toward actives and treatments such as vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliating acids. These products are powerful and don’t require large quantities to be effective. Read the directions and test out the appropriate amount for yourself.

9. Touching your face throughout the day

We are certainly guilty of this mistake. It’s easy to unknowingly touch your face throughout the day, whether out of habit or otherwise. But our hands are covered in bacteria and grime that we pass onto our sensitive facial skin. This can lead to all kinds of issues from breakouts to long-term skin damage. Start to notice when and why you touch your face throughout the day and make slow changes to reduce it.

10. Not washing your skincare and make-up tools often enough

When was the last time you cleaned your make-up brushes? Scary question right? Just like touching our faces with our hands, we can easily spread bacteria and dirt through our skincare and make-up tools. Aim to wash them once a week.

Plus, don’t forget your face towel and pillowcase!

11. Misidentifying an issue and treating it wrong

Sometimes, skin issues can be difficult to identify. A lack of hydration can look like fine lines, a rash can look like acne and so on.

Take the time to research what might be going on with your skin and consult a professional if needed.

Sometimes the best policy is to go back to your most gentle routine and just wait and see if things clear up on their own. Overtreating can lead to aggravated issues that take longer to heal and clear up.

12. Forgetting your neck, chest, and hands

Don’t forget to carry your skincare products down to your neck, chest and hands. Just like your face, these areas have sensitive skin that’s susceptible to skincare issues and aging. Get in the habit of using excess product in these areas and your future self will thank you.

13. Not having fun with it!

Skin care can be a fun and relaxing experience. Although it’s important to educate yourself so that you get the results you are after, don’t forget to have fun with it! If a product brings your joy, that’s an important benefit too!

Knowing these 13 common skincare mistakes, will help you get the best skin of your life!

Let us know what you think in the comments!

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Posted By: Victoria · In: beauty