If you’re wondering why your skincare routine isn’t yielding results despite spending a lot of money on it, then you’re not alone! You might be committing some of the most common skincare mistakes, which could be impeding your skin goals.
When it comes to skincare routines, there is so much information available that it may be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Knowing what your skin requires and how frequently you should care for it might be tricky to determine.
Moreover, finding what products work best for you involves a lot of trial and error, so everyone is bound to make a few common skincare mistakes at some point. But the good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix!
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9 Common Skincare Mistakes To Avoid for a Healthy Skin
Skincare is all about routine and taking care of one’s skin at all times. There are several common misconceptions that people inadvertently do, starting from just using sunscreen when exposed to the sun to ignoring anti-aging treatments until it is too late.
If any of these relate to you, it’s not too late to rectify them and enhance your skin in both the short and long term.
Scroll down to know about some of the most common skincare mistakes to avoid if you desire flawless skin.
Mistake 1 : Not Cleansing Your Skin Properly
Washing your face appears to be a simple task, doesn’t it? How can you go wrong with wet, lather, wash? Well, it appears to be easier than you may imagine, but there is no one-size-fits-all cleansing process that will work for everyone.
It is important to choose a cleanser that is formulated precisely for your skin type. If you have dry skin, avoid cleansers with a high alcohol concentration.
On the other hand, oily skin requires a cleanser with a lower PH level and for sensitive skin, you should use a cleanser that is devoid of scent and additives.
I would recommend your best bet would be to go with a gentle cleanser that is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types. Because if you do not thoroughly cleanse your skin with correct products, you are putting it at risk for outbreaks caused by oil, debris, and makeup blocking pores.
Mistake 2 : Exfoliating Too Often With Harsh Scrubs
Exfoliation is an important part of your skincare regimen that may work miracles if done correctly. It can be a great way to remove dead skin cells and clean your skin. However, too much of a ‘good thing’ might do more harm than good to your skin.
Excessive exfoliation can cause redness, inflammation, and leave your skin in worse condition than when you started. It can also cause tiny rips in the skin and disrupt the skin’s natural skin barrier.
To avoid these, you should exfoliate your skin no more than 1-2 times each week. Also, instead of a harsh scrub, use a chemical exfoliator containing acids such as AHA and/or BHA.
You may be keen to achieve cleaner, softer skin, but you must first follow the proper steps, which will take some time. And when it comes to skincare, gentle is always the way to go.
Mistake 3 : Using the Wrong Type of Moisturizer
Everyone’s skincare routine is different, but the majority of them include a moisturizer. And if we find one we like, we generally stick with it for years. However, our skin changes with the seasons and also as we age, so that tried-and-true bottle of moisturizer you’ve been using may no longer be suitable.
Bear in mind that the wrong moisturizer can cause white bumps, redness, dry patches, and even acne or breakouts. As a result, you should moisturize correctly depending on your skin type or the weather outdoors.
If it’s hot and steamy outside in the summer, choose a lighter formula; Clinique or CeraVe are excellent choices. Whereas when winter arrives, your parched skin will want extra hydration. so go for moisturizers that are more nourishing and emollient.
Mistake 4 : Applying Sunscreen Incorrectly
Applying sunscreen wrongly or just during the summer is a common skincare mistake. Sunscreen should be used on a daily basis, regardless of the season, to avoid those fine lines and wrinkles.
When sunscreen is applied incorrectly, it gives far less protection from dangerous UV radiation and exposes your skin to sun damage which can potentially cause premature aging and skin cancer.
To ensure you’re applying sunscreen correctly, follow these tips:
- Apply sunscreen generously and evenly to all exposed skin before going outside.
- Use a sunscreen with a high SPF value (SPF 30 or higher)
- To reapply sunscreen on a regular basis, follow the instructions on the bottle.
By regularly using sunscreen, you can reduce your need for skin-repairing or anti-aging cosmetic products.
Mistake 5 : Not Applying Skincare Products to Neck
Have you been forgetting your neck in terms of skincare? The answer is most likely yes, and you are not alone. This is another common mistake that we all make.
Neglecting your neck may result in you looking like a whole different person below your chin. And the last thing you want is a lovely, glowing face accompanied with saggy, wrinkled, or pigmented skin on your neck. Unfortunately, if you simply focus your skincare on your face, this is exactly what might happen.
Therefore to prevent this, the next time you apply moisturizer, toner, serum, or anything else, remember to apply the same products on your neck as well.
Mistake 6 : Popping Your Own Pimple
While it may be tempting, it is important to avoid touching and squeezing at that zit, because this can often aggravate the problem by spreading bacteria and possibly scarring.
Popping your own pimple can be a risky and costly mistake. It can not only cause infection, but it can also cause your hair follicle to break, allowing the pimple’s contents to enter into deeper tissues resulting in larger pimples.
This can also cause skin irritation, redness, and the formation of new breakout in the immediate region. You don’t have to try any hacks to get rid of it instantly.
Your pimple will go on its own, and if you leave it alone, you will be less likely to recall it existed. So patience is needed here! However, if you notice severe acne, don’t try to pop it yourself; instead, consult a dermatologist.
Mistake 7 : Changing Skincare Products Too Often
It’s tough to resist the urge to try out the new skincare products that your favorite brands have introduced. However, changing your skincare products too often can actually damage your skin. This is because your skin needs time to adjust to the new product.
Likewise, using various skin care products can cause your skin to become sensitive and dry. It is acceptable to use the same cosmetic product as long as you listen to your skin and make the required modifications.
Instead of changing your skincare products on a regular basis, update them just when anything changes in your skin to suit your new needs.
Mistake 8 : Sleeping With Makeup On
Aren’t we all guilty of sleeping with makeup on every once in a while? Yet, going to bed without washing your face is a big no. Even if you don’t wear makeup, pollutants, germs, debris, and dead skin cells can accumulate on your skin’s surface during the day, clogging your pores.
Sleeping with makeup inhibits the skin from receiving much-needed rejuvenation, resulting in healthy collagen breakdown. It affects cell turnover, putting your skin at risk of infection and making it seem older.
The bottom line is that you should always attempt to stick to a night skincare routine, or at the very least wash your face before going to bed – your skin will undoubtedly thank you afterward.
Mistake 9 : Layering Skincare Product Incorrectly
This is another common skincare mistake that many people are unaware of. If you use a variety of skincare products, you must know how to apply them correctly. Otherwise, you risk wasting expensive skincare items.
When the skin products are layered incorrectly, they become ineffective. As a result, always begin by applying the thinnest, fastest-absorbing product on your face first, then layering the next heaviest product over it, and so on, until the thickest formula is on top.
This ensures that you get the most out of your skincare products. Also while applying products, keep in mind that certain chemical ingredients do not mix well.
For example using retinol with treatments containing vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids may dry out the skin and cause irritation. So try to avoid using them together in your skincare routine.
That’s all. If you want amazing skin, strive to avoid these common skincare mistakes and you’ll be able to keep all of your skin issues at bay!
Are you committing any of these skincare mistakes? Tell us in the comments section below.
