15 Skincare Mistakes You’re Guilty Of & How To Fix Them

So you’re a skincare enthusiast? Or a skincare newbie trying to get the hang of things? Or someone who doesn’t even remember the last time they used a cleanser, not soap, to wash their face?

Today’s list is for everyone who might have or are still committing some grave skincare skins. Take these skincare mistakes as a guide to make sure you treat your skin in the best way possible. Because these skincare mistakes might be the reason that’s keeping you away from achieving the flawless skin you always dreamt of!

1. Not Cleaning Your Face Twice A Day

We all know overcleansing your face might irritate your skin and dry it out. But that doesn’t mean you just stop cleansing your face altogether. It is important to wash your face at least once a day but ideally twice a day depending on your skin. Now how to decide your frequency?

Nighttime Cleansing Routine: Double cleanse to take off all the dirt, oil, and makeup. Firstly cleanse with a makeup remover/ cleansing oil/ micellar water and then final cleanse with a gentle gel or foaming cleanser like Sebamed Cleansing Foam or By Wishtrend Acid-Duo Cleanser.

Morning Cleansing Routine: You might think you don’t need to cleanse your face in the morning since you were inside sleeping. But what about dead skin cells? Oils? If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you should cleanse your face in the morning with a gentle cleanser to take off all the oils. This would ensure the rest of the products that you apply later would actually benefit you.

If you have dry skin, you can do a water wash or a creamy cleanser. After that, you can wipe your face with a hydrating toner and do the rest of the steps.

BTW, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, I have a perfect The Ordinary Skincare Routine for you!

2. Not Wearing Sunscreen

So you’re a simple person who doesn’t pay much attention to their skin and never wear sunscreen? To you, it’s an extra step that doesn’t deserve time or money? What if I say that this habit can increase the risk of skin cancer? Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine, irrespective of your gender, age, or skin colour.

80-90% cases of premature skin ageing and skin cancer are caused due to the unprotected exposure of UV rays. It is necessary to apply sunscreen on all the exposed body parts before you step out in the sun. A lot of skin problems like hyperpigmentation, acne, fine lines, and wrinkles can be reduced with regular use of SPF.

How much to use? What to look for while buying a sunscreen? This post is where I break down everything you should know about sunscreens.

3. Physical Exfoliator (Scrubs!!)

Physical exfoliators aren’t an absolute No-No but be careful with what you’re using. Cleansing brush like Clarisonic, a muslin washcloth, or even finely ground oats are some good physical exfoliants.

But harsh scrubs like the infamous St. Ives Apricot scrub that have gritty particles can cause micro-tears on your skin. These tears would in turn increase skin problems like acne and fine lines.

So steer clear of such scrubs. Switch to chemical exfoliation with products like The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid, it’s gentler and more effective. Or you could opt for The Ordinary Salicylic Acid if you’re struggling with oily skin, acne, and blackheads.

4. Having a High Sugar Diet

Ah, I’m using the best skincare products in the world but no matter what I do I’m still not able to get that flawless skin! Does this ring a bell? Is this something you can relate to? Then you need to check what you’re eating.

Sugar increases glucose levels which further increases insulin. This makes your skin produce more oils and androgens and it worsens your acne. So cut down or limit intake of sugar, pizza, fast food, etc for your skin and body’s health.

5. Not Washing the Pillowcase Frequently

Even if you’re a clean person who takes a regular shower, washes their hair, and have a good skincare routine, you might still get acne if you use the same pillow cover for weeks. It’s advisable to wash the pillowcase every 4-5 days to get rid of oils, dirt and dead skin cells. A soft silk or satin pillowcase is ideal, not just for your skin but for your hair too.

6. Not Separating Body and Face Towel

One of the best skincare practises that I included in my routine last year was having a separate towel for both body and face. I use a small hand towel for my face as it’s easier for me to wash it frequently.

Just like the pillow cover, the towel touches your face frequently and it’s important to keep them clean from bacteria and dirt. Since I use a very small towel for my face, I wash it every 2 days and it’s not even a lot of work. If you’re someone who can’t wash their face towels, consider using disposable paper towels (I don’t find these environmental-friendly).

7. Using Hot Water

While a hot shower feels relaxing after a hectic day at work, it is not very good for your skin. Hot water strips your skin of all natural oils and makes it dry. Instead, go for lukewarm or cool water the next time you wash your face. This would ensure that your face gets cleaned without disturbing the skin’s natural oils.

8. Blindly Following the Trend

Buying every latest product released in the market might not just harm your pocket but also your skin. Before buying something, ask yourself if your skin NEEDS it!

Before following the 10-step K Beauty Routine on your oily skin while living in a humid place, ask whether your skin can take it? Or would you be fine with a basic skincare regimen that targets your problem areas? Don’t overwhelm your skin with too many products.

9. Blindly Following Skincare DIYs

While DIYs or Do-It-Yourself recipes are a great way to save some money on skincare products, don’t trust them blindly. The first thing to know about your skin is its ideal pH which is 5.5 and it can range from 4.5 to 6 in different cases. A lot of internet DIYs suggest you use ingredients like lemon whose pH is 2!!

You will be doing more harm to your skin if you continue to follow such DIYs so say goodbye to weird “skin hacks” and use products formulated to suit your skin’s needs.

10. Not Getting Enough Sleep

I am guilty of this skincare mistake! Often times, I sleep very late and wake up with skin full of small bumps, eye bags, and dark circles. No undereye serum would remove your dark circles if you sleep at 3 am. No miraculous cream would make your skin flawless if you don’t follow a basic healthy lifestyle.

You can use all the salicylic acid you want or pour the best brightening serums over your skin but lack of sleep would continue showing up on your face. (The last note was for me LOL!) Take enough sleep and you’ll be a step closer to non-disastrous skin.

11. Using Too Much or Too Less

Quantity is important. Period. Don’t use a pea-sized amount when it comes to sunscreen because you need to apply it as generously as you can to protect your skin. But overexfoliating your skin might disrupt your acid mantle and trigger more skin issues.

The video below should give you an idea of how much sunscreen should you apply:

View this post on Instagram

Just your average girl putting on a little sunscreen before stepping out for a bit. Recorded it for stories but then I realised I need to stop obsessing over a "perfect" feed. ▫️ Used @purito_official Centella Unscented Sunscreen, no white cast, extra dewy skin✨My favourite 🥰

A post shared by Skincare Blogger (@thebeautywonk) on Feb 27, 2020 at 6:57am PST

And no please don’t layer different acid toners, that’s a bit too much especially for beginners. Yes, the new launches everyday can overwhelm you but you don’t need them all.

And you surely don’t need to use them all AT ONCE! It’s a good thing that you want to focus on your skin and buying retinol, Vitamin C, and AHAs seemed to be a nice idea, but don’t use them in the same routine. Most people can’t take it so always listen to your skin

12. Over-Exfoliating Your Skin

Congratulations on finally getting on board with exfoliation and deciding that your face needs to get rid of dead skin cells. But is that all? How much is too much? If you exfoliate too frequently, you risk damaging the skin barrier which helps protect your skin from harsh elements and holds in moisture, preventing your skin from drying out.

The results of over-exfoliation include excessive dryness, irritation, redness, bumps, and sensitivity. So you’re better off with exfoliating twice to thrice a week and that includes both physical as well as chemical exfoliation.

13. Rubbing the Products Harshly Into the Skin

I see people going way too rough on their skin by rubbing it while cleansing or even applying moisturiser thinking they’re some self-certified masseuse. This damages your skin! The best way to go about it is to maintain negligible pressure while using the products and focus of spreading instead of “rigorously massaging” them in.

14. Constantly Touching Your Face

If you do all the things right, your skin will become baby soft and gorgeous. And then you would want to keep touching it to feel the smoothness. But should you?

Your hands harbour bacteria and constantly touching your face transfer those to your face which can trigger acne and worsen them. So leave your face alone and only bring your clean, just washed hands closer to them while doing your skincare.

15. Layering Your Skincare the Wrong Way

In order to make sure, you get the maximum benefits out of your elaborate or not-so-elaborate skincare routine, it’s important to layer them in the right order. Imagine applying your face oil and then go with a toner or a moisturiser first followed by toner?

Some products in your skincare like occlusive moisturisers or oils form a barrier on the skin which won’t allow the active ingredients from an eye cream or a chemical exfoliant to penetrate. That way you won’t be able to enjoy the full potential of those products.

Then how to layer them? The basic rule is to go from thinnest to thickest formula. Start with cleansing, then mask or exfoliate. Then go with a toner, essence, serum, eye cream, and lastly moisturiser. If you use face oil then use it in the last step and if it’s day time your sunscreen should be the last step.

If you’ve come this far, you deserve a reward. So here’s a bonus skincare tip for you:

Whenever you buy new skincare products, introduce one product in your routine at a time. In case, your skin is allergic to any ingredient, it’d be easier for you to determine the culprit and keep that away.

How many skincare mistakes are you guilty of? Let me know in the comments below! I’m guilty of around three right now but I’ve probably committed around 10-12 in the past. Well, we’re all sinners but it’s never too late to make a change!