Have you ever wondered why you aren’t seeing results from your skincare regimen? Or why you’re breaking out all of a sudden? Or is there a skincare product that works wonders on your friends’ skin but doesn’t agree with yours? It might be because you’re making some skincare mistakes.
Nobody’s skincare routine is perfect. After all, choosing the right products and following up on them regularly is no easy task. It’s natural to make a few mistakes here and there in your skincare journey. Nobody has it all figured out.
That being said, there are a couple of major skincare mistakes that are a constant problem for many people. We've all made them at some point. But by addressing and fixing them, your skincare routine will be better than ever, and you'll get those long-desired results you crave.
This article will explore all the skincare mistakes you might be making and give you tips on how to fix them.
Without further ado, let’s start busting some skincare myths.
Over Washing Your Face
Nobody likes the feeling of makeup, dust, pollutants, and all the other stuff that's been accumulating on your face all day long. That’s why we love our cleansers. Cleansing your face after a long day is relaxing, soothing, and extremely satisfying.
But take caution because you can actually overdo it. This common skincare mistake will dry out your face and cause problems with pimples in the long run.
But why?
When you over-cleanse your face, you’re stripping away the protective top layer crucial for maintaining skin health and a glowing complexion. This encourages your glands to produce even more oil (otherwise known as sebum) than before. Although a proper amount of sebum is necessary to keep your skin clean and hydrated, when it gets out of control, so does your skin. Excess sebum leads to clogged pores and the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads.
So, how much should we clean our faces?
The truth is, washing our face two times a day is ideal: early in the morning and late at night. Those blessed with clear skin can even get away with washing their face once a day. Double cleansing is also an option for people who prefer heavy makeup.
If you feel like your face needs a refreshment, there are a couple of things you can try before reaching for your cleanser. You could use a face wipe or put a few drops of micellar water on a cotton pad. Even spritzing some face mist will do wonders.
Just make sure to avoid hot water. Lukewarm water should be more than enough, and won't dry out your skin.
Not Knowing Your Skin Type and Using the Wrong Products
One of the most common skincare mistakes people make is using the wrong products.
There are a few skin types, but determining your own skin type is not an easy task. What if your skin is oily but has a few dry patches? What if it's balanced but sensitive?
There are a few simple rules to follow when picking the right products. If you have dry, dehydrated skin, go for products with skincare ingredients that will provide extra moisture (such as hyaluronic acid).
For mature skin, look for active ingredients like vitamin C to boost brightness.
If you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, avoid ingredients such as oils, mica, parabens, alcohol, and fragrances. These will irritate your skin and possibly cause you to break out. Instead, try simplifying your morning skincare routine. Use products to tackle acne, such as benzoyl peroxide, zinc oxide, and salicylic acid - check out this amazing Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser, too!
As far as cleansers are concerned, choose creamy and soothing ones that won’t cause irritation. If you have oily skin, use skincare products specifically designed to decrease excess oil.
In terms of make-up, try mattifying products that will keep your face shine-free.
You may feel like experimenting and trying different products - but don't! We often get bored with our routines and want to break free at one point or another. But the general rule of thumb is to stick to the products you’re using. Not only will this let your face get used to them and lessen the chances of adverse effects, but it will also give your skin enough time to respond to the products and heal properly.
Make sure to check the expiration dates of the products on your shelf, too!
If you suffer from acne, try this Complete Clear 3-Step System.
Sleeping with Your Makeup On
There’s a reason why this is regarded as one of the most common skincare mistakes around. Sleeping with your make-up on is one of the most destructive habits for your skin’s health. But don’t worry - it happens to everyone!
Make-up clogs your pores; that is a fact. Combine that with sweating, rolling, rubbing, and touching your face while sleeping, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Besides suffering from breakouts and irritated skin, sleeping with eye makeup can also cause some distress to the eyes. It can inflame the delicate surrounding area and may cause conjunctivitis or dermatitis, which aren’t easy to cure. Relax: you don't have to double cleanse. Just keep a pack of wipes designed to remove makeup on your nightstand - and maybe some moisturizer.
(Psst... it wouldn't hurt to wash your makeup brushes either.)
Thinking That More Product Means Better Results
Here’s something we’re all guilty of – applying products excessively. We’ve all been there – opening a new bottle of a fancy toner or buying a moisturizer that promises to deliver quick results and thinking that adding just a little more than recommended will speed up the whole process. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and here’s why.
More product doesn’t equal better or faster results - in fact, it might not even absorb properly.
Apply a small, pea-sized amount of the product on your hands and distribute it all over your face, including your cheeks, forehead, and chin. Make sure you don’t forget the neck (we’ll get to that in a minute).
For some products, you’ll need to apply a larger amount, and for others, a smaller. For instance, when it comes to moisturizing eye cream, you’ll need a tiny bit to cover the under-eye area. The same rule applies to face cream, serum, and other products with a similar consistency. Serums are expensive, so you’ll need to be careful not to go overboard.
As far as cleansers and toners are concerned, you will need a lot more product since they cover large areas of your face. That’s why you should opt for a grape-sized amount – this is the only way to ensure that your whole face is being cleansed.
Overly Exfoliating Your Skin
Exfoliating is fun and crucial for keeping a healthy appearance. It gets rid of dead skin cells and bacteria and helps us unclog our pores, which is the number one contributor to spots.
But how much exfoliation is too much? And how can you know if you’ve gone overboard?
Here’s the tricky part. Our skin's barrier has a protective function and helps us preserve our soft and healthy skin. Without it, all kinds of stuff will penetrate deeply into our pores and cause congestion and breakouts. When you over-exfoliate, you risk removing or damaging this crucial layer and creating other issues.
Over-exfoliating will remove the top layer, and your pores will be left exposed and vulnerable, making your skin prone to a wide range of problems and irritation. To avoid this nightmare, keep exfoliation to a minimum.
You are the best judge to determine when your face needs exfoliation. For instance, if it starts to look dry, flaky, and dull, it’s a sign that you should indulge in some pampering exfoliation practice.
Dermatologists recommend exfoliating two to three times a week. Stick to this number, and you won't face any problems. Add a face mask and a bath, and create a relaxing evening - it will certainly lower your stress levels!
You can use a couple of products and techniques during the process. The easiest way is to simply purchase a product from the drugstore and gently massage it into your face. These exfoliating products usually contain acids and enzymes that help smooth your skin. You could also try chemical exfoliators. This method is more abrasive than using products, so make sure you talk it over with your doctor. You could also make a DIY exfoliator.
Make sure to start moisturizing immediately after!
Not Applying Sunscreen
We get it. You’re probably bored to death of hearing how important it is to protect your skin from harsh elements, including the sun. You probably know all about how harmful the sun’s UV rays are to our health in general. And yet, knowing all these facts, you probably still skip applying SPF.
Adding another step to your skincare process can be tedious. You can certainly use that extra time in the morning to sleep in and get your well-deserved rest. But using protection is equally as important to your beauty and health as sleep. Taking those extra few seconds in the morning to apply sunscreen is a worthwhile pursuit.
The sun ages the skin, and it exasperates signs of aging. It directly affects the process of collagen production, and it makes fine lines and wrinkles even more visible on the face. Not only will forgoing sunscreen add years to your face, but it will also cause you to suffer from other issues like redness, hyperpigmentation, sunburn, dark spots, and allergies. Skipping sunblock also increases the chances of getting skin cancer.
Choose a hypoallergenic, oil-free sunscreen and start taking this habit seriously. If you like using make up and don’t have much time in the morning, consider getting tinted sunscreen. These function as two-in-one products – sunscreen and a BB cream, saving you a couple of steps in the morning when you want to spend extra time on your skincare routine.
Not Paying Attention to Your Neck Area
This common skincare mistake is aging you!
The neck is one of the easiest tells of our age. It’s a delicate area with thin skin prone to aging. That's why you should treat your neck like your face. After all, you don't just want your face to be youthful and wrinkle-free - you also need to give some attention to the delicate parts of your body, such as your neck and hands.
So, which products should you use on your neck? This is where it gets kind of complicated.
Stick to the basics. This includes using a gentle cleanser morning and night and following it up with a moisturizer, just like you do with your face.
Neck exfoliation is also important. However, be extra careful with it. Over-exfoliation can result in redness and even painful, itchy, and dry patches. Using a good anti-aging moisturizer afterward is key. If you want to add more products, like creams and serums, feel free.
Use gentle and easy motions when applying products, and make sure you stop using them if your neck reacts.
Going to Bed Right After You Apply Your Skincare Routine
How many times have you gone to bed right after finishing your elaborate skin care routine? You'll be surprised to know that you shouldn't! If you go to sleep right after you've finished your skincare, chances are your skin will absorb very little of the products you put on it.
Your products need at least an hour to penetrate your skin and work to their full extent. So wait at least that long after applying if you don’t want your efforts to go to waste. Otherwise, the products will just rub off on your pillowcase, wasting your precious time and a lot of money you could’ve spent on something else.
We recommend you apply your products as early as possible, preferably right after you come home from a long day of work or school. Not only will this give them enough time to work, but it will also mean you're removing that pore-clogging make-up as soon as possible.
Another drawback of waiting until before you go to bed is that you might be too tired to follow up with your whole routine. This is understandable, but it will lead to poor skin. The earlier you get it over with, the more likely you'll achieve great skin.
Overdoing DIY Products
We all love trying out a good DIY product from time to time. After all, it saves us money and time, and it’s very fun to experiment with all the different techniques and ingredients.
That being said, not all skincare products can be made at home. The internet can actually do more harm than good and inspire us to experiment, even when it’s dangerous.
Just because a product is labeled natural, it doesn’t mean that it will help you. Yes, it's true that natural ingredients will help a certain group of people, but that group might not include you. Some of these products are so harsh that they might irritate your face or even cause itchiness, inflamed skin, and an allergic reaction.
You have two options. Either be extra careful when choosing the ingredients by doing your research and using a patch test or consult a board-certified dermatologist to make this process a whole lot easier. A dermatologist will give you concrete advice based on your particular skin type. This will help you without putting you at risk of irritation.
Go for trusted ingredients. These include turmeric, baking soda, tea tree oil, and coconut oil. If you notice any negative side effects, stop using the ingredient immediately. Here at Misumi, we recommend many home remedies that are safe for your face.
Now we’ve covered the products you probably won’t have a problem with, let’s explore the ingredients known to cause trouble. These ingredients include apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and comedogenic oils.
These ingredients contain a pH level that's just not ideal for our faces, especially those who suffer from sensitive skin. By using products with a problematic pH level, we risk damaging the protective layer of our skin. This is dangerous to us in the long run, so make sure you avoid using these harsh ingredients unless you’re instructed to use them by a certified professional.
Not everyone can deal with harsh ingredients, so be extra careful when making exfoliators at home. Avoid using ingredients such as coffee grounds, salt, and sugar. And make sure you grind the ingredients before using them in a recipe.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Just like SPF, we’ve all been warned about the dangers of not getting enough sleep. But what’s the link between beauty sleep and skincare?
A chronic lack of sleep makes our bodies more prone to hormonal imbalance and inflammation. These factors contribute to various issues, including spots and eczema. By not giving your body the proper rest that it needs, you’re worsening existing skin conditions you might have, and putting yourself at risk of developing new ones.
The amount of collagen and hyaluronic acid our body naturally produces is also negatively affected. These ingredients are responsible for keeping us hydrated and wrinkle-free, so we need to do everything in our power to preserve them.
Sleeping is when our body repairs itself. So it makes sense that by not getting enough sleep, our skin suffers on multiple levels. To avoid all the above scenarios, make sure you sleep for at least 7 hours each night.
Not Drinking Enough Water
According to this study, a proper level of hydration is one of the easiest ways to contribute to a healthy and glowing face. Lack of hydration not only affects our body and productivity levels, but it can also manifest itself in our outward appearance. Dry patches, general dryness, and dull complexion are some of the ways your body shows a lack of proper hydration.
You can avoid this by drinking enough water throughout the day. You can also use moisturizers and products that contain hydrating skincare ingredients, such as plant-based oils and hyaluronic acid.
Not Paying Attention to the Food You Eat
Everyone’s diet should include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But if you’re looking to maximize the potential of your skin, it’s even more important to pay attention to the food you eat.
Eating a diet full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is crucial for getting clear skin (and keeping it). But there are also a few products you should stay away from.
Processed sugar is extremely bad for us since it increases overall inflammation. Eating dairy products can take a toll on the skin as well due to the high amount of hormones it contains, so try to find dairy-free alternatives as much as you can.
Takeaway
Getting clear skin and finding a routine that works for you is a rocky and long one. There are many skincare mistakes we make in our day-to-day lives which cause us to break out or give us negative results.
Hopefully, this article helped you discover some skin care mistakes you might have been making and gave you ideas on how to resolve them. It might look like a lot of information, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
References
Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
