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These common skincare mistakes might be the ‘why’ behind your dull skin and breakouts…
When creating your skincare routine, what is most important to you? That all the products suit your skin type? That it helps you keep this one particular skin issue under control?
Those are good goals, but they allow for a lot of skincare mistakes to sneak their way into your regimen. Before starting to treat your skin, it is always a good idea to take a step back and take a good look at anything that might harm your skin in a long run.
And we are all guilty of these. In fact, many skincare mistakes are so commonly made, we already heard about them so many times. So, so many times.
And there’s a reason for it. Things like not wearing sunscreen regularly, picking zits with dirty fingers, not drinking enough water, often indulging in junk food, going to bed with your makeup on… They can all cause havoc on your skin and lead to breakouts and premature aging signs.
But there are other common skincare mistakes we are not even aware of making. And if you don’t know why your skin often looks dull, and your products don’t work as well as they should, and you frequently get a random zit… Girl, one of these down below might be it!
So, here are some of the biggest skincare mistakes to avoid when building your daily routine…
Skincare mistake #1:
Using the same moisturizer for day and night
If you’ve been wondering if day and night moisturizers really are one and the same thing and whether you could get away with using just one, the answer is – not quite. Your skin is facing different challenges during the daytime and nighttime; it only makes sense it would also require different care.
SPF, for example, is an absolute necessity during the day, while it would be completely useless at night. Day moisturizers also need to create a barrier against the elements and to provide a good base for makeup.
Night, on the other hand, is a great time for the skin to heal and rejuvenate itself. That is why night creams are typically thicker and more nourishing and replenishing.
Skincare mistake #2:
Using makeup wipes to remove makeup
A product people either swear by or passionately hate, but we are going to have to vote ‘nay’ on this one. Makeup wipes can’t thoroughly remove all the makeup. And even if you follow with a cleanser, many makeup wipes can still be too harsh or irritating, and they are bad for the environment.
Have you ever tried out double cleansing? It requires only a little bit more of your time, and it does wonders for the skin.
The first cleanser is typically oil based and it dissolves all the oil based makeup and sunscreen. The second, regular face wash removes all the bacteria, grime and oil cleanser residue.
Skincare mistake #3:
Not moisturizing immediately after cleansing
The best time to apply your serum and moisturizer is right after you’ve washed your face. Don’t wait for your skin to completely dry. Hydrate while your skin is still slightly damp from water (or toner or essence, if you are using one).
The reason behind this is simple – right after you’ve washed your face, the water starts to evaporate from your skin. The trick is to prevent this loss of hydration before it even gets a chance to happen. Plus, damp skin absorbs moisturizers better than dry skin.
Skincare mistake #4:
Under or over exfoliating
Exfoliation is a pretty cool skincare trick that allows you to remove all the dead, dull skin cells from the skin’s surface and reveal the bright, young skin underneath. People who never exfoliate miss out on a lot, since skin looks healthier and more even after the exfoliation, plus it absorbs serums and moisturizers better.
However, using too harsh scrubs or too many chemical exfoliants can be counterproductive and it can quickly lead to read, irritated skin. The frequency also matter – the best you can do is stick to the directions from the product’s label, as not all exfoliators are created the same.
Skincare mistake #5:
Using comedogenic products
Many people with oily or acne prone skin will look for oil free skincare and makeup, but the key is to actually look for products that don’t contain comedogenic ingredients. Comedogenic ingredients are the ones with the potential to clog your pores and cause breakouts.
A lot of brands will label their products as ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘formulated for acne prone skin’, which may help your search. Another thing you can do is check the ingredient list and skip products that contain well known comedogenic ingredients, such as beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, algae extract, lauric acid, etc.
Skincare mistake #6:
Applying your retinol in the morning
Another reason why your morning and evening skin care shouldn’t be the same – some of the best skin care ingredients shouldn’t be used during the day. That is either because they increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun or because the ingredients themselves become unstable when exposed to sunlight and heat.
Retinol is one of the ingredients that you should avoid in the morning, but should definitely try and use at night, as it is one of the best skin renewing ingredients. Some other skincare components that should only be a part of your evening regimen include AHAs, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide, kojic acid and certain essential oils and fruit extracts.
Skincare mistake #7:
Using too much humectants in a dry climate
Humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, are among the most sought after skincare ingredients because they thoroughly hydrate the skin and keep it plump and supple. However, if you live in a dry area or if you are often in a dry environment during the winter months (dry outdoors, central heating inside), humectants can do more damage than good.
That is because humectants work by attracting water molecules from the surrounding air and to your skin. But, if the surrounding air is dry, they start to draw water from the deeper layers of the skin and that way even further deplete moisture levels.
Skincare mistake #8:
Not starting early enough with wrinkle prevention
We all age differently and there is no universal answer to when you should start with anti-aging products. But, when it comes to wrinkles and aging spots, prevention is key, so don’t wait for them to develop.
Your products probably already contain at least some rejuvenating ingredients (such as antioxidants, humectants or ceramides). And that’s a start, but you can also slowly start to include other anti-aging ingredients, such as retinol, AHAs and peptides into your routine, and the sooner the better.
Skincare mistake #9:
Not being consistent with your skincare
Your skin likes consistency, and that works both if we are talking about how regularly you take care of it and how often you switch between products. Many of us start to slack as soon as our skin shows first signs of improvement, or we give up on products too quickly if they don’t give instant results.
But, your skin needs constant care and it can take a while for it to turn over and show the full effect. It is on you to find that balance between making necessary changes when needed, but not stop using products before they even get the chance to show you what they can do for your complexion.
Skincare mistake #10:
Depriving your skin of a proper beauty sleep
One of the most common skincare mistakes we all make. Beauty sleep is not a myth or expression – your skin really does rest, repair and renew itself during the night. And you can help it by creating an optimal environment for it to heal and recover from the daily challenges.
Some of it we already talked about – remove your makeup, use a night moisturizer, etc. But it is also important that you make sure you get 7 – 8 hours of sleep every night, as well as that your pillowcases (silk or satin, if possible) are always clean and fresh. You can also use a humidifier, to infuse the dry air with some much needed moisture.
