Acne, dry, tired-looking skin? Here are some of the most frequent skin care mistakes you are probably making right now and which you need to avoid.
Hi there ladies!
Let’s have a chat about skin care today.
Aren’t we all looking for that glowing, clear, and truly healthy (not just healthy “looking”) skin? To be able to walk outside foundation-free and still feel super confident?
Well, to get there, we need to make sure we are taking good care of our skin – we give it the proper nourishment (from the outside and the inside) and the right protection against external factors, such as sun, pollution, and so on.
And we all know this, right? Of course. Yet there are so many things we get wrong during our skincare routines or in our daily lives that have a direct impact on how our skin looks and feels.
Here are some of the most frequent skin care mistakes you are probably making right now and which you definitely need to stop.
Most of them I am guilty of myself, so I speak from experience. 😉
But I have also been surprised how many women around me still keep making these mistakes without even realizing they are doing a huge disservice to their skin in the long run.
Top Skin Care Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Mistake #1: Going to bed with your makeup on
This is, by far, THE WORST THING you can do to your skin.
For every night you sleep with your makeup on, your skin needs ONE WEEK to recover.
One whole week! I remember reading this years ago and I was blown away!
So, no matter how tired you are, do make sure you ALWAYS remove your makeup before going to bed. It’s ok to skip the eye cream or serum if you don’t feel like going through the full skincare routine, but cleaning your face before going to sleep is an absolute must.
Btw, this is also valid if you don’t wear any makeup at all. There will still be lots of dust particles and impurities building on your skin throughout the day, so a quick wipe with micellaire water will do the trick.
This is definitely one of the skin care mistakes I never make, either I feel like it or not, tired or not, I always always always remove my makeup before bed.
Mistake #2: Not wearing sunscreen on your face
Ok, this one I’ve been guilty of for A LONG time. It wasn’t until recently, (in my 30s), at the advice of my dermatologist that I have actually started taking sunscreen seriously when it comes to applying it on my face.
So don’t do like me. THE SOONER YOU START, THE BETTER since your skin needs protection from the damaging effects of the sun. We don’t want our skin to age faster than it already does, do we?!
Whether you use a moisturizer with SPF included or apply a separate sunscreen after that, both are great. Just make sure that the SPF factor is above 30 (as per my dermatologist’s reco).
And remember, sunscreen is not only for summer, or sunny days. Even if you don’t see the sun, it can still see you, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen before leaving the house, even if it’s cloudy.
Mistake #3: Not using the correct products (for your skin type) OR in the right order
Dry, mixed, oily, or sensitive? Knowing your skin type is super important in choosing the right products to use on your face.
You can easily find this out during a quick check with a skincare expert, cosmetician or even better, a dermatologist.
There is nothing worse than using the wrong products on your skin, and in some cases, it can cause real harm. For example, using a toner that contains alcohol is great for oily skin, but not recommended for dry or sensitive ones.
Also, you have to make sure you are using your skin care products in the correct order. It goes like this:
- Cleanser (am & pm)
- Serum (am/pm or both)
- Eye cream (am & pm)
- Face cream (am & pm)
- Sunscreen SPF (am – before leaving the house, or before applying foundation if wearing makeup)
Mistake #4: Not using eye cream or serums
One of the most frequent skin care mistakes I often hear about is not using eye creams and/or serums.
The skin around the eyes is much thinner, more delicate, and requires extra care and attention. It’s also the one to show the first signs of aging, such as fine lines, so we need to make sure it’s properly taken care of.
If you’re looking for a good eye cream to start with, try Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – a top favorite of beauty experts (I bought it after I’ve seen Lisa Eldridge recommending it as THE best) and for good reason – it’s super nourishing.
Serums are a great way to add an amazing cocktail of active and powerful ingredients to deeply nourish and hydrate your skin. Applied once or twice a day (mornings or evenings), they will boost the efficacy of your moisturizer and leave your skin looking healthy and glowing.
If you’re looking to splurge on one skin care product, make it the serum.
Mistake #5: Neglecting your neck & décolleté area
It’s very important to not forget to bring the same kind of love and attention you show to your face, also to your neck and décolleté areas.
Here the skin is often thinner and more delicate. Just like the eyes, the neck and decollete are the areas of the body to first show signs of aging. So make sure to apply your serums and moisturizer here as well.
Mistake #6: Not consulting a dermatologist
Guilty of this one too!
I’ve always believed you only need to see a dermatologist if you have skin problems.
As I never actually had major skin issues, besides small redness and some breakouts once in a while, I never saw the point.
Until recently, when I decided to visit a dermatologist and have my rosacea (slight skin redness) checked. Boy, was I in for a surprise!
Besides offering specific treatment for rosacea, she also told me I have sensitive and DRY skin. Imagine my surprise as I had always believed my skin type was mixed (due to a slightly oilier T-zone).
What’s worse, is that for so many years, I had been using the WRONG PRODUCTS on my skin – such as toners and exfoliants – which only made my skin condition worse. (see mistake #3!)
Mistake #7: Rubbing your skin too hard
This is particularly important for sensitive skin, but I’m sure it can apply to all skin types as well.
Do watch out not to rub your skin too hard while removing your make up.
Apply a cream cleanser on the tip of your fingers or on a cotton pad and gently massage it into your skin. The movements should be in a circular motion and from down up according to beauty experts.
Mistake #8: Switching skincare products too often
For those of you always looking for the next best product out there, I’m sure this is pretty tough to do. I get it.
You need to remember that our skin usually takes a few weeks to get used to a new product and you should expect to see results only after 4-5 weeks. Sometimes even longer.
So be patient and give your skin time to adjust. Don’t bring in new face care products every week.
Mistake #9: Not changing your pillowcase often enough
This might be a surprising skin care mistake. Changing your bedsheets once a month? Or every 2 weeks? Believe it or not, this is not enough. Not changing your pillowcase on a frequent and regular basis can negatively affect your skin.
Just like we clean our skin every evening before bed, it’s also important that the pillowcase we lay our face on every night is also kept clean, as bacteria and dust and old skin cells stick to it.
If you’re not able to change your pillowcase every 2-3 days, as what seems to be the general recommendation, try to do it at least every week.
Mistake #10: Working out with your make up on
I’m not sure who needs to read this, but Olga of 2018 definitely needed to.
This is SO bad for your skin yet I’m sure there are many women out there still doing it.
I used to go to the gym right after work (remember when gyms were open, feels like ages ago!). I changed into my workout gear and hit the barre class. Sweating like crazy for 45 minutes with a full face of makeup. This is really bad for the skin as makeup, combined with sweat clogs the pores.
So next time you hit the gym, pack some makeup removal wipes in your bag and always clean your face before the workout.
Mistake #11: Not cleaning your makeup brushes
I know this is such a hassle and you probably don’t feel like doing it that often. But it’s important.
Bacteria and old makeup residue accumulates on the makeup brushes we use every day, so cleaning them on a regular basis is a must. Once a month should do it.
I am definitely guilty of this one and am convinced it’s one of the most frequent skin care mistakes women all over the world still make without even knowing.
Mistake #12: Not drinking enough water
Ok, I am pretty sure you know this one by now but it is SO worth mentioning.
Hydrating your skin FROM THE INSIDE is even more important, in my opinion, than all the fancy, expensive products we like to apply to our skin.
So do make sure you get your 2L of water a day. If it’s a struggle (as it is for me), try adding some mint leaves, lemon, or whatever makes you happy and excited to drink more water. I found that basil + strawberry is an amazing combination as well. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Since we’re on the topic of nourishing our skin from within, a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating also play a big part. Try to avoid smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol, or eating too many sweets.
Looking to cut down on sugar but feel addicted to it? So did I. Check out these tips on how to reduce your sugar intake. It does wonders for your skin. Ever since I drastically reduced sugar from my diet, I’ve noticed my face has been clearer and had fewer breakouts.
Here we have it, 12 common skin care mistakes to stay away from, for healthy, glowing skin.
I hope you found this helpful and do let me know if there are other ones you’ve come across as well.
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