In this day and age, everyone is aware of the importance of having a skincare routine and following it properly. But how many of us are sure that our skincare routines are correct and that we are not making any mistakes?
In this blog, we shall be looking at the ten most common skincare mistakes that people tend to make so that we can avoid making them moving forward. Everything matters, from cleansing your face to cleaning your makeup brushes; everything has a right and a wrong way of being done. We ourselves are likely guilty of committing one of these mistakes. So let us dive right in to find out.
1. Over-Cleansing or Using Harsh Cleansers
Cleansing our skin is supposed to be good for our skin, right? Yes, but there is a limit to it. Some of us tend to overdo it, and over-cleansing your skin does more harm than good. One of the most basic skincare mistakes that everyone makes is this one. An overly cleansed skin is stripped of its natural oils. This brings with it a plethora of problems, from dryness to irritation, and even excessive oil production. This can be a dangerous trigger for those with sensitive skin.
To combat this problem, we need to first know our products; we need to choose the best cleanser for our skin type—something that is sulfate-free and that is light on our skin, such as this Tammy Fender Cleansing Milk, which is a gentle face wash. We also need to remember to limit the amount of times we wash our face in a day; it is best to limit it to twice and never go hotter than lukewarm.
2. Skipping Sunscreen
Every moment we spend under the light of day, we are exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Unprotected exposure to UV rays is big-time bad news for our skin. It poses a major risk for skin cancer and also causes issues like premature aging, dark spots, etc. This makes sunscreen non-negotiable. But there is a skill to finding the best sunscreen for face protection.
An important aspect of sunscreens is the presence of SPF for skin protection. We need to opt for a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ for the utmost protection. Something like Mineral Creme from MD Solar Sciences would be a great choice. Skincare doesn't end with our morning routine; it is important to remember to reapply our sunscreen every 2 hours for continued protection throughout the day.
3. Ignoring Hydration (Inside and Out)
Dehydrated skin can be an extreme nuisance as it makes the skin dull and flaky. It also causes the skin to wrinkle easily. One needs to build a hydrating skincare routine to avoid having dehydrated skin. We need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to adequately hydrate our body. Eating water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon is also advisable.
Of course, we cannot forget the importance of finding the best moisturizer for dry skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are going to be our best friends when hydration is our goal. The Rich as Croesus Firming Butter by Tronque is the best choice that will meet all your hydration needs.
4. Over-exfoliating or Using Harsh Scrubs
Exfoliating is a great skincare practice. But there is a limit to even the best of things. Our skin definitely does not benefit from overdoing it. It is one of the most common skincare mistakes that most people tend to make, and it affects the skin greatly by damaging our skin barrier and paving the way for sensitive skin, acne triggers, and an entire range of new problems.
So, how often should you exfoliate your skin? It depends on your skin type. For instance, people with oily skin can exfoliate up to 2-3 times a week, whereas people with dry skin need to stop at 1-2 times per week. In the end, it is completely up to how much your skin can take and needs. It is also important to incorporate the habit of gentle exfoliation by using chemical exfoliants instead of physical scrubs. This Elixir Exfoliant from French Farmacie is a great choice for you if you want to get started on a gentle exfoliation journey.
5. Not Removing Makeup Before Bed
The term “Beauty Sleep” is very accurate, as nighttime is when the skin regenerates and heals itself. So it is very important to let our skin breathe and rest at night so it can rejuvenate itself. Thus, sleeping with makeup can cause our pores to get clogged and act as the biggest acne trigger, irrevocably ruining our skin.
It is very important to spend time on a good cleansing routine before hitting the bed. Use micellar water or an oil-based cleanser such as this Cleansing Oil Balm by Futuna Skin before going with a face wash. Nowadays, double cleansing for clear skin is all the rage. It is a very great practice as it ensures the thorough removal of dirt and oil.
6. Using the Wrong Products for Your Skin Type
Having a skincare routine is one of the best practices to follow, but without proper research, this very wellness process can become our detriment. Most of our skin problems, such as breakouts, excessive dryness, and sensitivity, all occur as a result of using the wrong skincare products that were not meant for our skin type. So, the first step is to identify our skin type; only then can we find out what our skin needs and cater to that.
Our skin may be oily, dry, combination, or even sensitive. Each of these skin types has its own needs, and those needs need to be addressed by opting for the right products. For example, someone with oily skin would benefit from using something like this Refining Cleanser from Lesse, while a person with dry skin would need to go for something like the Acqua Serena Micellar Essence from Furtuna Skin.
7. Applying Skincare Products in the Wrong Order
Regardless of what anyone says, there is a correct order of skincare products. Improper layering of skincare products reduces their effectiveness and stops them from doing their job on our skin. So, to make sure all the products that we spend our hard-earned money and time on don't go to waste, we need to follow the best skincare layering practices in our skincare routine. This is the order we need to follow:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serums
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
By following this order, we can ensure that all of the products have an opportunity to seep into the skin and work their magic.
8. Picking at Pimples and Touching Your Face
Picking at pimples affects our skin very badly. Touching our skin and picking at our pimples causes the bacteria present on our skin to spread more, penetrate deep within our skin, cause more breakouts, and worsen the acne scars.
Instead of picking at our pimples, it is better to use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat our pimples and heal them. This way, the acne doesn't spread and can be controlled. A great invention of modern skincare is pimple patches. The hydrocolloid patches work great on acne breakouts, preventing acne scars. These are some of the best acne treatments that are accessible and that make us stop picking at pimples.
9. Not Cleaning Makeup Brushes and Pillowcases Regularly
It does not matter how often you wear makeup, but it is crucial to clean your makeup brushes and pillowcases regularly. Constantly using an unclean makeup brush and sleeping on an unwashed pillowcase can cause breakouts on your face, as bacteria harbored in those items are a major acne trigger. Therefore, it is very important to wash your makeup brushes every week with a gentle soap. Also, our pillowcases need to be changed every 2-3 weeks. It is also highly recommended to use a silk pillowcase, as the texture of silk is much smoother than cotton, which causes less tugging against the skin, which makes it less irritated, and so we can avoid breakouts.
10. Expecting Instant Results and Frequently Switching Products
It is important to remember that our skin is the largest organ of our body, and it is a very complex system. Constantly switching up our routine and changing the products that we are using does not allow us to look at the long-term effects of these products. The products need their time to work on our skin to prove their effects. A minimum of at least 6 weeks needs to be given to a product before deciding if it works for us or not. Also, it is important to only try out one new product at a time to not surprise the skin all of a sudden and to retain the ability to identify which variable suits our skin or does not. Introducing an entire range of new products will also cause the skin to get irritated and damaged. So, consistency and patience are the key to healthy skin.
Embrace the Journey to Better Skin with Sommetbeauty
Skincare isn’t about perfection—it’s about awareness, patience, and treating your skin with the love and attention it truly deserves. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’re already one step closer to achieving healthier, more radiant skin. Remember, the best results come with consistency, care, and choosing products that work for you. At Sommetbeauty, we believe in simplifying your skincare journey with clean, thoughtful formulations tailored to every skin type.
Ready to build a routine that works in harmony with your skin? Explore our curated collection of skincare essentials that nurture, protect, and elevate your skin, one step at a time.