Mindless Skin Care Mistakes We Are All Guilty of Making

Dreaming of flawless, glowing skin? Most of us are! But the truth is that you might be sabotaging your skincare routine without even realizing it. Many of us unknowingly make these common skincare mistakes that can wreak havoc on our complexion. Once you know about these mistakes and what to avoid, achieving that smooth, radiant skin you’re after is easier than you think. Keep reading to make sure you’re on the right track so that you can finally get that glowing complexion you have been wanting for so long.

Sleeping With Makeup On

When people say “beauty sleep,” this is not what they mean! You need to remove makeup and clean your face every night before you go to sleep. Otherwise, the makeup will clog your pores and possibly even contribute to wrinkles later on. Of course, this is common sense for most people.

It’s often done because it is just easier and a lazy way to end a day. You shouldn’t try it, though.

Not Washing Your Face

Are you the type of person who takes long baths but doesn’t wash their face after? You might need to rethink that. Your face (and the rest of the skin on your body) needs to be cleaned on a fairly regular basis. Even a quick rinse with water can make a huge difference in your looks.

Ideally, your skincare routine will involve a gentle cleanser.

Washing Too Frequently

Though you always should aim to keep your face clean, there’s such a thing as overdoing it. You should try to wash your face every other day. Washing it too often can strip your skin of oil, dry it out, and cause acne breakouts.

This is also a major reason to avoid harsh chemicals. It can rough up your skin and strip it of necessary oils.

Exfoliation Overkill

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells on the face. You can do it via scrubbing, facial masks, and facial scrubs…just to name a few methods. In small doses done gently, it’s a great thing for your skincare routine. Done too frequently or too roughly, it can inflame your skin and cause breakouts.

If you’re unsure what products to use or how to clean your face, ask a dermatologist or skincare tech.

Using Old Makeup

Did you know that makeup has expiration dates? It’s true, and you can actually check them by looking for a small jar symbol with a number next to it. The number details how many months you can safely use the makeup. Using makeup past the expiration date can harm your skin due to rising levels of bacteria.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Not Cleaning Your Phone Or Pillows Frequently

We all talk on our phone quite a bit. When we do, we press our phones up to our faces. That seems unrelated to skincare until you realize that the bacteria from our phones tends to end up on our faces. If you’re not wiping down your phones regularly, you’re putting some seriously foul bacteria all over your face.

On a similar note, this is why you need to keep your pillows clean, too. If it touches your face, it should be cleaned regularly.

Not Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

Phones and pillows aren’t the only grody things we tend to allow to touch our faces. If you wear makeup, you should make sure that your makeup brushes are cleaned on a monthly basis at a bare minimum. If you use wet products on your brushes like foundation, cleaning them weekly or even daily is a wiser choice.

Not cleaning those brushes can cause oil and bacteria buildup that will end up on your face. Gross!

Ignoring Dry Skin

Did you notice your skin being a bit dry? Rather than just wash your face, it may be time to ramp up your moisturizer routine. Dry skin is a sign of dehydration and a need for more moisture in your skin. Drinking extra water and also giving your skin a quick pep-up with a better moisturizer can help you keep your glow for longer.

If you are still dealing with dry skin while using moisturizer, it might be time to get a thicker formula. Many people switch moisturizers in winter simply because cold air tends to dry skin out faster.

Ignoring Your Diet And Sleep

Your skin is a good reflection of your overall health. If you notice your skin looking sallow, saggy, dry, or pimple-prone, your diet might be lacking certain nutrients. Beefing up your vitamin and mineral intake can fix certain things, including a pallid skin tone.

The right diet can improve your skin, but it’s important to note that dieting alone won’t cure or cause acne. It’s often a multifaceted issue. This just tweaks one of those facets.

Using The Wrong Products

Ask any dermatologist, and they’ll tell you that skincare is never a one-size-fits-all deal. Every person has their own unique skincare needs. This is also true about skincare products. People with sensitive skin need products that are super gentle. Men often need more thorough skincare products. Older people need more moisturizer in their routine.

If you don’t know what products to use, ask a dermatologist or a skincare professional. Otherwise, you might end up in Acne City.

Not Wearing Sunscreen

Sunscreen is not just for pale people who fry up in the sun. It’s for everyone. It’s common knowledge that sunscreen is a major part of skincare. Sunscreen doesn’t just protect against burns and skin cancer. It also helps prevent premature aging from those harmful UV rays.

If you go out for a dip in the pool, make sure to reapply your sunscreen. You have to continually apply it for it to continue working. SPF 30 is a good start for most people.

Not Being Consistent

Skincare is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. To get good results, you need to practice your skincare routine consistently with the same products, on the same routine. If you aren’t doing things on a regular basis, you’re not going to get the full results you want. So, keep on washin’!

Using Bad Products

Having a few good products is much better than owning a massive amount of trash. Choose only the best brands using natural products and high-quality ingredients, whether your makeup, creams, or moisturizers. After all, you will apply these almost daily on your skin. You surely don’t want to buy anything containing bad ingredients that may do more harm than good.

Using Too Much Product

Another common mistake is using too much product. Especially if you purchased high-quality items, you will probably have to use just a pinch to see results. When in doubt, always read your labels. For most items, the suggested quantity will be written on their bottles. If not, you can ask for more information at the shop where you made your purchase.

Forgetting Seasonal Adjustments

As the seasons change, so does your skin. Most of us experience drier skin in the cold winter months and greasier skin in the hot summer. When your skin starts to change with the season, you also need to change your skincare routine. You may need less moisturizer in the summer while you have to pile it on in the winter. Also, make sure you assess the color of your makeup in both summer and winter. Your skin tone will change throughout the seasons which means your makeup should also change.

Using The Same Routine For AM and PM

Your morning skincare routine should be completely different from your nighttime routine. Your morning skincare routine should focus on protection, and you should use products like sunscreen and antioxidants to shield your skin from environmental damage throughout the day. At night, your routine should shift to repair and hydration. Go for things like deep cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments like retinol to restore and rejuvenate your skin as you sleep.