When it comes to following a skin care routine, you will rarely find even two people having the same routine. While some splash water on their face, slap on a moisturizer (that is, if they remember to) and call it a day while someone else might layer on every single serum they have seen TikTok influencers using, hoping to unlock flawless/glass skin overnight.
Now, irrespective of whether you are a minimalist who barely even remembers to cleanse or are someone who is a skin health enthusiast who follows a 10-step regimen, chances are your daily skin care cosmetics are not working as effectively as you would want them to.
Yup, you read that right. The steps that you are taking to protect and nourish your skin? Chances are that they are doing the most damage. But don’t worry. We are going to fix that today.
Let’s look at the most common mistakes people make when it comes to skin care by following non certified TikTok dermatology specialists’ advice or being too minimal or too diligent in their routine.
1. Cleansing in a hurry
Cleansing should never be about rubbing your face in with a face wash for 5 seconds and then rinsing the product off. According to aestheticians, you should cleanse your face, neck and jawline for at least 60 seconds to effectively remove all the pollution, dirt, and oil.
Here’s what you might be doing wrong –
- Using warm water, it strips away natural oil and damage the skin barrier
- Not doing double cleanse after wearing sunscreen and makeup the entire day
- Using harsh face cleansers that leave your skin feeling way too tight.
Go for a ph-balanced cleanser and if you have been wearing SPF or makeup the entire day, use an oil-based cleanser first before moving to a water-based wash.
2. Being too committed to exfoliation
It is true that exfoliators are a crucial part of every facial regime and beauty tips, but it can work for you only when you do it right. If you are scrubbing your face too harshly or are removing the product within 3 seconds, you are setting yourself up for failure.
Here’s what might be going wrong:
- Exfoliating EVERY day
- Using too many exfoliating products – acids, peels, scrubs
- Not hydrating after exfoliation.
Exfoliate only 2-3 times a week, only with a product that suits your skin type. And irrespective of which exfoliant mode you choose, make sure to hydrate after.
3. Applying daily skin care cosmetics in the wrong order
The correct skin care order is not what product is nearest to you (I wish it was that simple). For example, I used to believe that SPF should be the first product you put on your face followed by moisturizer but it’s actually the opposite! In fact, I used to miss SPFs on most days thinking moisturizer would be enough.
While this was me, here are some other common mistakes that people make:
- Putting on creams before lightweight serum
- Mixing daily skin care cosmetics that don’t go together like Vitamin C and Retinol.
- Putting in ingredients too fast one after another without giving them enough time to absorb.
The golden rule of skin care is to go from thinnest first to thickest last. Start with a cleanser then toner, followed by serum and moisturizer and finally sunscreen.
4. Thinking more products = better skin
We get it. Beauty tips flood in every day, while some are disastrous from the first use, others like Korean beauty trends promise a long-lasting impact. But ultimately, every skin is different and using multiple products or changing them frequently doesn’t guarantee healthy skin, in fact it can cause long-term damage
What you might be doing wrong:
- Following trends without giving your skin enough time to show result
- Using too many active ingredients in one skin care session.
A sure-shot way to fix this is by keeping a simple and consistent skin health routine. A fail-proof lineup is made of gentle cleanser, a good moisturizer, followed by SPF. Any treatment or serum you use beyond this should be based on the actual skin concern and not trends.
5. Not hydrating your oily skin
People with oily skin often believe that their skin doesn’t need hydration, since they secrete it naturally. But the truth can’t be farther away from this.
Here are the common mistakes people make:
- Thinking moisturizers will make them greasier.
- Using moisturizer which is too heavy or is designed for dry or combination skin
- Not sealing hydration post serums.
What you should opt for is an oil-free light-weight moisturizer having hydrating elements like hyaluronic acid. Ultimately, when the skin is hydrated, it would organically produce less oil.
6. Having same skin care routine across the year
Every season comes with its peculiarity. Summer causes dryness or sweating (depending on where you are located), monsoon is known for high moisture in the air, winter is famous for dryness.
When all the seasons are so uniquely different, how can the daily skin care cosmetics be the same?
What you might be doing wrong:
- Using light-weight products in winter when you need maximum hydration
- Applying heavy creams in summer, causing clogged pores.
Adjust the skin care ritual and ingredients seasonally, just as the weather changes.
7. Ignoring patch test
I know the excitement of trying new skin care products the moment you buy them, especially when it is a Korean beauty product or some other trend. But not doing a patch test first can leave a long-lasting impact on your skin.
I remember putting tea tree oil on my skin tag, after seeing numerous YouTube videos. The result? I had a skin burn which has now left a permanent scar!
Here’s what might be happening with you:
- Applying new products on your complete face without doing a patch test
- Having sudden unexplained breakouts or allergic reactions
The only way to fix this is by doing a patch test on your wrist and inner arm and then waiting for 24-48 hours to see results. A small step like this can save you months of stress and regret.
Hundreds and thousands of people make these skin health mistakes everyday, we know that after reading this, you won’t be one of them.
Ultimately when you fix these mistakes, it is important to be mindful of what your skin really needs. While social media and advertisements might trap you into thinking you need a certain hack or products but what you might be needing is just water, after all that is where all the skin health journey starts.
Remember, when in doubt, talk to a professional dermatology specialist or aesthetician.
