17 Common Skin Care Mistakes, And Remedies For Them

Last updated on : June 14 2021

Common Skincare Mistakes

Do you follow a skincare routine, including cleansing and moisturizing? If so, what if we told you that you're doing it all wrong?

You might be sitting there and thinking: How hard can skincare or face washing be? I wash my face twice a day and stock up on cleanser and moisturizers to keep beautified?

However, you may be shocked to know that many can go wrong, from using face wipes, soap bars, or moisturizers that don't match your skin type. These typical mistakes, and more, can be holding you back from getting the beautiful, brighter skin that you've always wanted.

But now, you might be thinking: Who has the time to think about the little things that can be bad about how I'm washing my face?

Well, not to worry, this article covers the most common skincare mistakes that people make in their skincare routines and how you can avoid making them. And in a separate section, we've put together a simple yet effective skincare routine for you to follow. 

1. Not Considering Your Skin Type

The first thing to remember is that a single product is not for everyone. Why not? Because everyone has different skin types: dry, oily, acne-prone, or a combination of all these things.

A particular skincare product may not work for you because it's not suited for your skin's unique needs. For example, a product that treats people with dry skin may not be the best option for you if you suffer from oily skin. So, before you buy a skincare product, make sure you know your skin type first.

Is there acne? Is there dryness in certain areas? These are some of the questions to consider when looking for the right product for your skin needs.

When finding out what skin type the product will benefit, make sure you have the matching skin type or put it back on the store shelf. There's no need to waste money on a product that won't benefit you.

Now, if the product claims that it'll work for "all skin types," and if you're in a hurry to replenish your stock, then proceed with caution. Just because it says that it's for "all skin types" doesn't necessarily mean that it'll work out for you in the end.

If you want to see results, though, make sure you find a product that best meets the needs of your skin. Again, it's best to know your skin type.

2. Not Reading The Label

You have to figure out what types of product ingredients are suitable for your skin; don't leave it to chance. Again, everyone has a different skin type; so, it's proper always to read the label.

However, it's understandable that some ingredients can be hard to decipher or to pronounce, mostly if you're wondering which product will be the right one for you.

There are so many ingredients out there that have weird names, making it hard to figure out which ones to avoid and which ones are alright.

But don't panic. We found that one of the most common ingredients to avoid in a skincare product is parabens. What is that?

Parabens are chemicals like methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. They are the preservatives in many skincare products, including shampoos, makeup, cleansers, lotions, etc. These chemicals may disrupt your hormones or cause breast cancer.

In short, try to avoid skincare products that contain ingredients like parabens; and, instead, opt for products made with natural ingredients.

3. Excessively Using Face Wipes

Pulling and tugging at your skin is never good, but using face wipes to remove any makeup will only make things worse. So, why do people still use wipes?

Consider this: People will argue that time is a factor in their lives. In fact, with busy schedules, people find face wipes as a quick alternative to washing their faces if they're in a hurry or too exhausted to stand in front of a sink for a few minutes. Does this sound like you? If so, then it's understandable.

However, if you care about your skin, you should think twice before picking up another face wipe. 

Using face wipes to cleanse is never the way to go. It can be very tempting to substitute proper cleansing with using these wipes. Wipes and cleansing cloths should only be used for emergencies, not to slack off on routines and think that they'll be as good as regular face-washing.

Proper face-washing does all the heavy lifting by actually cleaning your skin (the surface and down into the pores), versus a simple face wipe that only takes off part of the dirt and grime on your skin's surface.

So cleanse thoroughly every day without face wipes for the best way to get brighter, healthier skin, primarily if you're used to wearing makeup and being on the go all the time.

4. Incorrectly Caring For Blemishes

Blemishes can be embarrassing to have at times, especially when you're out in public (whether for work, school, outings, etc.), and people can see you with breakouts.

And, blemishes can be more complicated to take care of than you might realize.

"Blemishes tend to be unpredictable, which means you can break out at any time in your life," says Natasha Talbot, a health blogger at Academadvisor and Academized.

It can also be hard to determine what type of blemish it is. And the worse part about this is that picking at it or applying the wrong products to it, or at the wrong time, will only worsen the situation.

The last thing you want is to end up with your blemish lasting longer than it should or stuck with a dark or red scar from a post-breakout for months to come.

First, consider the type of blemish that you're facing. Two common types are pustular blemishes and cystic blemishes.

• A pustular blemish is when a whitehead becomes visible on the face. Avoid squeezing or popping the pimple as it can lead to scarring. Instead, wait it out or apply a topical treatment formulated for acne. Many of these you can buy over the counter. The medication will work its way into the skin, getting rid of what's left of the infection.
• A cystic blemish, mainly a nuisance in the chin and jaw areas, is notorious for being stubborn, which means that it won't rise to the skin's surface like pustular blemishes. The biggest thing to remember about this is that you should never pick at cyst-like blemishes. Instead, try treating it with an anti-cyst treatment, which will dissolve the infection and prevent future cysts from forming under the skin.

5. Using Bar Soap To Wash Your Face

Oh, no. Can't find your go-to moisturizer? Well, you go to the bar soap. Right? That might not be a good idea, after all.

We might use soap bars as a simple go-to product for your face if you can't find your moisturizer. But if you wash your face with a bar of soap – cheap or expensive – you'll immediately rob your skin of nourishment and moisture, and instead, create dead skin and cell buildup.

And, if you happen to find your moisturizer at this point, you won't do yourself any favors by wasting the product to replace what the bar of soap has eradicated from your skin.

Since bars of soap tend to have a high pH balance, they can be too drying for most skin types, and they can rob your skin of any exfoliants (now turned into dead skin cells, at this point) that you're using (AHA's, BHA's and facial scrubs).

So, skip the bar soaps, look for soap-free gel cleansers that are mild to your skin type, and are sulfate-free.

6. Using A Facial Scrub Every Day

Our skin regenerates naturally. However, we can use facial scrubs to make the process go faster. Yes, a face scrub can speed up the shedding of your skin and cleanse it, but if you scrub every day, you risk rubbing off your skin's protective layer.

Generally speaking, scrubs or rough brushes are not the right solutions for cleansing the face. Instead, try a natural peel, either at a salon or at home. 

There are many items for home use that can softly and painlessly remove dead skin cells. For example, you can do a coffee scrub easily at home. 

Lastly, limit your face scrubs to once or twice a week maximum to avoid any damage to your skin. 

7. Using The Same Pillowcase For Too Long 

No matter how well you wash and cleanse before going to bed, your pillowcase collects dust, skin flakes (including those of any person you share your bed with), plus all the mites and bacteria that feed off what you leave behind.

After a few days, your pillow is dirty enough to damage the skin on your face, notably to cause blemishes. 

To best avoid this mistake, we recommend changing your pillowcase once every two days. Try using a pillowcase made of silk because it absorbs less sweat and provides less opportunity to collect the nasties that might damage your face. 

8. You're Not Using A Toner

Toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that hydrates the skin and helps remove some dead cells off the skin's surface. It is also like a primer for the rest of your skincare routine. It cleanses the skin and shrinks pores' appearance, and given all the benefits, it is entirely necessary.

By including toner in your set of beauty products, you will most likely avoid skin problems such as dryness, irritation, and rashes. Importantly, choose a toner that doesn't contain alcohol, which can be too astringent and dry out the skin. 

9. You're Using a Powder To Remove Oily Shine

If your face has an oily shine that you don't like, don't use face powder to get rid of it. Although on the surface, face powder might give you a matte look you want, it's likely combining with your skin oils and clogging your pores. 

Instead, try matting wipes. They won't provide a long-lasting effect, but they will remove excess oil from the face without causing clogged pores.

10. You Don't Wash Your Face After Showering

It's better to wash your face with a small amount of a cleanser after taking your shower.

Washing your face after showering is necessary because the shampoo and conditioner you use to clean your hair might contain chemicals that are not good for your face - they can cause irritation, redness, or worsen already existing acne.

So get into the routine of removing cosmetics from your face before taking a shower. And a final clean of your face with a cleanser after your shower and hair wash.

11. You Don't Use SPF On Cloudy Days

Most of us understand the importance of sun protection and use it on sunny days. But are you aware the sun is just as dangerous on cloudy days? 

Harmful UV rays are always present, even on cold, cloudy days. And so it's necessary to protect your skin all year round with SPF.

For ease, buy a moisturizing high SPF cream, and it will be enough to protect the health of your skin on these cloudy days.

12. You're Touching Your Face Too Much

You may not even realize that you do it (studies show we touch our face up to 16 times an hour), but continually touching your face can irritate, cause inflammation, and spread bacteria. It can also significantly increase the risk of infection from the flu and the new coronavirus. 

In addition to touching, if you're picking at your skin, it can lead to acne and even scarring.

If you're experiencing problems with touching or picking at your face, be aware that it's a habit you can break.

To start, be mindful about not touching your face, and place reminders around your home and office not to do it. Use a scented hand cleaner or lotion and allow the smell to remind you not to touch your face. Try wearing a face mask or gloves to make it more difficult.

Also, try keeping your hands busy with something else, like folding the laundry or writing. Lastly, interlock your fingers when you don't need your hands.    

13. You're Using Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are as bad as spending time under the hot sun.

Indoor tanning beds contain UVA and UVB rays and can damage your skin and cause skin cancer - they will also make your skin leathery and age prematurely.

Many states have passed laws regulating indoor tanning to protect young and uninformed people because of the myths.

14. You're Using Essential Oils On Your Face

Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants, like tea tree or lavender oils. They usually come concentrated, and some types might be incredibly astringent.

As a result, be careful which ones you apply directly to your face as they can cause a reaction. Avoid them entirely if you experience a rash or irritation. 

Read More - 5 Deadly Toxins That You Must Avoid in Your Skin Care

15. Not Washing Your Face Before Going To Bed

Cleansing your face before going to bed is essential. We expose ourselves to so much dirt and pollution during the day and need to wash it off, together with our makeup before going to bed.

If you can, try to cleanse your face twice a day and after sweating or exercise. However, be careful not to over-cleanse as this can dry out and strip your skin of vital oils - so find a balance. 

If you feel you never have enough time to cleanse before going to bed, try this 3-minute basic nighttime skincare routine, it should work correctly for you.  

16. You're Ignoring Your Neck

A typical skincare mistake is ignoring your neck. Don't stop your cleanse and skincare routines at your jawline - include your neck too.

As a minimum, don't forget to exfoliate, moisturize, and apply sunscreen to your neck. Ignoring your neck can easily expose it to sun damage or signs of aging.  

17. Not Checking Your Skin With An Expert Or Dermatologist On Time

Consider seeing your healthcare provider or a dermatologist at least once a year for a full-body skin exam to avoid complications and for peace of mind. 

Too often, dermatologists see patients who have waited until their acne has left scars or when a skin growth has become cancerous. Avoid this by taking precautions in time.  

Conclusion

Skincare shouldn't have to be complicated if you know what common mistakes to avoid and how to avoid them.

Understandably, with busy schedules, late-night outings, or not having a good knowledge of what products to use, it can be hard to keep in mind all the advice we receive on skincare.

However, try to stop committing the common mistakes we outlined in this article. They are easy to avoid the next time you head to the bathroom to cleanse or apply products to your face and will make a vast improvement to the health of your skin, leaving it glowing and supple. 

Remember to have a consistent skincare routine that will keep you on the right track to healthy, gorgeous skin, and to make an effort to match your hair color to your revitalized skin tone. 

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