Skincare Routine Mistakes That Are Sabotaging Your Glow

What are some common skincare mistakes?

Ooo yes — even with the best intentions, there are some super common skincare mistakes that can actually mess with your glow game! Here’s a list of what to avoid so your skin stays healthy and happy:

🚫 1. Not Wearing Sunscreen Daily

Biggest mistake! UV rays = premature aging, pigmentation, and skin cancer risk.
👉 Wear SPF every day, rain or shine, indoors or outdoors.

🧼 2. Over-Cleansing

Washing too often or using harsh cleansers can strip your skin’s natural oils.
👉 Twice a day (AM + PM) is enough for most people.

❌ 3. Using Too Many Actives at Once

Layering retinol, vitamin C, exfoliants, etc., without guidance can lead to irritation, dryness, or breakouts.
👉 Introduce actives slowly and don’t mix clashing ingredients.

🧽 4. Skipping Moisturizer (Even with Oily Skin)

Oily skin still needs hydration! Skipping it can cause your skin to overproduce oil.
👉 Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula.

💤 5. Not Removing Makeup Before Bed

Sleeping in makeup clogs pores, causes breakouts, and speeds up aging.
👉 Always cleanse — even if you’re tired!

⏳ 6. Being Inconsistent

Skincare takes time. Constantly switching products won’t give results and might trigger irritation.
👉 Stick to a routine for at least 4–6 weeks before judging results.

💦 7. Not Applying Products on Damp Skin

Hydrating products (like serums and moisturizers) absorb better on slightly damp skin.
👉 Don’t let your face fully dry after cleansing.

🧴 8. Using Too Much Product

More isn’t always better. Using too much can overwhelm skin or waste product.
👉 A pea-sized amount is often enough for serums/creams.

🔄 9. Ignoring Neck & Hands

These areas age too and need skincare love!
👉 Extend your products down to your neck and the back of your hands.

🧪 10. DIY Skincare with Harsh Ingredients

Using lemon juice, baking soda, or toothpaste? Please don’t. These can damage your skin barrier.
👉 Stick to dermatologist-approved ingredients.

Why is my skin getting worse with a skincare routine?

Totally understandable question — it can feel super frustrating when you’re trying to take care of your skin and it just… gets worse. 😩 But don’t worry, it’s actually a common experience, and here’s why that might be happening:

🔄 1. Skin Purging (Totally Normal – Sometimes)

If you’ve introduced active ingredients like:

Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin)
AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, salicylic acid)
Vitamin C

Your skin might purge — meaning breakouts appear as clogged pores come to the surface faster than usual.
👉 Good sign: It happens in areas you normally break out, and usually improves in 4–6 weeks.

🚫 2. You’re Using the Wrong Products for Your Skin Type

Too rich or oily? Might clog pores.
Too drying? Can strip your skin and trigger oil overproduction or irritation.
Too harsh? Might damage your skin barrier.

👉 Always match products to your skin type: dry, oily, combo, sensitive, or acne-prone.

⚖️ 3. You’re Using Too Many New Products at Once

Trying a full 5-step routine overnight? Your skin might freak out.
👉 Introduce one new product at a time, every few days or once a week, to see how your skin reacts.

🧪 4. Ingredients Are Clashing

Some combos don’t play nice:

Vitamin C + Retinol = irritation
AHAs/BHAs + Retinol = over-exfoliation
Niacinamide + Vitamin C (controversial but can cause sensitivity for some)

👉 Be strategic with your layering and use actives at different times (like retinol at night, vitamin C in the morning).

🧴 5. Over-Exfoliating or Over-Cleansing

Too much scrubbing or exfoliation can damage your skin barrier, causing:

Redness
Dry patches
Breakouts
Burning or stinging

👉 Stick to exfoliating 2–3x a week and use gentle cleansers.

🧼 6. Inconsistent Routine or Switching Too Often

Your skin needs time to adjust. If you’re constantly changing products, it can never settle.
👉 Give your routine 4–6 weeks before judging.