Like any other part of your body, your skin requires daily care, but the wrong care can lead to a number of skin problems. You’ve probably got your skincare routine down to a science. Sticking to the same products, using them in the same order, and never straying from what’s working for you. But what if your skincare routine isn’t promoting your skin health but merely keeping the blemishes at bay. Here are some common skincare mistakes you’re probably making and easy fixes in order to really benefit your complexion.

1. PRODUCTS WITH HARMFUL INGREDIENTS

One common mistake in your skincare routine may be using products with comedogenic ingredients in them. Comedogenic products contain pore-clogging ingredients that lead to acne, breakouts, skin irritation, and blackheads. Ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, sulfated jojoba oil, and castor oil are on the list of comedogenic ingredients that you should avoid in your skincare products. In addition, skincare products often contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and high amounts of phenoxyethanol which can all contribute to irritation and breakouts.
The solution is to scan your skin care product labels and avoid these harmful ingredients. You can also surf the web for product recommendations from skincare experts who review and recommend their best “non-comedogenic” products for you.

2. SLEEPING WITH MAKEUP ON

This mistake is all too common and one that causes a number of issues for your skin. Overnight, your skin goes through a renewal process and when makeup interrupts with step, it can cause major breakouts. So be sure to cleanse your face and apply moisturizer to let your skin rejuvenate and breathe while you sleep.

3. EXFOLIATING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE

Exfoliating is an important step in your weekly skincare routine and should be done at least 2-3 days per week. This step helps to get rid of dead skin cells and excess sebum that can clog your pores and cause blackheads and pimples. Exfoliating too often can lead to dry and red skin, especially if you are prone to dry skin. If you don’t go in with an exfoliator enough, then your pores will certainly clog causing major breakouts. Stick to an exfoliation routine every few days and end your whole routine with a moisturizer to prevent dryness after your scrub.

4. NOT CHANGING YOUR PILLOWCASE OFTEN

Pillowcases can harbor tons of residual bacteria, dirt, oils, and sweat that your skin does not need to be soaking up for 6-8 hours a night. Flip your pillowcase over after 2 nights then switch it out at least once a week or more depending on your skin type. You may also consider switching to silk pillowcases as they are very breathable and can even help prevent major hair loss.

5. PICKING AT YOUR PIMPLES

As unfortunate as acne is, picking at your breakouts can lead to a number of problems and they will not alleviate the appearance or discomfort of your blemishes. First, picking at blackheads and pimples can increase your chances of major acne scarring which are very difficult to disappear. By picking at your pimples, you may also be pushing the trapped bacteria deeper into your skin which produces the opposite effect you wanted to achieve. In general, you will irritate your skin further and cause more redness and breakouts in the same area as your pesky pimple. Avoid popping pimples and blackheads prematurely and go in with an acne treatment gel that may alleviate some of these big breakouts.

6. SKIPPING THE SPF

SPF has never been more talked about in the skincare world and it continues to be one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. Anti-aging experts especially recommend sunscreen to reduce the appearance and development of sunspots, acne scars, and wrinkles that are bound to show up shortly after reaching adulthood. Sunscreen is the LAST step in your daily skincare routine and it is best to choose an SPF that is lightweight and non-greasy to protect your skin from the sun.

7. SAME SKINCARE ROUTINE DAY & NIGHT

Your skincare routine should be different from day to night and this is a common misconception. While your cleanser and moisturizer MAY not need to change, the steps in-between are a cause of concern. Here are some good practices to incorporate into your routine depending on the time of day:

• Apply your sunscreen as the last step of your daily skincare routine
• Use protective products such as antioxidant serum during the day (to steer clear of toxins entering the skin barrier)
• Apply retinol at night for renewing your skin after a long of sweat, oil, dirt, makeup, etc.
• You can also opt to do a single cleanse in the morning and a double-cleanse at night to make sure your skin is clean and refreshed