Let me start off by noting that I’m not a skincare expert. I’m 25 and have had decently unproblematic skin for most of my life. My main concerns have been dryness, redness, and overall sensitivity, although now I’m noticing some fine lines that I’d like to nip in the bud if I can.
While I always try to be as educated as I can and exercise caution when I try a new product, I’m not foolproof when it comes to my routine. I’ve made many mistakes, and I’m sure I will continue to, but I thought it would be beneficial for some of you out there who aren’t sure what’s a no-no when it comes to skincare. There might be a few things on this list that you didn’t even realize could be affecting your skin negatively! I hope this provides some insight on how to take the best care of your skin, and what to avoid.
Using benzoyl peroxide with retinol
This is my most recent skincare fail. I started introducing a night moisturizer with retinol from the brand Boots in my routine 1-2 times a week. My goals are preventative anti-aging, pore cleansing, and eliminating dullness. For some reason I can’t find the exact moisturizer online anymore, but here is one from Paula’s Choice that I hear is very effective!
I use Differin Daily Deep cleanser with benzoyl peroxide twice a day at the recommendation of my doctor when I expressed some concern about hormonal acne on my chin and jaw area. While it has absolutely helped, it totally does not mix with retinol, at least for my sensitive skin. I first used the retinol moisturizer immediately following the Differin and wowza, did my skin heat up! It was red and hot to the touch. I just wrote it off as some sensitivity to a new product, but then I used my Differin cleanser the following morning and it burned. That was alarming because this cleanser has never stung. Before continuing to use my retinol moisturizer, I did a quick Google search and realized that the combination of benzoyl peroxide and retinol can actually cancel each other out, rendering them ineffective.
Solution:
I still use my Differin for a deep clean, and especially in the luteal phase of my cycle when acne tends to crop up on my face. I never use this cleanser in tandem with retinol, and I also avoid using it the morning after I’ve applied the retinol moisturizer. On the regular, I’ve been opting for a more gentle daily cleanser. I love the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser for a soft yet effective clean. It smells lovely, too!
Not taking off my makeup before bed
I hope this one is obvious, but if it’s not, PLEASE, please, please remove your makeup before bed!
I used to sleep with my makeup on “to make it last longer.” While yes, that totally makes sense if you finally got your cat eye perfect and want to stretch it to the next day, but the detrimental effects leftover makeup have on your skin are not worth it. Sleeping with makeup on basically lets your makeup “marinate” on your skin overnight, as I would put it. Your skin can’t breathe overnight, which prevents cell regeneration and recovery. This leads to clogged pores, which then lead to more acne. Also, if you have sensitive skin like me, you probably don’t want to leave makeup on for longer than necessary because it can trigger a reaction like redness or even contact dermatitis.
I’m prone to styes if I don’t fully remove my eye makeup, and those are just an eyesore – literally. (See what I did there? I thought it was clever…). They’re painful and unsightly, so it’s best to avoid them by cleansing the eye area properly before lying down for eight hours. Additionally, did you know sleeping in your makeup can accelerate aging and cause collagen breakdown, which leads to more fine lines?
‘Nuff said. Take that makeup OFF before you hit the pillow!
Solution:
My top recommendation is to implement a double cleanse, at least on days where you’ve been wearing makeup. First, you use a cleansing oil or balm to break down the makeup on your face. Then, you can actually cleanse and remove the built up oils and dirt with a cleanser – I usually opt for a gel formula. It helps to use a milder cleanser, especially for removing eye makeup to avoid any burning or irritation.
However, and this might be controversial in the skincare community: makeup wipes are better than nothing! Hell, anything is better than nothing. Some products I use in a pinch when I’m too tired for a full double cleanse:
- Micellar or cleansing water
- Makeup Eraser
- Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Gentle Eye Makeup Remover with a water cleanse afterwards
- Makeup wipes! (These are the only ones that don’t sting my eyes)
My favorite cleansing balm
I save and buy the mini size, I don’t wear a lot of makeup and you don’t need a lot!
Not changing my pillowcases
Fun fact about me: I’m kind of a germaphobe. Only kind of – I’ll still use the five second rule and eat stuff off of the floor, but I’m always wiping my phone down and keeping hand sanitizer handy (ha). I may only wash my bedsheets twice a month – okay, sometimes it’s only once a month – but I change my pillowcase twice a week. Why?
Your pillowcase can hold residual sebum, sweat, and any leftover skincare or makeup that was on your face when you went to sleep. It also can retain any natural oils or excess product from your hair, which can also cause breakouts and skin irritation.
Solution:
I was researching how to battle my frizzy mane a few years ago and started using satin pillowcases. I find that they’re just as good for my skin as my hair! They come in lots of different colors and are very affordable from Amazon! I have purchased three different sets of two pillowcases and I just rotate through the six of them. I’ve linked them below. You could also make your own satin pillowcase!
My Favorite Pillowcases
Not taking SPF seriously
Maybe it’s just me reverting to my child self who hated when my mom would slather me with sunscreen, but adult Gabi now knows the importance of wearing SPF every day. Not only is sunblock crucial for preventing skin cancer, but it’s also paramount if you’re aiming to keep wrinkles at bay. I’m still working on consistently wearing sunscreen every day – and remembering to reapply! It helps to add it into your skincare or makeup routine. Adding one more step isn’t so bad, right?
Sunscreen doesn’t have to uncomfortable. There’s so many formulations and types nowadays! You can opt for a mineral sunscreen or a chemical one, and you can find them in creams, sprays, sticks, and more. Many complexion makeup products come with SPF already included, like this primer or this tinted moisturizer. Note that you should still apply sun protectant on its own and not rely solely on a makeup product with built-in SPF.
Solution:
Start wearing SPF daily, or when you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time at the very least. Remember that sunscreen covers more than just wrinkles – skin cancer runs on both sides of my family, and I do take that very seriously. I personally look for SPF 30+ at minimum, preferably SPF 50+ if it’s available.
For daily wear, I use the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. It’s SPF 40 and has a clear, silicone-feeling consistency that goes on like a blurring primer. I also like Supergoop!’s Glow Screen for days where I want a more luminous, dewy look.
If you’d rather use a mineral sunscreen, Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a great option. While it is touted to be ultra-sheer, it does leave a bit of a white cast, but if you work it into your skin well enough, it’s hardly noticeable. I do have extremely fair skin, so I cannot comment on how harsh the white cast is on darker complexions. Please leave a comment if you’ve tried this product and let me know what you think!
Using pore strips
This may be more of a personal opinion, but I’m going to advise you on it nonetheless. I have sensitive, dry skin, so abrasive products usually don’t have a great effect! I do have some blackheads on the bridge of my nose – likely from glasses-wearing, although I do wipe mine down fairly often. Enter pore strips. Sounds great, right? And aren’t they so satisfying?
Well, if you have sensitive skin, I would rule these out altogether. They’re literally stripping your skin to remove the blackheads. I decided not to use them anymore after I ripped a layer of skin off of my nose just last month. I promise I followed the instructions and used gentle pressure to remove the strip, and I didn’t feel any tearing or pain when I did so. It was only in the following days that I noticed a large red patch on my nose where my skin was damaged.
Solution:
I find that using a cleanser with salicylic acid helps far more than pore strips when it comes to clogged pores and blackheads. I like this cleanser, or you can try a salicylic acid gel treatment. This one was a bit too strong for my skin, but I think it would be awesome for those with more normal-oily skin! I’m planning to try out the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (pictured above), as I love lots of this brand’s products.
Picking my face
While it may come as a shock, popping pimples and picking at dry patches are not the way to clearer skin. Picking at your skin can only lead to scarring, redness, and infection, since you’re essentially taking an irritated part of your face and making it an open wound.
I know, it’s tempting! You have to resist because it’s actually counterproductive to achieving healthy skin. Take a deep breath, put away your magnifying mirror, and avoid obsessing over problem areas on your face if you can.
Solution:
Time heals all – well, most – wounds! Distract yourself from picking by doing something else with your hands, like playing a game, journaling, or cooking. The best thing you can do is to leave it alone and let your skin process the zit on its own. You can help your skin by drinking plenty of water and not overdoing it on harsh treatments.
Introducing too many new products at once
Just like anything else in life, skincare is best used in moderation. I have definitely been guilty of using way too many new products and techniques at once. When I first started crafting my skincare routine years ago, I was excited by all of the new products, exploring brands and different skincare philosophies. That’s all well and fine, however, it may not bode well for your skin! Ironic, isn’t it? Your skin can get overwhelmed by too many new elements at once and react poorly.
Think of it like an elimination diet, if you’re familiar with it. Once you finish eliminating the foods you’re testing from your diet, you are supposed to reintroduce them one at a time so you can pinpoint which food may be causing issues. So if you introduce a bunch of products at once to your face, how are you meant to see the effects of each product? You won’t, because you will not be able to identify what effect is attributed to which product. That, along with probable irritation, is why you should start simple and bring new products into your routine one at time.
Solution:
If you are just starting to create a routine for your skin, start with the basics and tailor it to your skin type. You’re looking at a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a daily SPF at minimum. Once you choose one of each, I would recommend using only those products for the next month. Re-evaluate your routine after the month is up – have you seen improvements? Has any irritation occurred? If you’re all in the clear, you can go ahead and try any serum or treatment you like: just make sure you go slow and try one at a time, with that buffer of a few weeks or months (depending on the type of product and your skin sensitivity) to monitor your skin.
Hopefully these seven tips help you out whether you’re just starting to implement a skincare routine or you’ve been in the skincare game for a while. Let me know if you have any other skincare mistakes you may have made before, and what you did to fix them!
See you next time, and make sure you follow my social media accounts for other tips, reviews, and more personal things.
