It’s a common human trait to truly value something only after it’s gone. The same goes for your skin health. Acne and breakouts often make you long for the days when your skin was at its best.
Speaking from personal experience, I didn’t take skincare seriously until I noticed my skin was aging. Subtle changes made me realize it was time to take action.
One of the first steps I took was to ditch the bad skincare habits that had been silently ruining my skin.
Even with a flawless skincare routine and access to top-tier products, you might still be practicing habits that are secretly harming your skin.
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You may be wondering if your current skincare efforts are actually helping or unintentionally hurting your skin. The truth is, even when you think you’re doing everything right, small, seemingly insignificant mistakes can slip under the radar—and they can have a big impact.
Need an example?
Did you know your phone screen carries more germs than a toilet seat? Now think about how many germs you transfer to your skin every time you talk on the phone.
There are several such habits that may be quietly sabotaging your skin’s health. Here’s a list of common skincare mistakes you need to stop right now to help your skin look glowing, healthy, and supple:
1. Skipping SPF
Many people believe it’s unnecessary to wear sunscreen during winter or on cloudy, rainy days. Some even skip it entirely or apply too little. If you fall into either of these categories, it’s time to break this habit.
When your skin is exposed to UV rays, it becomes vulnerable to premature aging—leading to wrinkles and fine lines earlier than expected. Why take that risk when sunscreen can easily protect you?
Make sure to use at least SPF 30 on regular days, and SPF 50 when you’re at the beach. Sunscreen is a skincare essential—and skipping it is a major mistake.
I personally use Supergoop SPF 40 regularly, and Murad SPF 50 on beach days.
2. Not Wiping Down Your Phone Screen
As mentioned earlier, phone screens carry more bacteria than a toilet seat. You definitely don’t want those germs transferring to your face and causing breakouts.
Make it a habit to clean your phone screen daily with an alcohol-based antibacterial solution or wipes. I use Premoistened Lens and Glass Cleaning Wipes, and they’ve worked wonders for me.
3. Not Washing Your Makeup Brushes and Beauty Blenders
For the longest time, I didn’t bother cleaning my makeup brushes and beauty blenders. I’d just toss them into an airtight pouch and assume they were good to go.
Big mistake—lesson learned!
Makeup tools attract as much dirt and bacteria as your phone screen. Using dirty brushes can clog pores and trigger skin irritation or acne.
Make it a habit to clean your brushes at least twice a month. I recommend EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo and a brush scrubber. Lately, I’ve been using an electric makeup brush cleaner, and it’s surprisingly effective—perfect for those lazy days.
4. Neglecting Your Lips and Neck
One of the most common skincare mistakes is ignoring your neck and lips. Your neck is just as prone to aging as your face, and it deserves the same attention in your cleansing and moisturizing routine.
Likewise, your lips are exposed to the sun too. Protect them by using a high-quality, SPF-infused lip balm that hydrates and shields against UV damage.
5. Over-Exfoliation
Back in my teenage years, I saw so many women over-exfoliating in the hope of fixing their skin issues. Sadly, many of them didn’t realize they were doing more harm than good.
Over-exfoliating—whether with harsh scrubs or chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs—can compromise your skin barrier. This leads to redness, irritation, and increased sensitivity.
Your skin only needs to be exfoliated once or twice a week to effectively remove dirt and dead skin cells. More than that, and you’re heading for trouble.
6. Sleeping on a Dirty Pillowcase
Your pillowcase can harbor a shocking amount of dirt and bacteria, especially if it’s cotton. These impurities can easily transfer to your face while you sleep, causing breakouts and dull skin.
Make it a habit to change and wash your pillowcase every other day. I now use satin pillowcases, which are not only gentler on the skin but also attract less dirt than cotton ones.
7. Washing Your Face Too Often
I used to think that washing my face multiple times a day would keep it squeaky clean. Thankfully, I ditched that habit in my late teens as I learned more about skincare.
Over-washing strips your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, flakiness, and even increased oil production as your skin tries to compensate.
Stick to washing your face twice a day—once in the morning and once during your nighttime routine.
Remember, skincare goes far beyond simply applying a bunch of products to your face. No moisturizer can truly hydrate your skin if you’re not drinking enough water. No vitamin C serum can fully replace the nutrients you get from eating fresh citrus fruits. And even the most perfect nighttime routine can’t make up for the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
So, even if you’re doing all the right things to keep your skin radiant and healthy, make sure you’re not unknowingly making the skincare mistakes mentioned above.
Wishing you a glowing day ahead!