These Skincare Mistakes Are Stealing Your Glow

The internet is so oversaturated with skincare advice that it’s never been easier to make skincare mistakes. One TikTok creator may tell you to moisturise with beef tallow, while another may encourage over-frequent exfoliation. Add in the fact that everyone’s skin is different and has unique needs, and you have lots of complexion accidents waiting to happen.

It takes time to home in on a routine that your skin likes, but, generally speaking, dermatologists say the simpler, the better. And taking care of your skin’s barrier – its outermost protective layer – is key to keeping it happy. The majority of skincare faux pas arise when you (sometimes unknowingly) irritate that barrier, and then deal with the subsequent chore of nurturing it back to a healthy state.

“Things like over-exfoliating or not removing make-up could cause a few pimples or a compromised barrier where you have redness and inflammation,” says Dr Mona Gohara, a dermatologist. “The consequences run the gamut, from wrinkles and hyperpigmentation to skin cancer if you skip sun protection.”

Here are the skincare mistakes that dermatologists want you to stop making – plus expert advice for correcting them.

1. Over-exfoliating

Sloughing off dead skin cells is a good thing – in moderation. The key is to know how often to exfoliate your face. “Going overboard with facial scrubs as well as chemical exfoliators can strip the skin’s protective barrier, leading to redness, breakouts, sensitivity and even microtears in the outermost layer of the skin,” says Dr Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist. “Barrier disruption can cause premature ageing, inflammation and increased risk of hyperpigmentation. It can also exacerbate skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.” To ensure your complexion stays healthy, dermatologists say to gently exfoliate no more than three times a week.

2. Not removing makeup before bed

Even when you’re tired, skipping the night-time cleanse is never worth it. “Make-up, dirt, sweat and oil left on the skin leave a film over your face that can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts, irritation and dullness,” says Dr Gohara. You’re also missing the opportunity to cleanse and nourish a clean slate with moisturising and wrinkle-preventing serums and creams.

3. Only wearing SPF in the summer

It bears repeating: sun exposure is the leading cause of premature ageing, dark spots and skin cancer. And you don’t need to be basking on a beach to be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. They aren’t blocked by clouds, and UVA rays pass through glass, so yes, they can reach your skin during autumn and winter. “Using a daily moisturiser with broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF 30 or higher is the best anti-ageing and health advice I can give you,” says Dr Gohara.

4. Ghosting your neck and chest

The skin on your neck is thinner and has fewer oil glands than your face, so it tends to be drier and more delicate. And yet, most of us overlook the neck and chest completely – until we start to notice brown spots, neck wrinkles or crepey skin, that is. “People will use anti-ageing products and sunscreen on their face, but neglect to apply them from the jawline down, which results in a noticeable difference in how the skin looks,” says Dr Janiene Luke, a dermatologist. Her bottom line: treat your neck and chest like your face.

5. Layering too many active ingredients

When it comes to skincare, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. How many times have you used a glycolic acid peel pad followed by a retinol product and a vitamin C serum, only to wake up with a red, irritated face? While each of these ingredients has its benefits, bombarding your skin with too much at once is a recipe for inflammation and an angry skin barrier.

“Combining strong actives, like retinol and chemical exfoliators, can overwhelm skin and lead to irritation or even chemical burns,” says Dr Garshick. “Over time, this may weaken the barrier and cause chronic inflammation and prolonged sensitivity, and could also precipitate conditions like rosacea.” Instead of piling them on, use just one active ingredient per night (following the thrice-weekly exfoliation rule) and see how your skin reacts.

6. Not moisturizing enough

Do you get out of the shower and skip body lotion? Or not bother moisturising your face if it leans greasy? It might seem counterintuitive, but “even oily skin needs hydration, and without it, your skin may overcompensate with oil production or become super sensitive because the protective barrier is compromised,” says Dr Garshick. “This invites irritation and inflammation, and it’s a major cause of ageing and dull skin.” Moisturising head to toe with hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid or glycerin) and emollient ones (like squalane or ceramides) is a must. It doesn’t have to be rich or greasy – a lotion for dry skin works just fine, but you have to put it on.

7. Popping pimples and picking your skin

Popping a zit may be satisfying for a second, but it also causes trauma and inflammation, which can actually drive bacteria deeper into the skin. “It can also lead to discolouration and scarring, especially in darker skin types that tend to have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” says Dr Luke. Because picking and popping can be hard habits to break, a genius hack is to put a pimple patch on the blemish as a spot treatment to both heal the wound and prevent you from touching the area.

8. Following TikTok trends

SkinTok fads can be fun to experiment with, but they should all be taken with a grain of salt. If someone promises you extreme overnight results, tread lightly. “What goes viral isn’t always safe, and a lot of these trends can be harmful and irritating,” says Dr Gohara. “No one should be taking heart health advice from a non-MD on social media, and the same should go for your skin. Social media isn’t skincare science, so if the trend sounds weird or extreme, it probably is.”

9. Not adjusting skincare products as you age

“The skincare that worked for you in your 20s or 30s may not work in your 40s,” says Dr Garshick. “As we age, our skincare needs to evolve, and using the wrong products can lead to dryness, breakouts, irritation, or missed opportunities to support your skin effectively with ingredients like antioxidants, retinol or peptides that help fight free radicals, reverse environmental damage and boost collagen production over time.” A dermatologist can help you determine what ingredients are best for your skin at this time of your life.

10. Underapplying SPF on deep skin

“Research shows that darker skin is still susceptible to damage from the sun’s harmful rays,” says Dr Luke. “This is especially true for those who have issues with dark spots or melasma (a form of hyperpigmentation), since UV exposure exacerbates those conditions.” Some sunscreen formulas may leave a white cast behind on deeper skin tones – but the development of melanin-friendly formulas continues to grow, and there are plenty that melt into the skin invisibly.

11. Too many late nights

Like many things, keeping your skin healthy starts from within, with nutrition (like eating foods that help your skin) and getting enough sleep. “Everything’s connected, and skin reflects your health like a mirror,” says Dr Gohara. Your skin needs adequate rest to repair itself overnight, build collagen and fix environmental damage. It’s not called ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing.

Signs of drinking excess alcohol can also show up on your face. “Even moderate alcohol intake can negatively affect your skin. For example, a couple of Cosmos can trigger glycation, a process that binds sugar molecules to collagen and elastin and degrades them, which can age your skin,” says Dr Gohara. So, opt for a mocktail on most nights and hit the sack early – for you and your skin’s sake.