Anyone who uses a skin care regimen is aware that there isn't a single product that can take care of all their needs. Maintaining healthy skin demands effort. With regards to washing, cleansing, moisturising, anti-aging, and UV protection, there is a lot to learn, particularly if you are a beginner in skincare.
You can be making certain skin care blunders unknowingly if your current routine isn't producing the desired results and your skin problems continue.
But before we dive in, know that there are two hard truths that we cannot deny.
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Every day, your skin loses water. This is normal and unavoidable.
- As you get older, your body’s internal processes — from skin cell turnover to workout recovery — slow down and take longer to complete or recharge.
This leaves room for signs of aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, to occur
Mistakes are easy to make if you don’t know what you could be doing wrong!
In this blog, we will help you identify some common skincare mistakes you could be doing and how to avoid them.
1. Exfoliating too often
Chemical and physical exfoliators are the two basic categories of exfoliants. There are various points of view on which type is better, but experts can agree that over- or under-exfoliating is a common skincare mistake.
Daily exfoliation may irritate your skin, but gentle exfoliants can assist accelerate cell turnover to bring fresh cells to the surface. If you are new to trying exfoliation, exfoliate once a week at first, and then more frequently as your skin adapts. Once a week, exfoliate the entire body, concentrating on damaged areas with rough textures, such as knees and elbows
We recommend exfoliating three times a week, with one of these power-house blends!
For oily or acne-prone skin:
Bright Skin - Face Polish Powder - full of those delicious AHA we mentioned! This SUPER-fine polishing powder applies as a mask and then gently scrubs away impurities to resurface your face and leave your skin feeling clean & brand new. Combining natural clays and oat extract work to draw out clogged pores and balance oil production.
For sensitive, dry or mature skin
UnMask - Detoxifying Superfood Mask - This mask combines a blend of potent, organic, raw superfoods with Australian Kaolin and Bentonite clay. It draws impurities out of the skin, replacing them with a unique blend of nourishing, skin-enhancing raw nutrients. When removed, it gently exfoliates and resurfaces the skin to decrease the visibility of age spots and provide a more even complexion.
2. Ignoring signs of dehydration
Experts agree that one of the biggest skincare mistakes you can make is waiting too long after cleansing to apply a hydrator. Whether it's your face or body, you have just a short window after cleansing to put on a hydrating product before moisture starts to evaporate. If you let your skin dry completely, the water on your skin plus any moisture in your skin will start to get pulled into the air.
Yes, your skin will lose water, but if you lose too much, you risk dehydrating your skin and developing a host of other issues.
Skin that lacks moisture is referred to as dehydrated skin, and it develops when water is lost from the stratum corneum, the skin's top protective layer.
It is more of a skin disorder than a specific skin type.
Dehydration is frequently indicated by tight, flaking skin. Before applying moisturizer both morning and night, use a hydrator to replenish parched skin's water content.
In the moments where you wish you could replenish your skin’s moisture in the middle of the day but don’t want to disrupt your makeup, grab a facial spray for a quick midday pick-me-up. Our favourite is Cushion Hydro Essences, rich in antioxidants, potent Vitamin C, and essential fatty acids for the ultimate hydration dose.
Not so fun fact: Even oily and combination skin can be dehydrated, so please don’t neglect this important step in your routine, just because your skin is oily.
3. Applying skincare in the wrong order
Believe it or not, the order that you apply your skin care products is quite important. Your skincare routine's effectiveness may be reduced if you perform it out of order.
While there is no one-size-fits-all method for applying skincare, it is generally recommended to utilise the morning routine to protect the skin with SPF and vitamin C and the evening routine to repair and reverse the damage with active ingredients like retinol and coenzyme Q10.
As a general rule, products should be applied in the order of their molecular size, from thinnest to thickest. For example, lighter formulas like oils and serums should be applied first, followed by heavier formulas like moisturisers and masks.
4. Not removing makeup before bed
Sleeping with your makeup on is a big no-no. But we get it, life is busy and sometimes we just want to hit our head on the pillow and forget to take our makeup off. Unfortunately, this can cause breakouts, irritation and premature aging. This can lead to clogged pores, blackheads and blemishes and will also prevent any serums, treatments or moisturizers from absorbing properly.
So make sure to always remove your makeup before going to bed. Use a gentle cleanser and take the time to massage it into your skin. Then gently wipe away with a lukewarm face cloth and pat your face dry.
5. Using the wrong products for your skin type
The first step to a good skincare routine is identifying your skin type. This will help you to know which products and ingredients are best for your skin. There are four main skin types: normal, oily, dry, and combination.
Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it functions as a barrier against all sorts of environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays. It's important to take care of our skin so that it can stay healthy and look its best. A good skincare routine will help to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant.
If you have normal skin, it means that your skin is evenly balanced and not too oily or dry. You don't have many breakouts or sensitivities and your pores are small.
If you have oily skin, it means that your sebaceous glands produce more sebum than other skin types. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Oily skin also has a shiny appearance.
If you have dry skin, it means that your sebaceous glands produce less sebum than other skin types. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and sensitivities. Dry skin also has a dull appearance.
Find out your skin type using Goodieco’s skin test quiz here.
6. Using toxic ingredients in your skincare
When it comes to skincare, it's important to choose quality over quantity. It's better to invest in a few good quality products than to buy a bunch of cheap ones that will only end up irritating your skin. Look for organic, natural ingredients - just because they are natural, does not make them less active and efficient! - and avoid alcohol content or any synthetic additives.
Numerous harmful substances find their way into our products on a daily basis. Many of these can have an impact on your general health, including altering hormones, raising your risk of developing certain malignancies, irritating your skin, bringing on allergic reactions, and more.
Before buying any skincare product, make sure to do your research first. Read reviews, watch videos and ask around for recommendations. This will help you find the best products for your skin type and needs.
7. Skipping out on sunscreen
Without addressing sun protection, we couldn't compile a list of skin mistakes. Without you realising it, you are exposed to the sun every day while driving, sitting by a window, or walking the dog. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen to all exposed skin areas each day.
Direct sun exposure can damage your skin and cause premature aging. So be sure to always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. And if you'll be spending time in the sun, make sure to wear protective clothing, like a hat or sunglasses.
Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine, but it is often forgotten about. It's important to wear sunscreen every day, even if you're not spending time in the sun. Sunscreen will help to protect your skin from harmful UV rays which can cause premature aging and wrinkles. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it every morning.
8. Not using a serum before the moisturiser
A face serum is a fantastic, targeted product to use after cleansing and before moisturising because it is made to moisturise, nourish, and protect your skin.
A serum is applied initially, following skin cleansing, because it is lightweight and immediately distributes active substances to the skin.
Serums contain active ingredients that target specific concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, etc. There are a variety of serums available, so choose one that is suitable for your skin type and concern. You can also use a treatment product like a face mask or an exfoliating treatment once or twice a week.
9. Skipping steps
Don't skip any steps in your skincare routine as each step is important for achieving healthy, glowing skin.
Just remember to start slow and be consistent with your routine. Creating a skincare routine that works for you takes time and experimentation, but it'll be worth it in the end!
Making our skincare routine a top priority and sticking to it every day is crucial for maintaining healthy, bright skin.
In certain cases, less really is more! Your skin will reward you even if you just keep to the essentials like cleansing, moisturising, and sunscreen.
10. Underestimating the strength of retinol
Regular use of retinol can help to shrink sebaceous glands and reduce oiliness. But take note: When you’re a newbie to retinoids, they can dry the skin’s surface and induce peeling. We recommend opting for a natural alternative. Bakuchiol is just as effective and active as retinol, but without the nasty side effects. Add Bounce, our 1% bakuchiol formula combined with potent Vitamin C.
In conclusion
Skincare is very important to do regularly as our skin is always exposed to dirt and bacteria, the damage of UV rays, not to mention the perils of the human world, like air conditioning, make-up and pollution.
Start avoiding these steps and you'll see a difference in your skin in no time. Don't forget to consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns about your skin. They will be able to recommend the best products and treatments for you. Happy cleansing!
