Skincare

6 Biggest Skincare Mistakes to Avoid Making

April 29, 2020
Black woman applying cream to legs

It’s safe to say that everyone wants beautiful, healthy skin, however, there are skincare mistakes you can make that will keep you from achieving the results you desire.

I know I’m guilty of some of the skincare mistakes in this post, but the good news is they can easily be fixed!

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Skincare Mistakes to Avoid

Not Wearing Sunscreen

I didn’t wear sunscreen for years because I was under the impression that it wasn’t a necessity unless I was going outside for a long period.

Sunscreen is the most important step in your morning routine. No matter how long you’re exposed to the sun, your skin is always at risk if it’s not protected.

Many issues such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkles can be reduced by wearing sunscreen regularly, and those are concerns we all want to avoid.

My favorite sunscreen is Black Girl Sunscreen. I love that it doesn’t leave a white cast and absorbs easily. It also has all-natural ingredients which is another plus!

Over-Exfoliating

Exfoliating regularly is important and has many benefits, however, you want to make sure you’re not overdoing it and causing more harm to your skin.

Over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier which serves as protection for your skin.

Here are signs you may notice if you over-exfoliate:

  • Excessive dryness
  • Irritation and redness
  • Hypersensitive skin
  • Small red bumps

You should exfoliate no more than 2-3 times per week. However, keep in mind that this will vary depending on your skin type and what it can tolerate.

Related Post: The 6 Very Best Scrubs for Sensitive Skin

Using Too Many Products

You always hear people say “the more, the better”, but that’s not necessarily true when it comes to skincare.

Everyone wants to get rid of as many concerns as they can at once. If a product says it can help with the things you’re struggling with, why not add it to your routine?

That’s what my mindset used to be until I experienced a setback.

Although I started paying attention to the ingredients in my products, I was still switching up my routine every day. Eventually, I started to notice more dark spots and had a breakout.

That’s when I realized it wasn’t the type of products I was using, it was how many.

Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated and there’s no need to use different products whenever you wash your face. Find what works and stick to using those consistently.

Using the Wrong Cleanser

It took me forever to find the perfect cleanser for my face. This is one step in my routine that I don’t change frequently because looking for an effective cleanser is difficult.

A lot of people make this skincare mistake because they aren’t using the best cleanser for their skin type.

For example, people with oily skin may use harsh cleansers with sulfates because they’re trying to get rid of the excess oil. However, sulfates can strip the skin of moisture which leads to the production of more oil.

When it comes to choosing the right cleanser, you want to take the ingredients and your skin type into consideration.

One of my favorites is the Whipped Cleansing Cream from Skin & Co. I recommend this if you have dry, sensitive skin since it’s gentle and provides long-lasting moisture.

Related Post: The Best 6 Face Cleansers for Sensitive Skin

Popping Pimples

I’ve always been guilty of picking my skin and popping pimples, and it caused a lot of issues over time.

Popping a pimple can lead to more breakouts and it’ll also leave dark spots behind which are hard to get rid of.

It took me a long time to get rid of the hyperpigmentation that came from messing with acne. When you notice a pimple, don’t touch it!

Related Post: 5 of the Best Clean Beauty Products for Dark Spots

Sleeping With Makeup On

Sometimes you may not have the energy to remove your makeup after a long day. However, this is another mistake that could be causing a setback in your routine.

I recommend double cleansing to get rid of all traces of makeup and dirt.

When you double cleanse, you want to use an oil cleanser or balm first, and then follow up with a water-based cleanser.

I also recommend using these Makeup Remover Towels from QVC. You want to dampen the towel and wipe off your makeup before using a cleanser.

Ever since I started using these, I haven’t had an issue with anything being left behind on my skin.


Keep these skincare mistakes in mind and avoid making them in your routine.

It’s possible to achieve healthy, clear skin with consistency. Don’t let your skincare routine become a hassle!

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8 Comments

  • Reply Ana starr April 30, 2020 at 11:14 am

    Great post! Great info. I was exfoliating too much. So definitely gonna do it less than 3 a week. Thank you!

    • Reply Madisen April 30, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      Thank you for reading! Yes try doing it less and see how your skin reacts!

  • Reply Shana April 30, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    I was a culprit of sleeping with makeup on. I use the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm now. That was really a lot of trouble with my skin.

    • Reply Madisen April 30, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      Girl, I feel you! The struggle can be real and I’ve done it before too. I’ve always wanted to try that Cleansing Balm! I’ll have to check it out.

  • Reply Reeham April 30, 2020 at 2:43 pm

    Thank you for
    This!!! Have been working on my skin lately as I have some acne marks and couldn’t agree more with these tips!!

    • Reply Madisen April 30, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you so much for reading love!

  • Reply Charlie May 1, 2020 at 9:40 am

    Thank you for sharing this info! I need to get better with my skincare.

    • Reply Madisen May 2, 2020 at 1:24 am

      No problem love! It took me a long time to stay consistent with skincare but I promise it’s worth it!

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