6 Skincare Mistakes To Avoid

This post is all about 6 Skincare Mistakes to Avoid

Written by: Ashleigh Torres

Updated: October 2024

It may be tempting to Google search DIY skin hacks, but you could be doing more harm than good. These are some skincare sins professionals often see happening that you should probably stop doing, like yesterday!

Using toothpaste as a spot treatment

Toothpaste can make your skin even more red, irritated, and more noticeable. A lot of toothpastes contain ingredients that can damage your skin since toothpastes have a lot of ingredients for whitening and tartar-reducing. Instead use a spot treatment with ingredients that are meant for the skin. For example; products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, mandelic acid and glycolic acid are good for breaking down dead skin cells and assisting to clear up your acne faster.

Using makeup wipes

Makeup wipes are not an effective way to remove makeup, sweat, or dirt and oil. Most makeup wipes contain harsh ingredients and can disrupt the pH balance and strip your skin. Double cleansing is more effective and allows for your second cleanse to do its job. Use an oil based cleanser or gel cleanser to breakup all the dirt and makeup on your skin, then go in with a more targeted cleanser for whatever your skin concerns are.

Doing DIY skincare at home

Not all are horrible, but some of the DIY masks can be stripping and pore clogging which completely defeats the purpose. When it comes to your skin, just don’t take any risks. Drop a comment at the bottom of this page with your skin concerns and skin type, and I can recommend some of my favorites!

Using at home derma rollers

These handheld devices are a lot cheaper than visiting a pro, but are they as effective or safe? While you might notice some difference, the results aren’t comparable to a professional treatment. Plus, you run the risk of infection. And if you aren’t careful, it “could potentially cause permanent scarring and darkening of the skin,” says Dr. Saya Obayan, board-certified clinical dermatologist from Skin Joy Dermatology.

Not wearing sunscreen

If you spend a lot of time outside, driving or going on vacation, you are aging your skin significantly faster! 80% of visible signs of aging are caused from the sun. Make sure you are applying sunscreen every two hours if you’re outside or exposed to sun light for more than 15 minutes a day. So in conclusion, wear sunscreen every day. Unless you are in a closed off box with no windows or sunlight coming in, you are being exposed to harmful UV Rays.

Sleeping with makeup on

Last but not least, do not skip your night time routine! Our skin is up against so much every single day, accumulating a lot of oxidative stress. Sleeping with makeup on or not washing your face before bed doesn’t give your skin a chance to recover, this can lead to premature aging. Every day we are exposed to free radicals (mainly pollution), and if those free radicals remain on the skin, it can cause collagen to breakdown over time.

If you want to achieve healthy skin, drop these bad habits and your skin will thrive!