5 Skincare Mistakes You Might Be Making

Skincare seems pretty straightforward to most people. How many of us know the three steps of cleanse-tone-moisturize by heart? Turns out there are a lot of skincare blunders many people make.

Here are some of the most common, and what you should do instead:

Not Double Cleansing

Have you ever been so exhausted at the end of the day that you just collapse in bed and go to sleep without removing your makeup? It happens to the best of us, but making this a habit is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Dust, oil, and makeup residue accumulate on the surface of our skin throughout the day, and if left on overnight, could promote bacteria growth, clog our pores, and cause massive breakouts or irritation. Fortunately, Well Within Beauty offers a solution in one of its best organic beauty products.

Their natural makeup remover makes taking off your makeup at the end of the day a breeze, with its luxurious plant-based formula full of nourishing oils and botanicals. Even if you don’t wear makeup, it’s still important to double cleanse at the end of the day, as a regular facial cleanser may not be enough to remove your sunscreen and the excess oils and dirt on the surface of your skin. Make it a habit to double cleanse at the end of every day, and your skin will become clearer and less prone to irritation over time.

Over cleansing

While it’s important to double cleanse at the end of the day, some people take cleansing too far and wash their faces more than twice a day with overly harsh cleansers. This is a common mistake among those who suffer from acne-prone skin, Or excessively oily skin.

Contrary to popular belief, washing your face more often won’t help prevent breakouts, nor will it stop your skin from overproducing oil. In fact, washing your face too often can damage your natural skin barrier, leaving it weak and prone to breakouts. It can also strip your skin dry, forcing it to produce even more oil to make up for the loss of moisture.

If you struggle with common skin problems like acne and excessive oiliness, fight the urge to overwash your face. Instead, limit cleansing to a maximum of twice a day, and be sure to use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser.

Skipping Moisturizer Because You Have Oily Skin

Many people who have oily skin think they can get away with skipping moisturizer. The truth is that excessive oiliness may be a sign that your skin is actually dehydrated, and is overproducing oil because it desperately lacks moisture.

Putting on moisturizer can actually help restore balance to your skin and control its oil production. The key is to choose a lightweight, water-based or gel-type moisturizer to avoid feeling like a grease ball.

Skipping Sunscreen During Winter

The sun’s powerful rays are extremely penetrative and can cut through clouds and glass, causing all sorts of skin problems like dark spots, wrinkles, sunburn, and even skin cancer. This is why it’s so important to apply sunscreen every day, even during winter or on overcast days. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to get enough protection for your skin.

Being Too Aggressive

When you are struggling with breakouts, it can be tempting to try and scrub those unsightly blemishes away, or to put on the strongest, most potent acne medications you can get your hands on. Doing this will only end up inflaming and irritating your skin even more.

Be gentle. Breakouts and irritations are signs of a weakened and damaged skin barrier, so treat your skin like you would an open wound—with utmost care and a light touch. Switch to a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser, a lightweight moisturizer with minimal ingredients, and target spots and blemishes in moderation.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid have been proven to be highly effective against breakouts, but they are both very potent and can cause irritation if you go overboard. Use only one of them at a time, sparingly, and only to spot treat your blemishes instead of slathering them on over your whole face. Gently treat your skin with patience and consistency, and you will soon notice a huge improvement in your complexion.

Are you guilty of committing any or all of these common skincare mistakes? It’s never too late to stop these bad habits and to form new, better ones. Our skin is surprisingly resilient and can bounce back given the proper care and treatment.