You’ve done the research. You double-cleanse. You can pronounce niacinamide. Your bathroom shelf looks like a pharmacy aisle. At this point, you’d think your skin would be glowing, and you should be getting compliments on having glass skin.
And yet… your skin still acts up. Breakouts. Flakiness. Random dullness. It’s not always the products that fail you; sometimes it’s the way you’re using them.
Because in skincare, more products aren’t always better. In fact, sometimes more is the problem. Here are the most common mistakes you probably don’t even realise you’re making, and how to fix them before your skin files an HR complaint.
Protecting your face… but forgetting your neck, ears, and hands
SPF is not a face-only activity. UV rays don’t politely stop at your jawline. Your neck, ears, and even the backs of your hands are just as vulnerable to sun damage. Skipping them means your face might look 25 while your neck is giving 45.
Dermatologists often call the hands and neck “the forgotten zones.” They wrinkle, spot, and sag faster if left unprotected. When applying sunscreen, think face, ears, neck, and hands. Basically: anything the sun can see.
Also, if you’re still saying “but it’s cloudy,” and not applying sunscreen, you obviously don’t want clear skin. Daily SPF is the bare minimum, not an optional extra.
Over-exfoliating like your skin wronged you
Scrub Monday, peel Wednesday, “gentle” acid Friday. Babe… your barrier is crying. Flakiness, redness, tightness? That’s not “glow,” that’s help me.
The truth is, exfoliating too often strips away your skin’s barrier, the very thing that keeps your skin calm and hydrated. The glow you’re chasing won’t come from punishing your skin.
Also, that grainy sugar scrub? Please retire it. Physical scrubs cause micro-tears. Your face isn’t a dirty dish.
Stick to 1-2 times per week, max. If you’re using chemical exfoliants (like AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids), balance them with hydrating products and sunscreen.
Treating wipes like a cleansing routine
If you “take off” your makeup with wipes and go straight to bed, I’m calling the skincare police. Wipes are like brushing your teeth with a lollipop. Cute effort, zero results.
Makeup wipes do not cleanse. At best, they smear makeup and dirt around. At worst, they leave behind residue that clogs pores. Real cleansing = a proper face wash (ideally double-cleansing if you wear makeup or SPF). Save the wipes for travel emergencies or consider a makeup removal balm.
Skipping the wait time
Serum, moisturiser, SPF, all applied in under 30 seconds? Congrats, you just wasted half your products.. Give products a minute to actually absorb.
Layering your routine too quickly is like pouring water on wet paint. Most serums and treatments need at least a minute to absorb before you move on. Skipping wait time just means you’re rubbing everything together and reducing effectiveness. Think of your routine as a relay race; pass the baton, don’t throw everyone onto the track at once.
Using too much product because “more = better”
That dropper full of hyaluronic acid? Wasted. A thick layer of retinol? Burn risk. In skincare, more product doesn’t necessarily mean better results; it often means irritation or clogged pores. Most products are designed to work in small amounts: pea-sized for serums, 2-3 fingers’ worth for sunscreen, and coin-sized for moisturizer.
Check the instructions; your skin (and wallet) will thank you.
Ignoring the dirty things that touch your face
You’re investing in retinol, but pressing a bacteria-ridden phone to your cheek? Pillowcases haven’t been washed in weeks? That breakout isn’t “hormonal,” babe.
Your routine might be flawless, but if your pillowcases, phone, or makeup brushes are filthy, you’re undoing all your work. These everyday items transfer bacteria, oil, and dirt straight onto your skin. Wash your pillowcases weekly, clean your phone screen regularly, and don’t wait until your makeup brushes look crusty to remember to clean them.
Treating expired products like vintage wine
That sunscreen from last summer? Expired. That serum you bought during lockdown? Also expired. Expired products don’t just stop working; they can also irritate your skin.
Most skincare products have a small symbol on the back (a tiny jar with “6M” or “12M”), indicating the shelf life of the product after opening. After that, the formula breaks down, meaning it either stops working or, worse, irritates your skin.
Think of it like spoiled food: if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t smear it on your face.
Remember:
Skincare isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things consistently. So next time you brag about your 10-step routine, just know we’re side-eyeing your cracked neck and unprotected hands.
Good skin doesn’t come from cramming your bathroom shelf with products. More exfoliation won’t save you. Mixing random serums won’t turn you into a skincare chemist. And clinging to that two-year-old sunscreen isn’t dedication, it’s self-sabotage.
So next time you’re tempted to add yet another serum to your cart, remember: skincare isn’t about more. It’s about better.
