4 Skincare Mistakes People Make And What To Do About Them

There’s just something about healthy, glowing skin that makes you feel instantly more put together. For me, it’s not about perfect skin, it’s about that natural glow that makes you look fresh, well-rested and a little bit more confident too.

The thing is, though, wanting clear, glowing skin and actually having it aren’t always the same thing. Genetics does play a part, but I’ve found over the years that a lot of us (myself included) can make things harder without even realising it.

From over-exfoliating to skipping SPF, some of the most common skincare mistakes can quietly stop your skin from looking its best. And the frustrating part is, they’re often things we think are actually helping.

In this post, I’m going to chat through the most common skincare mistakes, along with simple, realistic ways to fix them so you can get your skin back to looking healthy, fresh and glowing.

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Spending Too Much Time In The Sun

I get it, we all love a bit of sunshine and that healthy glow you get from a tan. It’s something that’s been linked to looking youthful and “well” for years. But the reality is, too much sun exposure is actually one of the quickest ways to damage your skin. It can lead to premature ageing (think fine lines, pigmentation and loss of elasticity), and more importantly, it increases your risk of skin cancer. Not quite the glow we’re aiming for.

One thing I’ve really learned over time is that SPF isn’t just for holidays. It’s something you should be wearing every single day, even when it’s cloudy (especially here in the UK where the sun likes to play hide and seek). If you do one thing for your skin, make it this. A good SPF will protect your skin long-term and help keep that healthy glow without the damage

Using the Same Old Skincare Products

Advertising is highly effective, and for that reason, many people simply buy products from the skincare brands they know, rather than the products that actually make a difference. While it’s mostly true that using any skincare product is better than none at all, there can be a significant difference in the quality and outcomes, of skincare products.

This is especially true for an industry that is continually moving forward. If you’re still relying on ingredients from yesteryear, then you may be missing out on the benefits of the more recently trending ingredients. Not many people associate seaweed and skin care, or other relatively obscure ingredients such as spirulina and chlorella, but they’ve been shown to be highly effective for boosting skin quality. The next time you need to buy skincare products, take a look to see if there’s a better option for you, in all likelihood, there will be.

Harsh Washing

It is, of course, recommended to clean your face, but there is such a thing as cleaning too much. One of the common skincare errors people make is over-exfoliating their skin, which can damage the skin’s barrier. Taking overly hot showers can also be damaging, since it can strip away the skin’s natural oils. Talking of showers, it can be worthwhile exploring taking cold showers. While research is limited, early evidence suggests that it may offer skin and hair enhancement qualities.

Overlooking Healthy Habits

Products can make a huge difference to the quality of your skin, but they can’t do everything and they can’t make up for unhealthy habits. Following a healthy diet, avoiding toxins such as alcohol and tobacco, and getting enough sleep each night can be just as effective as many skin treatments.