A dedicated skincare routine is undoubtedly crucial to get clear, glowing skin. However, simply creating and following a routine isn’t enough. You need to do skincare correctly, which is actually the tricky part. You might be doing everything “right” in your skincare routine—cleansing, moisturising, applying serums—but still not getting the glowing skin you want. Why? The culprit could be hidden in the skincare mistakes you're unknowingly making. 

Even small missteps like skipping moisturiser or scrubbing too hard can add up and take a toll on your skin over time.  Here, we're breaking down the most common skincare mistakes to avoid so your products can actually do their job—and your skin can thrive.

1. Over-Exfoliating Your Skin

Gentle exfoliation is great—but too much of a good thing can backfire. Over-exfoliating skin risks damaging your protective barrier, leading to redness, irritation, and even breakouts. Over-exfoliating skin risks damaging the protective barrier, leading to sensitivity, redness, and breakouts.

Exfoliating helps increase cell turnover to bring fresh cells to the surface, but daily exfoliation may irritate your skin. Start by exfoliating a couple times a week and increase if needed. Exfoliate all over once a week and then focus on rough, textured problem areas. 

If you’re unsure which exfoliants are gentle yet effective, check out this helpful guide on mandelic and glycolic acids for even skin tone. It breaks down how to exfoliate without harming your skin. 

Avoid it: 

• Limit physical or chemical exfoliation to 2–3 times a week

• Watch for signs of overuse: stinging, dryness, and flaking

• Always follow up with a hydrating serum or moisturiser 

2. Touching Your Face Constantly

If you have acne-prone skin, this is the most common skincare mistake you can make!

• Our hands carry bacteria and dirt while we are on the go every day. Touching your face constantly transfers this dirt onto your skin. 

• This can irritate your existing pimples and also cause further breakouts. 

• To avoid this skincare mistake, it is best to avoid touching your face constantly. And it is also important to always remember to wash your hands before applying skincare products.

3. Not cleaning your makeup brushes

• Oil and makeup build up on your makeup brushes. 

• Wiping the surface between uses with an alcohol-based cleanser helps extend the time between washes, but don’t skip the deep clean! 

• Wash your brushes with soap and water at least once a week to release stubborn buildup and gunk. 

• Use baby shampoo or a gentle cleanser.

4. Cleansing Too Often or Too Harshly

Yes, even over-cleansing damages the skin barrier. Using harsh face washes too frequently can strip away natural oils, causing dryness, sensitivity, and breakouts. While cleansing is key, so is understanding the double cleanse importance, especially at night. The first cleanse helps remove SPF, make-up, and pollutants, while the second cleanse ensures your skin is truly clean and prepped for serums and treatments.

To keep your barrier intact, use a gentle, skin-loving cleanser like the Hydrating Daily Cleanser with Rose, Chamomile & Ceramides. It soothes sensitive skin with calming botanicals and helps maintain moisture with ceramides—making it ideal for daily use without over-stripping. 

Better approach:

• Use a gentle cleanser, ideally with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5

• Cleanse twice a day—no more

• Skip foaming cleansers if your skin feels tight afterwards

5. Skipping out on moisturisation

One of the biggest skincare mistakes is assuming you don’t need a moisturiser, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Moisturising helps maintain your skin’s protective barrier and prevents dehydration, irritation, and premature ageing. 

If there's one thing we should learn from the start, it's to thoroughly moisturise our skin. Drinks, fruits and vegetables hydrate our bodies, but we should also give our skin that extra helping hand by applying moisturising treatments. Skin becomes tight, itchy, rough, or dull when it's dehydrated

To support skin hydration while providing antioxidant protection, try the Rejuvenating Day Cream with Green Tea, Bilberry & Papaya. Its lightweight texture makes it ideal for daily use, and it delivers natural nourishment without clogging pores.

Why it matters:

• Hydrated skin is more resilient and balanced

• Skipping this step can trigger excess oil production

• Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula suited for your skin type

6. Forgetting SPF Around Eyes and Lips

One of the most common skin care mistakes is skipping out on an SPF product. You probably know about how exposure to the sun’s rays can lead to early signs of ageing. UVA rays from the sun are known to penetrate through windows and can get absorbed in your skin, which can result in early signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles & dark spots. 

One of the most common skincare mistakes to avoid is skipping sunscreen, even on cloudy days. You probably know to wear sunscreen—but neglecting lips and eyes in your SPF routine is a major miss. These delicate areas are thin and prone to sun damage, dark spots, and early wrinkles.

Pro tips:

• Use an SPF lip balm

• Choose eye creams or sunscreens that are tested as safe for the eye area

• Reapply every 2–3 hours if outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What are the most common skincare mistakes people make?

A) Over-exfoliating, skipping SPF, over-cleansing, using expired products, and neglecting key areas like lips and under-eyes.

Q2) Is over-exfoliating bad for your skin, and how can I avoid it?

A) Yes! It breaks your skin barrier. Limit use to 2–3 times per week and follow up with soothing products.

Q3) Why is double cleansing important in a skincare routine?

A) It ensures all SPF, makeup, and dirt are fully removed, preventing clogged pores and breakouts.

Q4)  How can over-cleansing damage my skin barrier?

A) Overwashing strips your natural oils, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and potential inflammation.

Q5) Does using expired sunscreen really affect my skin?

A) Absolutely. It becomes less effective at UV protection and may cause irritation.

Q6) Should I apply sunscreen to my lips and under-eye area too?

A) Yes! These areas are delicate and often forgotten, but are very prone to sun damage.

Your skincare routine can only be as effective as the habits that support it. Even the most luxurious products won’t deliver results if common mistakes are sabotaging your efforts. By avoiding over-exfoliation, maintaining clean tools, staying hydrated with the right moisturiser, and never skipping SPF—even on your lips and around your eyes—you’re giving your skin the best chance to look and feel radiant. Stay consistent, stay informed, and your glow will thank you!