Everyone wants good skin. And, no one’s skin is nearly flawless, but what is important is that you work on it and improve. We all are guilty of following random skincare routines we see on YouTube and trying out skincare hacks from TikTok and Instagram. However, most often, these skincare tips and fads do us more harm than good. 

While breaking old habits can be challenging, improving your skin may be the motivation you need. Sometimes, what feels comforting for your skin may not necessarily be the best thing for your skin. Therefore, even if you have a go-to skincare routine that you are comfortable with, making minor adjustments can take your skin to the next level. But, are you making any common skincare mistakes? Read along to find out and avoid the biggest skincare mistakes. 

10 Common Skincare Mistakes

Here is the list of common skincare mistakes that you should avoid:

1. Relying heavily on face wipes

We are all guilty of making this common skincare mistake. Most of us rely heavily on facial wipes. They are convenient to use, travel-friendly, and satisfying. However, facial wipes have several disadvantages. Your face might feel fresh after using a facial wipe, but these wipes don’t really clean your face and certainly can’t replace your cleanser.

In addition, face wipes are harsh on the skin. It applies a lot of pressure on your face and can scrape it off, leaving your skin inflamed and red.

2. Not cleaning your phone

Want to ace teenage skincare? Clean your phone. This tip may seem unrelated, but trust us, it isn’t. One of the biggest skincare mistakes you can commit is not cleaning your phone. Young people nowadays are constantly glued to their phones. Your phone screen can pick up tons of debris and bacteria. When you make a phone call, all that debris and bacteria transfer to your skin. This is not only gross but it can cause a lot of damage. So, remember to wipe down your phone screen with a disinfectant wipe now and then! 

3. Exfoliating your skin too much or too little

The secret to good skin is proper exfoliation. One of the most beneficial teenage skincare tips is to exfoliate your skin properly. One of the biggest skincare mistakes teenagers make is that they either exfoliate their skin every day or don’t exfoliate at all. Both are bad. The key to proper exfoliation is to use a gentle exfoliator and exfoliate twice a week. 

4. Changing products too quickly

One of the most common skincare mistakes one can make is changing products too frequently. Sometimes we are too excited to try out new products that we try to change your entire skincare routine overnight. This is one of the biggest skincare mistakes. 

Changing products too quickly can break your skin out and damage it. Instead, if you want to incorporate a new product into your skincare routine, try to ease it in. And, give your skincare products time to work on your skin and show results. 

5. Constantly touching your face

Let’s be real. Everyone makes this mistake. We all touch our faces subconsciously, but in reality, this is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Our hands carry tons of germs and bacteria that are at risk of transferring to your face when you touch it. And, another tip: don’t pop your pimples! 

6. Popping pimples 

Pus-filled pimples look tempting and there is an uncontrollable urge to pop them. But, this is one of the most common skincare mistakes that you should avoid. Don’t pop your pimples. Instead, leave them as they are, let them set, and then use salicylic acid to get rid of them. 

7. Only moisturizing your face at night

Teenage skincare is all about going for shortcuts. Every high-schooler is guilty of moisturizing their face only at night. You should moisturize your face twice a day, once in the morning and then at night. Go for a lightweight moisturizer and nothing too heavy.

Gel-based moisturizers work incredibly well in teenage skincare routines. Also, give your moisturizers a few minutes to seep into your skin and set in before you go for any other product.

8. Skipping sunscreen

One of the most common skincare mistakes is skipping sunscreen. It is not only the biggest skincare mistake you can make but also the worst thing you can do to your skin. 

Sunscreen has innumerable benefits for our skin. SPF is the most important skincare step. It prevents your skin from the sun and free radicals present in the skin and acts as a shield against skin cancer. Try to use an SPF 50 sunscreen 15 minutes before you step out in the sun. And, if you are spending long hours outside, reapply your SPF every 2-3 hours.

9. Having the same morning and night skincare routine

Sticking to a proper skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. And, one thing that overwhelms teenagers and young people is having separate skincare routines for the morning and evening. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Your skin has different goals depending on the time of the day. Always remember that SPF is for the daytime, and any skin care treatment including chemical exfoliators and face masks is for the night. 

10. Not drinking enough water

Last but not least, if you want good skin, you must drink water. Most of us tend to underestimate the power of water and what it can do to our skin. This is a common skincare mistake that all of us are guilty of. However, water is the holy grail of skincare. 10 cups of water a day will keep skincare problems at bay!

These were some of the most common skincare mistakes you should avoid. Lastly, remember to stay consistent with taking care of your skin. 

Also read: 6 Amazing Skincare Tips For Men