Skincare Mistakes You’re Probably Making (And How to Fix Them)

Skincare can feel confusing. With so much conflicting advice, you could be making skincare mistakes without even realising it.

The problem? Those little slip-ups and bad skincare habits lead to irritation, premature aging, and maybe even long-term skin damage.

The good news? Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s your very helpful, very detailed guide to help you avoid the pitfalls and get back to a routine that actually works.

What Are the Most Common Skincare Mistakes That Damage Your Skin?

The biggest culprits behind dull, cranky, irritated skin are:

Over-cleansing

Washing your face is non-negotiable, but doing it too often (or with the wrong type of cleanser) can leave your skin feeling tight, squeaky, and dry. Cleansing too excessively, aggressively or with a too aggressive of a product can step away the natural oils and protective lipids your skin needs to stay balanced and happy. This triggers irritation, dehydration, and even more oil production as your skin scrambles to replace what’s been lost. 

The Fix: A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser (ahem … like Properly Clean or Juicy Gel) is enough to keep your face fresh without freaking it out.

Skipping SPF

SPF is the single most important product in your routine. No joke. We can blame UV exposure for most of the visible signs of aging (Think wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging), not to mention more serious long-term risks). And don’t let a rainy, winter day dupe you: UV rays reach your skin all year. 

The Fix: A daily sunscreen you love to use.

Over-exfoliating

Sweeping away dead skin cell buildup can work wonders for decongested, dull skin. But overdoing it (with too many chemicals or harsh scrubs) is one of the fastest ways to compromise your skin barrier. Causing redness, stinging, flakiness, and irritation. 

The Fix: Stick to 2–3 times per week and choose gentle chemical exfoliants like Gentle Exfoliator (with lactic acid and PHA) to start adjusting your skin to the world of exfoliants. 

Product Overload 

One too many active ingredients at once (say, layering multiple exfoliating acids with vitamin A and vitamin C) can overwhelm your skin. This leads to breakouts, irritation, and worst of all: undoing all your skincare handy work. 

The Fix: Stick to a simple routine with a handful of recommended face products that do the heavy lifting. 

How Bad Skincare Habits Lead to Skin Damage

These type of skincare mistakes can lead to a few common issues:

Pigmentation like dark spots, uneven tone, or patches of discoloration that don’t fade easily. It’s often caused by sun exposure without SPF, past breakouts, or hormonal changes.

Sensitivity that makes your skin feel ‘on edge’, all the time. If your face stings when you apply a serum, turns red at the drop of a hat, or flakes after using actives, you’re dealing with sensitivity. Over-cleansing, over-exfoliating, or using harsh products are common culprits.

Premature wrinkles: Wrinkles are inevitable, but showing them earlier than expected is often linked to bad skincare habits like skipping sunscreen or neglecting moisturiser. The signs? Fine lines around your eyes or mouth that don’t disappear when your face is at rest, creasing on your forehead, or skin that looks a tad crepey.

Weak, reactive skin that struggles to tolerate new products, flares up easily, and may feel perpetually dry or inflamed. Signs include redness, frequent breakouts, or skin that seems to “react” to everything — even water. Often, it’s the result of overdoing it: too many acids, too much cleansing, or not enough nourishing hydration. Clarifying Face Hero is a great choice here ‘cos it’s a hardworking product that’s still ridiculously respectful to your skin barrier.

Skincare Dos For Healthy, Glowing Skin

Here’s your cheat sheet for skincare dos:

Do: cleanse gently. Use a gentle cleanser (ahem like Properly Clean or Juicy Gel) to refresh skin without stripping. And skip cleanser in the morning if you don't need it.

Do: hydrate daily. Much Plumper Skin layers hydration deep into the skin.

Do: nourish your barrier. Add Face Hero or Very Useful Face Cream to lock in moisture.

Do: wear SPF every day. No excuses. 

Skincare Don’ts That Can Cause Irritation Or Breakouts

And your skincare don’ts:

Don’t: use gritty scrubs that scratch your face. Opt for a gentle exfoliator, used sparingly to start with.

Don’t: skip moisturiser—even oily skin needs hydration. Reach for a lightweight option that nourishes your skin without overloading it.

Don’t: experiment with a dozen actives at once. Follow this handy guide to make sure you're not mixing products that don’t play nice together.

Don’t: forget sunscreen. (Are we repeating ourselves? Yes. Will we stop? No.)

How To Fix Your Skincare Routine To Avoid Skin Damage

If your routine feels overwhelming (or isn’t working), here’s how to course-correct:

1. Cut it back. Stick to cleanse, serum, moisturise, and SPF.

2. Pick gentle exfoliants like Gentle Exfoliator. Use only 2–3 times per week. 

3. Hydrate smart. Stack Much Plumper Skin with Very Useful Face Cream.

4. Protect daily. Nifty Fifty SPF every single morning.

FAQs

Why you should avoid harsh products on sensitive skin?

If you’ve got sensitive skin, heavy-duty actives or harsh scrubs can tip it into meltdown, causing redness, dryness, stinging, or even full-on flare-ups. Stick to gentle, sensitive-skin friendly products.

What are the most common skincare mistakes that damage your skin?

The usual suspects: Cleansing too often, skipping SPF, over-exfoliating, and using way too many products at once (confused skin means cranky skin).

How can bad skincare habits lead to long-term skin damage?

The little things add up. Skipping sunscreen, over-scrubbing, or using products that don’t suit your skin can weaken your barrier, ramp up sensitivity, and fast-track premature aging. Consistency and simplicity beat chaos every time.

What skincare do’s should I follow for healthy, glowing skin?

Do cleanse gently (think Properly Clean or Juicy Gel). Do hydrate daily with a serum like Much Plumper Skin. Do nourish your barrier with a restorative moisturiser or oil. And do wear SPF. Every single day. (Your future face will thank you.)

What skincare mistakes can cause irritation or breakouts?

Avoid harsh scrubs, skipping moisturiser, product overload, and skipping SPF. Each of these can send your skin into breakout mode.

How can I fix my skincare routine to avoid damaging my skin?

Pare it back. Stick to a few good products that multitask: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, a nourishing moisturiser, and SPF. Add in exfoliation a couple of times a week if your skin can handle it.

Does over-cleansing cause skin damage?

Cleansing too often or with a harsh formula strips away the good oils your skin needs to stay balanced, leaving it dry, tight, or breakout-prone. We went ahead and asked a dermal therapist for advice on how to best cleanse. 

Why avoid harsh products on sensitive skin?

Because “tingly” doesn’t mean “working.” Harsh products can trigger redness, burning, or dryness—and nobody wants that. Sensitive skin does best with calming, fuss-free formulas that respect its limits.

How do bad skincare habits affect aging and wrinkles?

1. Skipping moisturiser. This leaves skin thirsty and crepey. 

2. Skipping SPF. UV rays break down collagen and speed up fine lines.

The Bottom Line

Most skincare mistakes are easy to make—but even easier to fix. By skipping the bad skincare habits (over-cleansing, scrubbing, skipping SPF) and sticking to the skincare do’s and don’ts, you’ll protect your skin from long-term damage.