4 skincare mistakes to avoid for a healthy complexion

Sara Ameli

Submitted photo

A proper skincare routine involves more than just selecting the right products — it’s about using them correctly.

Many people invest in high-quality skincare items but unknowingly make mistakes that compromise their effectiveness. Whether it’s over-exfoliating, misusing potent ingredients like salicylic acid or neglecting proper cleansing techniques, these missteps can lead to irritation, dryness and breakouts instead of the glowing skin they hope to achieve. Understanding the right application methods, product combinations and frequency of use is essential for maintaining a healthy complexion. Here are the four most common skincare woes and how to remedy them.

Mistake one: Overdoing salicylic acid on the face

Salicylic acid is a trending skincare ingredient right now, its small bottles appearing frequently on social media in content showcasing daily care routines and “get ready with me” videos. The potent ingredient penetrates deep into the skin’s barrier to dissolve keratin plugs and debris clogging our pores, making it a great choice for spot-treating blackheads and whiteheads.

Salicylic acid is classified as a chemical exfoliant due to its ability to break down and slough off the top layer of our skin cells. It effectively gets rid of the “glue” that binds cells together, encouraging them to shed naturally.

Issues with salicylic acid arise when this highly effective product is employed too frequently by users who are eager to rid their skin of acne. If overapplied, it can irritate and cause excessive dryness, causing the skin to overproduce sebum to replenish what has been stripped away.

I recommend using it twice per week, and not on the same day. This timing is especially important when you introduce this product into your routine so your skin can acclimate.

Mistake two: Exfoliating too frequently

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells to reveal bright, supple and soft skin underneath. It is a regular step in caring for one’s face and body, recommended for everything from after-wax care to facial breakout prevention. There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical.

Physical exfoliants often take the form of brushes and sugar scrubs and rely on an abrasive texture to manually shed skin cells. This technique does not penetrate as deeply as chemical exfoliants can, and in recent years has seen waning popularity due to micro-tears, or tiny abrasions that can damage the skin and introduce bacteria and infection to its surface.

Chemical exfoliants are much more widely recommended by skincare experts. They fall into three categories: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). Each type of chemical exfoliant has its unique function and place within a skincare routine.
Over-exfoliating is a common mistake for both physical and chemical exfoliants. Skin should be exfoliated one to two times per week, max. Over-exfoliated skin is irritated, dry and flakey. Some people might even develop a rash-like texture and uneven skin tone due to inflammation.

Breakouts, which exfoliating is intended to prevent in the first place, are often common when skin has been exfoliated too much. The skin might also feel “tight,” which might be mistaken for being clean, but is due to over-stripping of the skin’s natural oils.

Mistake three: Not properly removing makeup

A single wash at bedtime might not be enough to completely remove all traces of makeup from your pores. Double cleansing, or washing one’s face twice, is increasingly recommended by skin experts.

The first wash is intended to wash away layers of foundation, creams, sunscreen and grime. The second wash ensures that all product is removed, allowing the products that follow to seep into your pores, now free of buildup. Some skincare experts recommend utilizing different cleansers for each wash — the first product might double as a makeup remover, while the second might be gentler, without active exfoliating ingredients.

Double cleansing might best benefit oilier skin or those who wear makeup daily and isn’t always suitable for all skin types. For those who don’t wear heavy makeup, a single cleansing with a gentle face wash might be sufficient. 

Mistake four: Applying products in the wrong order

No matter how pricy and popular a skincare product might be, its effectiveness could be minimized if applied at the incorrect time in a care routine. I recommend first cleansing the skin to remove makeup and grime from daily activities, then applying toner and essences, followed by serums and finally a moisturizer.

Spot treatments and/or sunscreen should always be last in your routine, applied once products have soaked into the skin.

Editor’s note: Sara Ameli, DNP, FNP-C is a regenerative aesthetics and wellness provider at Haus of Confidence in Scottsdale. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.