7 Common Skincare Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Small tweaks, big difference

Sometimes the issue isn't the products you're using — it's how you're using them. Here are seven of the most common skincare mistakes and the easy fixes that can get your skin back on track.

1. Over-exfoliating

It's one of the most common mistakes people make. Scrubbing too often or layering multiple acid products strips away the skin's protective barrier faster than it can rebuild, leaving skin red, tight, flaky or weirdly shiny (which can be mistaken for a "glow"). Fix: Exfoliate gently, around one to three times a week depending on your skin, and pick one exfoliating product rather than several. 

2. Skipping sunscreen

Unprotected UV exposure is behind most visible signs of skin ageing — this is well established: in the Hughes et al. randomized trial (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2013, 903 adults over 4.5 years), people using sunscreen daily showed 24% less skin ageing than those using it occasionally. It also worsens the look of dark spots. Fix: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning as your final step — even on cloudy days and indoors near windows. SPF in makeup alone usually isn't enough.

3. Applying products in the wrong order

Layer heavy creams first and your lightweight serums may never reach your skin. Fix: Go thinnest to thickest — watery products first, richer creams later, sunscreen last in the morning. 

4. Using too many actives at once

Retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids are all wonderful — but pile them on together and you invite irritation and a damaged barrier. Fix: Introduce one active at a time, use strong actives at night, and buffer with hydrating, soothing products. 

5. Not moisturising (or skipping it because you're oily)

Every skin type needs moisture. Strip it away and oily skin often produces even more oil to compensate. Fix: Use a moisturiser suited to your type — lightweight and gel-like for oily skin, richer for dry skin — and apply it while your skin is still slightly damp.

6. Rushing and not being consistent

Slapping products on in five seconds, or chopping and changing every week, doesn't give anything time to work. Fix: Give each layer 30–60 seconds to absorb, and give new products at least a few weeks before you judge them.

7. Chasing every trend

Not every viral hack suits your skin, and some can irritate it or make existing concerns worse. Fix: Build around evidence-based basics — gentle cleanser, moisturiser, SPF — and add extras thoughtfully, one at a time. When in doubt, simpler is better.

The takeaway

Healthy skin usually comes down to a few good habits done consistently: cleanse gently, moisturise, protect with SPF, and respect your barrier. Fix these common slip-ups and you'll often see more improvement than any single new product could deliver.