5 skincare mistakes to stop making today

As a dermal therapist I’ve seen every skin care mistake and even made a few of my own.

Happily, the most common errors are often easy to fix. And if you get the basics right, you’re less likely to encounter skin concerns now or in the future.

Stop making these 5 mistakes with your skin today.

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (SPF30+ or above) is the single best thing you can do for your skin.

Wear it every day, year-round, even in winter, while you’re driving or if you’re mostly inside. While UVB rays (the main cause of sunburn) are less of a problem in cooler months, UVA rays (which can cause premature ageing and other problems) can penetrate through clouds, fog and even glass.¹

It’s the one part of your skincare regime that you should never be lazy about. Make it a habit like brushing your teeth and don’t leave the house without it.

If you don't remove makeup and dirt from your skin properly, any serums and active products won’t be able to do their job.

Ideally, do a single cleanse first thing in the morning when your skin is likely to be cleaner, and then 2 cleanses at night. Wash your face with an oil cleanser first to remove any make-up and SPF, then use a gel, cream or foaming cleanser to clean your skin.

Knowing your skin type is vital so you can choose the right products for you, but too often people get it wrong.

Many people think they have dry skin when the problem is a stripped skin barrier.

Others assume they have dry or sensitive skin when they might just be dehydrated or over-using active products.

I always recommend seeing a dermal therapist at least once. They can help you to identify your skin type and the ideal regimen for it. Then, you can buy products which are suited to what your complexion actually needs and will help support your skin properly.

There are a lot of great products and treatments out there, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing (or far too many things!).

Simplifying your skincare routine will ensure you’re not overloading your skin with products it doesn’t need while allowing the right ones to do their job properly.

If you’re using multiple products, the general rule is to apply your products from the thinnest to thickest consistency.

Serums can help target concerns, but getting the basics right is more important. That means a cleanser, toner, moisturiser and sunscreen.

If your skin is reacting, it’s a good idea to cut back on the number of 'active' products like retinol and AHAs that you use.

Looking after your face is important, but don’t stop when you hit your chin.

Your neck and décolletage (chest area) are just as prone to ageing as your face, maybe more so because they don’t get as much attention.

The same goes for your hands, which are often ignored and can be the first place to show signs of ageing.

Take the time to look after these other areas of your skin and you’ll reap the rewards later.