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5 Surprising Skincare Mistakes You’re Probably Making

From the products you use to the pillowcase you sleep on, these are the mistakes that could be preventing you from achieving a flawless complexion.

Are you unintentionally undermining your skincare routine? These common practices perpetuate the cycle of oil production and dryness that leads to skin problems. Here are the things you should be watching out for while revamping your skin routine.

1. Leaving Your Face Bare After Washing

Although face wash is an essential part of any good skincare routine, it isn’t the be all and end all of flawless skin. If you leave skin bare for too long after washing, it’ll dry out, inducing inflammation and increasing oil production — basically, undoing all of your hard work. Make sure to use a good topical treatment (like benzoyl peroxide, or a gentle toner) and moisturizer.

2. Over-Exfoliating

Sure, exfoliation unclogs pores and removes dead skin. But if you exfoliate too often, or too vigorously, you run the risk of doing more harm than good. Instead of scrubbing your face, invest in a topical treatment like salicylic acid that will do the exfoliating for you.

3. Not Removing Your Makeup

You might be surprised at how much makeup your wipes leave behind. To ensure full removal, follow up with a gentle cleanser. Pay special attention to your hairline and jawline, and be certain you’ve removed any and all eye makeup before calling it a night.

4. Washing With Hot Water

Despite the common misconception that hot water will improve your cleansing routine by opening up your pores, scalding your skin will actually dry it out and worsen your complexion. Instead, stick to warm or room temperature water.

5. Not Changing Your Pillowcase

Bacteria is the number one perpetrator of acne. In addition, residue from hair products can clog your pores and exacerbate the situation. As a general rule, anything that touches your face (hands, towels, pillowcases) should be kept clean and relatively bacteria-free.

Unsure how else you could improve your skincare routine? Consult a dermatologist for more personalized advice.