Four Common Skincare Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Four familiar habits and the simpler alternatives.
A useful skincare routine does not need ten steps or a bathroom shelf full of products. For most people, the basics are fairly straightforward: cleanse properly, use the products your skin actually needs and protect it from the sun.
The same four mistakes come up again and again: cleansing too aggressively, introducing several products together, saving SPF for sunny days and replacing an entire routine when the season changes. Here is how to make each one simpler.
1. Cleansing until your skin feels squeaky clean
That tight, squeaky-clean feeling can be strangely satisfying, particularly if your skin becomes oily during the day. But if your face regularly feels dry, tight or uncomfortable after washing, your cleansing routine may be doing more than it needs to.
Very hot water, rough cloths and repeated scrubbing can irritate the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, lukewarm water and your fingertips rather than a washcloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and pat your face dry instead of rubbing it with a towel.
What you have been wearing during the day matters too. Makeup and water-resistant sunscreen may need more attention than a light morning cleanse. A cleansing balm such as Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm can be massaged onto dry skin to help dissolve makeup before being mixed with a little water and rinsed away.
Whether you need a second cleanser will depend on what you have been wearing and how the balm rinses from your skin. If you still feel some residue, follow with a gentle water-based cleanser. The important thing is to remove everything comfortably without leaving your face feeling stripped afterwards.
2. Applying products in the wrong order
Korean skincare has made gentle hydration, daily SPF and lightweight layering much more familiar. Essences, ampoules and mists can all be useful additions. The confusion begins when every possible layer starts to feel like an essential step.
The basic order is straightforward. Cleanse first, apply any prescribed medication or targeted treatment as directed, then moisturiser and sunscreen. Makeup comes last. This is also the order recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.
For additional cosmetic steps, lighter textures will generally sit before richer creams, although the directions for the individual product should always take priority. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water, for example, is designed to be patted onto the face after cleansing and before moisturiser.
Order is only part of the issue. Introducing several serums, acids or other active products together makes it difficult to know what is helping and what may be causing irritation. Add one new product at a time and give your skin a chance to respond before changing something else.
There is little value in building an elaborate routine that is difficult to follow. A few well-chosen products used consistently will usually serve you better.
3. Saving SPF for sunny days
Irish weather makes it tempting to leave sunscreen for holidays and the few days that feel properly warm. Temperature, however, does not tell you how strong the ultraviolet radiation is, and cloud does not remove the risk.
The better guide is the UV index. The HSE advises protecting your skin when the index reaches 3 or above. In Ireland, that commonly happens from April to September, including on cloudy days.
Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for adults. Apply it to skin that will not be covered by clothing around 20 minutes before going outdoors. Remember the ears, neck and any exposed chest or shoulders rather than stopping at the edge of your face.
Sunscreen should be the final skincare step before makeup. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, as well as after swimming, sweating or towel drying. It should be used alongside suitable clothing, shade, a hat and sunglasses rather than as the only form of protection.
A sunscreen you like wearing is one you are more likely to use. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ Rice + B5 has a moisturising, lotion-like texture designed to sit lightly on the skin without a heavy finish.
4. Changing everything when the season changes
Your skin may behave differently as the weather changes, but that does not mean every product in your routine needs to be replaced.
Cold weather, low humidity and indoor heating can contribute to dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that indoor heating can draw moisture from the skin during winter. If your face begins to feel tighter or becomes flaky, switching to a gentler cleanser or a more nourishing moisturiser may be enough.
In warmer or more humid conditions, a lighter moisturiser may feel more comfortable. Spending more time outdoors can also make regular sun protection and thorough evening cleansing more important.
Pay attention to what your skin is doing rather than changing products simply because the calendar says it is autumn or summer. Adjust one step first and see whether it makes a difference.
Mervue Organics Superfruit Moisturiser is a nourishing, quick-absorbing formula containing organic oils and butters for times when your skin needs some additional moisture.
Keep it simple enough to stick with
If your skincare routine has become confusing, strip it back to the steps you understand and use regularly. Cleanse without scrubbing, introduce new products gradually, keep the order straightforward and let the UV index guide your sun protection.
Explore the full Korean beauty collection and Mervue Organic Skincare range online.
If you are unsure where to begin, call into the Beauty department at Good’s, 88 & 90 High Street, Kilkenny. The team can help you compare textures, make sense of the products you already use and choose additions that fit comfortably into your routine.
Persistent irritation, acne, redness, pigmentation or another changing skin concern should be discussed with your GP or a dermatologist.
