Skin Care Mistakes You Might Not Realize You're Making

Taking care of your skin is important for your complexion and for your health. After all, your skin serves as a vital barrier against germs and pollutants that could otherwise make you very sick.

At Luxbae medical spa in Glendale and West Hollywood, California, our team works with patients individually to craft skin care routines featuring professional treatments and at-home care featuring Biologique Recherche skincare products derived from the finest natural ingredients. 

As leaders in skincare for people of all skin types and all ages, our team sees lots of skin care “mistakes” that make skin look and feel worse. Here are nine common mistakes you could be making.

1. Using the wrong cleanser

Your cleanser is one of the key elements in your skin care routine. You want a cleanser that’s strong enough to remove makeup and other debris, but not so harsh that it irritates your skin. In fact, you want a cleanser that’s designed for delicate facial skin. 

If you’re cleansing your skin with body wash or the bar of soap sitting in your shower, you’re doing yourself a big disservice — and potentially causing breakouts and other problems.

2. Not applying moisturizer after cleansing

Even the gentlest cleanser can leave skin dry. Applying moisturizer after washing your skin helps restore its moisture barrier while preventing itching, irritation, and flaking. Plus, regular moisturizing keeps skin supple, so tiny lines are less likely to show up.

3. Skipping the sunscreen

Even on the cloudiest days, your skin needs sunscreen before going out. It’s the sun’s UV rays that damage skin, and those rays can penetrate even dense cloud cover. Be sure to use enough sunscreen, too — a dab about the size of a nickel is enough for your face and neck. 

4. Not removing makeup before bed

We’ve all been there: You’ve had a busy day and you’re super tired. The thought of washing your face and applying moisturizer seems like too much to deal with. After all, it’s just makeup. 

The fact is, leaving makeup on your skin overnight is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. All that makeup combines with oil to clog pores and significantly increase the risk of breakouts. Worse, it could contribute to collagen breakdown and premature aging.

5. Not changing your pillowcase enough

OK, this one is kind of gross. But did you know that your pillowcase could be making your skin problems worse? That’s because over time, it can collect a lot of oils and dead skin cells — gross to you, but delicious food to dust mites. Combined, the skin debris and dust mite, er, excrement can irritate your skin and cause breakouts, too. 

6. Not cleaning your phone screen 

Speaking of cleaning, your phone screen is also a natural harbor for excess skin oils and makeup residue, too, not to mention the germs from your fingers. Pressing your phone to your cheek is a good way to transfer germs and debris right onto your face, where they can cause a host of skin problems.

7. Not drinking enough water

About two-thirds of your skin is made up of water. If you’re not drinking enough, you’re not giving your skin one of its most essential components that it needs to stay supple and maintain its protective moisture barrier. Aim for eight glasses a day (consult your doctor if you have kidney problems), and limit drinks with caffeine, which can actually dry your skin.

8. Ignoring your neck

When it comes to moisturizing and other skin care routines, most of us focus on the face area, stopping short of the neck. But guess what. Your neck skin is delicate, too — so delicate, it’s often one of the first areas to show the signs of aging. Be sure to include your neck (and decolletage, too) in your skincare routine.

9. Using the wrong product combination

One of the most important things you can do for your skin is to choose the right products for your skin type, your complexion needs, your age, and other factors that affect the health of your skin. Cruising the drugstore aisles looking for bargains or heeding the latest fad on social media isn’t doing your skin any favors. 

Your skin is unique, and you need a combination of products tailored to your skin’s “profile.” Selecting products begins with a professional skin evaluation with our team, following up with products recommended for your individual needs, so you can enjoy glowing results at every age.

Give your skin the love it deserves

Your skin is your largest organ. Don’t leave its health up to chance. To schedule your in-depth skin evaluation, call 310-299-4444 or book an appointment online with the team at Luxbae today.