We all have the best intentions when it comes to our skin. We want our skin to look and feel its very best, so we do what we’re told in terms of looking after it. 

However, chances are that even when you follow all of the beauty advice that you’ve been given to a T, your skin doesn’t look quite as flawless as you would hope. Why is this? Well, it could be down to one or two easy-to-remedy skincare mistakes that you’re making. Whether you’re using harmful ingredients or you’re applying your products incorrectly, read on as Introstem shares nine of the most common skincare mistakes out there.

1. Skipping SPF

Let’s start with one of the biggest skincare mistakes out there; not wearing SPF. 

When it comes to the damage that your skin experiences over the course of its lifetime, the sun is responsible for most of it. Research confirms that prolonged sun exposure leads to premature aging of the skin. The effects may take a few years to accumulate, but, once they do, you’ll notice a rapid onset of wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and dark spots.

Of course, let’s not forget that the sun’s damage can also lead to skin cancer, making it even more important to keep your skin protected.

One way to do this is with Introstem’s Stem Cell Active Defense SPF 30. This two-in-one product functions as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen. It provides SPF 30 for year-round sun protection while also fortifying your complexion with vitamins and antioxidant-rich plant extracts.

2. Sleeping With Makeup On

Another one of the big skincare mistakes that people make is sleeping with makeup on.

We get it – after a long day (or night), there are times when you simply feel too exhausted to properly cleanse your face. Rather than carrying out your skincare routine, you crawl into bed for some much-needed sleep.

We won’t deny that catching up on some extra sleep will do your skin the world of good, but it will all be for nothing if you don’t remove your makeup before hitting the sack. 

What’s the big deal about sleeping with makeup on?

It causes a couple of problems. Firstly, all of that extra product will settle into your pores, resulting in blockages. This is the precursor to inflammation and acne. Many of the particles in those products can also end up causing damage and accelerating aging when they delve too deep – they’re designed for the surface of your skin, not for the deeper layers. Finally, with all of that makeup forming mini obstacles around your skin, your skin cells will be inhibited from carrying out their vital nightly functions. This will leave your face looking dull and drab the next morning.

We know that cleansing can sometimes feel like a chore, which is why we created the Stem Cell Mousse Cleanser. With this luxurious formula, which is infused with grape stem cells, aloe leaf extract, and argan oil, you’ll never want to go a night without cleansing!

3. Leaving Your Skin Bare After Cleansing

What do you do immediately after cleansing your skin? 

If your answer is anything other than toning or moisturizing, then this is another mistake that could be damaging your skin.

Ideally, once you’re done cleansing, you should apply the next product in your skincare routine within 60 seconds. Leave it for any longer than this and your skin will start to dehydrate. It will lack the protective barrier that you’ve just cleansed away, making it important for you to replace this with a suitable product.

Our favorite post-cleansing step is applying the Stem Cell Facial Toner. It’s a super hydrating formula that contains hyaluronic acid, hemp seed oil, and grape stem cells. Dab this onto your skin after cleansing and your skin will feel balanced and properly prepped for the rest of your routine.

4. Over-Exfoliating

Exfoliation is essential when it comes to maintaining a healthy-looking complexion, especially as you start to age. Not only will it clear away rough and dull skin cells, leaving your skin looking notably brighter, but it will also help to enhance the absorption of any other skincare products you apply.

That said, knowing how often to exfoliate can be a little tricky. This largely depends on both your skin type as well as the exfoliant you’re using. Trial and error is really the only way forward, but if you start to exfoliate more than necessary, you’ll end up damaging your skin’s protective barrier.

Some of the signs of over-exfoliation include irritation, redness, and burning. If you’ve been noticing any of these and have recently upped your exfoliation game, it’s time to give your skin a break. Cut back on the exfoliation for a while and then re-introduce it to your routine once your skin feels calmer. Try to pick a gentler exfoliant too – the Stem Cell Facial Peeling from Introstem is a firm favorite!

5. Incorrectly Layering Your Skincare Products

It’s not just what you apply that matters, the order in which you apply your products is important too. Even if you’ve splashed out on the very best skincare products in the world, they’re not going to function in the way that they should if they’ve been incorrectly layered onto your skin.

So, how should you be layering your skincare products?

Always start with a cleanser. This will remove any grime and oil that’s blocking the surface of your skin, making way for the rest of your skincare products to directly access your cells.

Once you’ve cleansed, it’s pretty simple. Start with your lightest and thinnest product and then work your way up to the thickest. This usually means that toners and essences follow on from a cleanser, after which serums are applied. Go ahead and use multiple serums if you wish, but, again, start with the thinnest and end with the thickest. Then, it all gets sealed in with a moisturizer.

6. Dipping Dirty Fingers Into Skincare Jars

We’ve already talked about how important it is to cleanse your face before applying any other skincare products, but you also need to ensure that your hands are completely clean too.

Think about the many different surfaces that your hands come into contact with throughout the day. With each touch, your hands gather a whole new selection of bacteria and other impurities. Dipping these hands into a jar of face cream will quickly contaminate that product. This not only means that the cream won’t work properly, but it could end up damaging your skin if any of the ingredients within were to oxidize. 

7. Neglecting Your Neck in Your Facial Routine

It’s easy to focus on the face when trying to fix any skincare mistakes that you may be making, but your neck deserves some attention too. Most people treat the neck as part of the body. It gets a quick wash in the shower and a few lashings of a body cream once in a while, but that’s about it.

However, in terms of composition, your neck is much more similar to the skin on your face than it is to the skin on your body. Just like the rest of your face, it’s pretty thin and fragile. It also undergoes a fair bit of wear and tear from how it’s almost constantly in motion, meaning that it would technically benefit from even more TLC than what you’re giving to your face.

How should you be caring for your neck?

It doesn’t need to be complicated. Simply include it when carrying out your facial skincare routine. From your cleanser to your toner to your serums, bring all of these products down to your neck, and even your chest. 

Your regular face cream would work well on your neck too. However, for best results, look for a cream that has been designed specifically to firm and tighten the look of the neck, such as Introstem’s Hydro Face and Neck Cream. Loaded with plant oils, vitamins, and peptides, this luscious cream will deeply moisturize your neck to give it a plump and lifted finish.

8. Using Harmful DIY Skincare Products

There’s no denying the allure that comes from the idea of whipping up some skincare products in your kitchen. Not only can this be cost-effective, but it means that your skin will be directly benefiting from the natural ingredients that you use, right?

In some cases, yes. However, the majority of the DIY recipes out there aren’t formulated by professionals. As a result, so many potentially harmful ingredients are recommended, from apple cider vinegar to lemon juice to comedogenic oils. These, plus so many other, compounds interfere with the skin’s natural pH balance, which causes several different skin issues.

Popular DIY exfoliants, from coffee grounds to salt, can be problematic too. You may see them in the skincare products being sold by your favorite brand, but the versions used in these formulas are much softer and safer than what is sold for culinary use. Go with something too harsh or abrasive and you’ll end up causing micro-tears in your skin.

There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with DIY recipes once in a while. However, when it comes to the products that you use daily, professionally crafted formulas will always be more beneficial. 

9. Choosing Not to Hydrate Oily Skin

One of the biggest skincare mistakes made by people with oily skin is failing to hydrate properly. After all, the skin is already so oily, so surely adding even more product over the top of that would be disastrous?

Well, it all depends on what you use to hydrate, but you should definitely be using something. The oil that your skin is producing is no substitute for good ol’ water, which is what your skin cells need. In fact, oily skin can sometimes be caused by dehydration. Your skin feels so thirsty that it tries to overcompensate by producing more oil, yet this doesn’t help.

If you’re concerned about congesting your skin with a cream, look for a hydrating serum instead. For example, the Introstem Thermostem Serum contains hydrating humectants and peptides in a silky, lightweight formula. It’s also brimming with antioxidant-rich plant extracts, which will help to address how oily your skin feels overall.

It’s Time to Fix Your Skincare Mistakes

If you can resonate with any of the skincare mistakes that we’ve featured above, it’s time to make a move and start to fix them. Just a few small tweaks in how you approach your skin could result in some truly dramatic improvements for your complexion.

Click here to browse more bestselling skincare products from Introstem.