Skincare Red Flags: 10 Things Your Esthetician Wishes You’d Stop Doing
We promise we’re not judging your skin.
Your skincare habits, though? We may need to have a conversation.
There is a lot of skincare advice out there, and between TikTok trends, complicated routines, miracle products, and whatever ingredient the internet has decided we’re obsessed with this week, skincare has gotten unnecessarily confusing.
At Skinversity, we’re big believers that good skincare doesn’t have to mean doing the most. In fact, sometimes the things you’re doing to “fix” your skin are exactly what’s making it unhappy.
So, from your estheticians to you, here are 10 skincare red flags we would really like you to stop doing.
01 / BREAKOUT HABITS
Picking Your Pimples
We know.
It’s right there.
It has a whitehead.
And you are absolutely convinced you can get it.
But picking and squeezing your breakouts can create more inflammation and trauma to the skin. It can also increase your chances of lingering discoloration and, in some cases, scarring.
This is especially important if you’re someone who develops dark marks after a breakout.
That tiny pimple might have lasted a few days. The hyperpigmentation you created by attacking it in the bathroom mirror can stick around much longer.
If you’re struggling with congestion, professional extractions may be a better option because we’re able to assess what actually should and shouldn’t be extracted.
So please, step away from the magnifying mirror.
THE BETTER HABIT
Leave breakouts alone, use appropriate acne care, and ask your esthetician whether professional extractions are suitable for your skin.
02 / OVER-EXFOLIATION
Thinking More Exfoliation Means Better Skin
If exfoliating twice a week is good, doing it every day must be amazing, right?
No.
Your skin has a protective barrier, and constantly attacking it with scrubs, exfoliating acids, retinoids, cleansing brushes, peels, and every other resurfacing product you own can leave it irritated and compromised.
Sometimes the person telling us their skin is “extremely sensitive” actually has a skincare routine containing six different active ingredients.
Your skin may not hate everything.
It may just be begging you to leave it alone for a minute.
Exfoliation is incredibly useful when it’s appropriate for your skin. The goal is controlled exfoliation, not seeing how much your face can tolerate.
THE BETTER HABIT
Choose an exfoliation schedule appropriate for your skin and give your barrier time to recover between treatments.
03 / PRODUCT TRENDS
Using Every Trending Skincare Product You See Online
Your favorite influencer’s skincare routine is not automatically your skincare routine.
Neither is your best friend’s.
Neither is the person on TikTok with suspiciously perfect lighting telling you that one serum completely transformed their skin in three days.
A product can be fantastic and still be completely wrong for your skin.
Before adding something new, ask yourself what you’re actually trying to accomplish.
Do you need it?
Does it address one of your actual concerns?
Does it work with the products you’re already using?
Or did someone with beautiful skin hold it up on TikTok and suddenly you needed it immediately?
We’ve all been there.
THE BETTER HABIT
Buy products for your skin concerns, not because they went viral. Introduce new products gradually so you can monitor your skin’s response.
04 / CONSISTENCY
Changing Your Entire Routine Every Two Weeks
Skincare needs consistency.
If you use a new routine for a week, decide it isn’t working, buy five new products, use those for another week, and then start over again, it’s going to be very difficult to figure out what your skin actually responds to.
Some skincare results take time.
Constantly changing products can also make it harder to identify what’s helping, what’s doing nothing, and what’s causing irritation.
You don’t necessarily need more products.
Sometimes you just need to consistently use the right ones.
THE BETTER HABIT
Stick with a simple routine long enough to evaluate it, unless a product is causing irritation or another concerning reaction.
05 / SUN PROTECTION
Skipping Sunscreen Because “I’m Not Going Outside”
We hear this one all the time.
Or:
“It’s cloudy.”
“It’s winter.”
“I’m only driving.”
“My makeup has SPF.”
Daily sun protection is one of the most important parts of a skincare routine, particularly if you’re trying to improve concerns like hyperpigmentation and visible signs of aging.
And if you’re spending money on professional treatments while completely ignoring sun protection at home, you’re making it much harder to maintain the results you’re working toward.
Especially after treatments like chemical peels and professional exfoliation, SPF is not the step to skip.
Chicago may go months without showing us the sun, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean sunscreen gets the winter off.
THE BETTER HABIT
Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Apply it when you’ll be exposed to daylight and reapply as needed, especially when outdoors.
06 / MOISTURE BALANCE
Assuming Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer
Oil and hydration are not the same thing.
You can have oily skin that is also dehydrated.
Skipping moisturizer because you’re worried it will make you “more oily” isn’t necessarily the answer. The better approach is finding a moisturizer that’s appropriate for your skin.
Your skincare routine shouldn’t be about stripping every drop of oil from your face.
Healthy skin needs balance.
THE BETTER HABIT
Try a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that works for your skin rather than skipping moisturizer altogether.
07 / NIGHTTIME ROUTINE
Sleeping in Your Makeup
We shouldn’t have to say this.
But we do.
Please wash your face before bed.
Sleeping in makeup means you’re leaving makeup, oil, sweat, sunscreen, and everything your skin encountered throughout the day sitting on your face overnight.
And no, a makeup wipe isn’t always the same thing as thoroughly cleansing your skin.
If you’re wearing makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, a double cleanse at night can be a great way to make sure everything is properly removed.
We understand being tired.
We understand getting home at 2 a.m.
Wash. Your. Face.
Your pillowcase will also thank you.
THE BETTER HABIT
Cleanse before bed. If you wear heavier makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, consider a gentle double cleanse.
08 / SKIN IRRITATION
Thinking a Product Is Working Because It Burns
Please stop doing this.
There is a difference between the temporary sensation that can occur with certain active ingredients and your skin telling you that something is wrong.
Burning is not a badge of honor.
Neither is extreme redness, excessive dryness, or irritation.
You do not need to suffer for your skincare to be effective.
If something is causing significant or persistent burning, discomfort, swelling, or irritation, stop using it and seek appropriate professional guidance.
Your skincare routine should support your skin, not punish it.
THE BETTER HABIT
Pay attention to persistent irritation. Stop products that cause significant discomfort and consult an appropriate healthcare professional when needed.
09 / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Using Too Many Active Ingredients at the Same Time
Retinol. Vitamin C. AHAs. BHAs. Benzoyl peroxide. Exfoliating toners. Brightening serums.
Sometimes the problem isn’t that you need another active ingredient. It’s that your bathroom has turned into a chemistry lab.
Active ingredients can be incredibly useful, but that doesn’t mean they all need to go on your face at the same time.
Layering too many strong products or using them too frequently can lead to dryness, irritation, redness, sensitivity, and a compromised skin barrier.
It can also make it almost impossible to figure out which product is actually helping and which one is causing the problem.
More products do not automatically equal better skin.
A simpler, intentional routine that you can use consistently is often much more beneficial than throwing every trending active ingredient at your face.
THE BETTER HABIT
Build your routine around a few purposeful ingredients. Check how your products work together before introducing more actives.
10 / LONG-TERM SKINCARE
Only Taking Care of Your Skin When Something Goes Wrong
We call this the emergency skincare routine.
A breakout appears and suddenly we’re exfoliating, spot treating, masking, icing, picking, and applying every acne product in the house.
Then the breakout disappears and so does the skincare routine.
Your skin deserves attention when it’s behaving too.
Consistency is one of the most important parts of skincare. A simple routine that you actually follow is much more useful than an aggressive routine you only start when you’re unhappy with your skin.
Think of skincare as maintenance rather than damage control.
You don’t have to wait until your skin is freaking out to start taking care of it.
THE BETTER HABIT
Keep a manageable routine even when your skin is doing well. Think consistent care, not emergency fixes.
A NOTE FROM YOUR ESTHETICIANS
One Thing We Don’t Want You to Worry About
Please don’t ever feel like you need to apologize for your skin before coming in for a facial.
Don’t apologize for your acne.
Don’t apologize for your blackheads.
Don’t apologize for your hyperpigmentation.
Don’t apologize for facial hair, dry skin, oily skin, or sensitivity.
Don’t apologize because you haven’t had a facial in years.
And definitely don’t try to “prepare” for your appointment by attacking every pore the night before.
You are not expected to arrive with perfect skin.
You’re coming to an esthetician because you want to better understand and care for your skin. Our job isn’t to judge what your skin looks like when you walk through the door.
Our job is to understand it.
THE SKINVERSITY TAKEAWAY
Your Skin Doesn’t Need Perfection. It Needs Consistency.
Good skincare doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t need every trending product. You don’t need a 12-step routine. You don’t need to exfoliate your face into submission.
And you definitely don’t need perfect skin before you’re “allowed” to see an esthetician.
Start with the basics, be consistent, protect your skin from the sun, and choose products and treatments based on what your skin actually needs.
And when you’re not sure what it needs?
That’s where we come in.
PERSONALIZED SKINCARE IN CHICAGO
Let’s Find What Works for Your Skin
At Skinversity in Lincoln Park, Chicago, our treatments are customized because skin isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re dealing with acne, pigmentation, dryness, sensitivity, texture, signs of aging, or you simply want healthier-looking skin, we’ll help you figure out a routine and treatment plan that makes sense for you.
Not sure what to book? Start with our 45-minute Custom Facial and let your esthetician take it from there.
