Ask A Clinician: Common Skincare Mistakes

Authors: Maryam Ali and Zainab Alebiosu, Pharmacist Clinicians at Skin + Me

So, you’re ready to step up your skin game but you don’t know where to start. As Pharmacist Clinicians here at Skin + Me, we review hundreds of consultations every day, so we see and hear it all. 

Here at Skin + Me, we want to make your skin journey as simple and straightforward as possible. The road may be bumpy, but the key is patience. We offer evidence-based approaches to healthy, glowing skin and we want you to feel confident every step of the way. 

So, whether you’re a total novice or a skincare superfan, we’re here to share some common mistakes and how to avoid them on your Skin + Me journey.

Complicated skincare routines

We’ve all been there. Your skin breaks out and you throw every leftover tube you have at home at it. While it’s tempting to overload your skin in hope of a solution, don’t do it. Less is more – true in life and in skincare.

Get to know your skin and listen to it. Mechanical exfoliative, brushes, facial wipes, multiple serums and harsh actives will sooner result in dry, angry and irritated skin. 

In our experience, the key to glowing skin is simplicity. Start with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave your face dry and tight, followed by a hydrating moisturiser. Be mindful, you don’t want an oily mixture which can clog your pores. Then sunscreen – choose one you love to use, so you remember to apply it every day. If you need a little help with acne, fine lines, rosacea or pigmentation, add on a Dermatologist-recommended treatment – like the Skin + Me Daily Doser – to help you achieve your best skin. 

Using the wrong active ingredients (at the wrong time)

Flashback to just 10 years ago, when getting gold standard formulations would’ve involved hundreds of pounds and a visit to a Harley Street Dermatologist. Today, you can get a personalised formulation delivered to your door easily and affordably. 

Nonetheless, it’s important to know and understand what they contain, how they work and how to support your skin with a healthy routine to minimise irritation. This is why here at Skin + Me, we will select the right ingredients for your skin and goals. Our Dermatology Support Team is on hand to answer any questions you have, and you can contact your Pharmacist Clinician at any time for advice about using actives or to request a reformulation. 

Most importantly, your skin should be in a suitable place to be able to tolerate treatment. Wait until there are no scabs or bruises, your skin has fully recovered from any cosmetic procedures, and there are no flare-ups of dry skin conditions such as eczema.

Stopping during the purge

Prescription treatments, such as tretinoin, work by increasing skin cell turnover to replace older skin with newer skin. It will also unclog your pores, so you may experience breakouts when you first start using it – this is known as purging.

While it may feel and look like your skin is getting worse, purging is actually a good thing! It’s a sign that the treatment is working and should usually only last the first few weeks of treatment, so if some extra spots are popping up then you should keep going. 

You can also experience irritation, which is common with prescription-strength formulations, so don’t panic! If your skin feels unhappy then stop your treatment and get in touch with your Pharmacist Prescriber, who can advise you on what to do next and amend your formulation accordingly. Remember, higher strengths don’t always lead to better outcomes. 

Forgetting your skin type

Skincare is not a “one size fits all” – everyone’s skin is different and has different needs depending on their skin type. Knowing your skin type will help you identify what products are best suited for you. There are four main skin types, and the majority of people can be categorised in the following:

• Dry
• Oily
• Normal
• Combination

We often see people with dry skin using products that may not be appropriate for them. For example, using exfoliative and irritant products such as AHAs and BHAs, may be too harsh and can cause irritation and damage the skin’s barrier. 

Similarly, using products containing comedogenic ingredients such as oils may clog pores and cause an acne flare-up in people with oily skin. Always look out for products to support your skin type, and ensure they are suitable for you. 

Stopping when you’ve achieved your goals

Congratulations! What exciting news. It might be that your breakouts have now cleared, or you have improved your skin texture. Many people stop using their personalised treatment when they’ve reached their skin goals, however, this might mean that your progress isn’t maintained. 

We advise you to get back in touch with us once you’ve achieved your skin goals. This way we can amend your treatment plan if necessary – remember, daily use of your treatment helps your skin to boost collagen and keep it healthy and glowing. The more consistent you are, the better your results will be! 

The bottom line

Implementing a consistent and well-rounded skincare routine can help you achieve and maintain healthy skin. Here are our key takeaways when it comes to skincare:

1. Understand your skin type – This is essential for choosing the right products and treatments for you.
2. Use gentle cleansers – Avoid harsh cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Opt for a non-irritating cleanser that will leave your skin hydrated morning and evening. 
3. Protect with sunscreen – Shielding your skin from harmful UV rays is vital for your skin’s health. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, like Daily Defence Oil-free SPF50 Sunscreen, every two hours. This is true for any time of the year, even if you’re not going outside.
4. Strip back your skincare routine – And just use a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen and the active ingredients from your Daily Doser.
5. Be consistent and patient – Achieving noticeable results takes time and patience. Stick to your skincare routine and give it time to work, unless of course you’re experiencing any side effects.

By being aware of common skincare mistakes and ways to avoid them, we can optimise our skincare efforts and achieve the skin we dream of.