We all love a good skincare routine, but sometimes, no matter how little or how much we spend on glowing skin, things just don’t work out. For skincare to work, you need to make sure you are applying it correctly, using the right ingredients, and tailoring routines to your skin type. Especially when it comes to melanin-rich skin, using the wrong routine can mean more inflammation and hyperpigmentation. So, in this blog post, I will walk through 5 skincare mistakes you might be making as a brown girl like myself.
Skincare Mistake #1: Not Washing Your Face for Long Enough
Not washing your face for long enough might just be the most critical skincare mistake you are making in your skincare routine. If you don’t let the cleanser work to clean the oils and dirt that have accumulated on your skin, no other product is going to be able to work effectively either.
Skincare Mistake #2: Not Applying Skincare in the Right Order
Think about it. If you make the skincare mistake of putting on your thick moisturizer and then following up with a serum, you are not going to get any of those beautiful serum ingredient benefits. The best way to avoid this skincare mistake is to apply your products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. In the complete world of skincare, that routine would be a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, (sunscreen), oil, and balm. You don’t need all of these steps, but this is just to paint a picture.
Skincare Mistake #3: Using Too Many Active Ingredients
Trying to layer too many active ingredients all at once is a skincare mistake you want to avoid. This could be vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and so many other ingredients. For the most part, don’t layer more than one active ingredient in a skincare routine. This means in the morning I stick to vitamin C and in the evenings I use an exfoliating acid or retinol. When products are formulated with multiple active ingredients, they are typically okay to use, but don’t go doing your own DIY thing.
Skincare Mistake #4: Using the Same Products Year Round
Our skin changes from season to season depending on the weather, environment, and stresses we might be going through. As a result, you might be making a skincare mistake if you have the same skincare routine year-round. In the summer, we can typically opt for lighter-weight products when the humidity is doing things for us. In the winter, when the heater creates an incredibly drying environment, you might need more hydrating products. In the summer, you might face more hyperpigmentation when the sun is harsher, whereas in the winter it might be flakey dryness. So, try changing up your routine with the climate seasons and see if it works better for you.
Skincare Mistake #5: Using Ingredients Too Harsh for Brown Skin
Skincare for brown skin needs to be a little different. If we make the skincare mistake of using ingredients too harsh for our skin, it can lead to more dark spots and hyperpigmentation which is the last thing we need. Don’t go for the stronger retinol and exfoliating acids because these can cause inflammation that leads to hyperpigmentation. Instead of using glycolic acid for your AHA, try out lactic acid. Start with a gentle over-the-counter retinol before opting for something like tretinoin. Remember, even toned skin is youthful skin, and the best thing we can do as brown girls, is reduce skincare reactions as much as possible.
Final Thoughts
Let me know if you have made any of these skincare mistakes before because I know I have. But, you live and you learn. I hope you found this blog post to be helpful and comment below if you learned something new!
With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.
