This post was written by Angela Henderson and Published on

You may think that your facial routine is making your dream of flawless skin come true, however, it could actually be doing more harm than good. So, it’s time you learned about the 9 big no’s that you should be avoiding if you want clear skin.

Don’t overdo it on drying ingredients

The myth is that drying ingredients such as sulphur, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are good for drying up pimples. But in reality, these ingredients are usually highly irritating and drying for your skin – especially if they’re in all your products. If you find your skin drying out, try a product without these aggressive ingredients.

Don’t flip products

Sometimes when we’re not seeing the results we want from a product, we’ll switch to another after a week. Firstly, unless your skin is negatively reacting, you’re going to have to give the product some time to work with your skin. But, you want to keep your products and routine simple: cleanser, non-alcoholic toner, moisturizer, spot treatment – that’s it.

Don’t pick at your face

Your mother may have told you not to pick at your face and you probably rolled your eyes at her, but she was right. Do not pick at your face. It’s hard not to pick, so if you do pick at your pimples, then be prepared to properly treat them to prevent scarring. Use vitamin E oil or Neosporin, they work well. Or, you could not pick your face.

Don’t exfoliate

The myth is, is that if you exfoliate, you’re removing bacteria and opening your pores so that your skin can breathe and heal. Llisten, scrubbing your face raw with an exfoliatant isn’t going to help. In fact, you’re actually just spreading the bacteria around which will cause more breakouts and irritation. Stay away from abrasive facial scrubs.

Don’t overwash your face

You washing your face thirty times a day to get rid of your pimples is doing more harm than good. You’re probably thinking that you’re removing bacteria from your face but you’re really just removing layers of your epidermis. This actually makes your skin dry and irritated. You only need to wash your face twice a day: morning and evening.

Don’t clog your skin with makeup

We know that when you have a breakout or a pesky pimple, you want to cover that up with loads of foundation and concealer. It makes complete sense. However, applying foundation and concealer to your breakouts actually aid in preventing your skin from its natural renewal process. This process is what heals your skin and vanishes your pesky pimple. So, if you are going to wear makeup, make sure that it’s light converage over top so that your skin is able to complete its natural cycle which will help you in the long run.

Stay away from fragrances

The rose scented moisturizer probably smells delightful, however, that isn’t helping your skin out. Don’t go for a cream simply on its scent. If you do, you’ll end up with products that are low quality and will do more harm than good to your skin. Fragrance is a huge factor in dermatitis, which is a condition where your skin is itchy and red. So, it’s best to find products which are fragrance-free or use minimal/natural fragrances.

Don’t skip out on the SPF

You may think that because it’s cloudy, you don’t need to wear sunscreen, but you’re wrong. UV rays from the sun can quickly age skin, something you don’t want. So, whether it’s cloudy or sunny, you want to make sure that you’re wearing an SPF no lower than 30. You’ll thank us when your skin isn’t covered in sunspots, sagging skin and enlarged pores. Make sure that you re-apply your sunscreen throughout the day.

Don’t go for price

This is your skin that we’re talking about. It’s your body’s shield and the first thing people see. Don’t go for products based on a celebrity that uses it or because it’s cheap. Invest some money into getting yourself a high-quality facial wash, cleanser and moisturizer. You may think that you’re saving yourself some money, however, you’ll notice the backlash of that when you’re older. Just because the packaging is bright and shiney, doesn’t mean you have to buy it.

Now that you know the big no’s for having flawless skin, adpat these rules to your daily facial routine. You’ll notice a big change in your skin and you’ll be one step closer to having a radiant glow.