What if some of your everyday habits are doing more harm than good? Believe it or not, certain skincare practices that seem harmless—or even helpful—can actually damage your skin over time.
1. Over-Cleansing Your Face
Why it’s bad:
Your skin has a natural barrier called the acid mantle, made up of sebum (your skin’s natural oil), sweat, and dead skin cells. This layer protects your skin from bacteria, pollutants, and moisture loss. When you cleanse too often — especially with harsh cleansers — you strip away this protective layer.
What to do instead:
Cleanse twice a day—morning and night—with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser. Look for ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to protect your skin barrier. Hyaluronic Acid is scientifically proven safe for all skin types.
Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + PGA Serum for Intense Hydration, Glowing Skin & Fine Lines
2. Using Too Many Active Ingredients at Once
Why it’s bad:
Layering multiple active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C without guidance can lead to irritation, redness, and even chemical burns.
What to do instead:
Introduce one active ingredient at a time and give your skin 1–2 weeks to adjust. Consult a dermatologist for a personalized routine.
3. Relying on DIY Skincare Remedies
Why it’s bad:
Lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste—these popular DIY “remedies” are often too acidic or alkaline, leading to burns, inflammation, or long-term skin damage.
Lemon juice is highly acidic and can cause chemical burns or severe dryness when applied directly to the face.
Baking soda is extremely alkaline and can strip your skin’s protective barrier, leading to sensitivity and redness.
Toothpaste contains ingredients meant for teeth—not skin—and can lead to inflammation, peeling, and breakouts.
What to do instead:
Stick to dermatologist-approved products with clinically tested ingredients. Natural doesn’t always mean safe—especially for your skin.
4. Skipping Sunscreen on Cloudy Days or Indoors
Many people believe sunscreen is only necessary during sunny outdoor activities, but that’s a myth. Up to 80% of UV rays can still reach your skin on cloudy days or through windows, accelerating aging and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
What to do instead:
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even if you’re indoors or it’s cloudy. Reapply every two to three hours if you’re outside or near windows.
Here is a popular Gel based sunscreen which is lightweight & have a non-greasy texture:
Deconstruct Gel based sunscreen for oily, combination, acne prone & normal skin
If you are looking for a sunscreen based on natural ingredients, try this one
QUENCH BOTANICS Bravocado Sunscreen Spf 50
5. Not Moisturizing Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Credit- Freepik
Why it’s bad:
Many people with oily or acne-prone skin think skipping moisturizer will reduce oiliness or prevent breakouts. In reality, this leads to dehydration, which can actually trigger your skin to produce more oil—making the problem worse.
What to do instead:
Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog pores. Look for gel-based or water-based options with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or green tea extract to hydrate without heaviness.
Here are some Moisturizers that have shown great results and ae gaining popularity among the GenZs:
QUENCH BOTANICS Mon Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel with 2% Niacinamide
Peau D’origine Korean Rice Water Ceramide Moisturizer with SPF 40
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