8 Skincare Mistakes That Are Aging You Faster
Continue reading to discover the top skincare mistakes that might be aging you!
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With the number of skincare products lining my bathroom counter, I’d have it all figured out by now.
I’ve tried just about everything: cleansers, serums, devices, masks, etc. But the longer I do this, the more I’m convinced that great skin isn’t just about what you use. It’s about how you live.
As I get older, I’m okay with the fact that my skin is changing. That’s life. But I also take good care of it and want to hold on to what I can.
That means paying attention to the everyday habits that don’t come in a bottle but make just as much of a difference. Some of them are easy to overlook. Some took me way too long to figure out. All of them matter.
Why Skin Ages and What’s Actually Happening Beneath the Surface
As you get older, your skin changes. It becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic. Collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth, start to break down faster than your body can rebuild them. That’s when you start to notice fine lines, dullness, and a loss of firmness.
Hormones shift, too, especially around perimenopause and menopause. Oil production slows down, and skin can feel more sensitive and not recover as easily as it once did. Add in years of sun exposure, and the damage adds up because UV light weakens the skin’s structure, disrupts tone, and contributes to uneven texture and pigmentation.
The more you understand what causes these changes, the easier it is to adjust your routine.
Here are the habits I’ve had to shift because they were quietly working against me.
Common Skincare Mistakes
1. Not Reapplying Sunscreen
UV rays are one of the biggest reasons skin ages faster, and yes, they still hit your skin through windows and on cloudy days.
I’m consistent about wearing SPF every morning, but I used to skip reapplying because, honestly, it wasn’t convenient. I wear makeup, and layering a cream on top felt like a mess.
What helped was switching to SPF mists and powders. They’re quick, don’t mess up your face, and make it easier to stay protected throughout the day.
I am PICKY, though, on my sunscreens. It can’t be heavy, greasy, or smell too sunscreen-y. Here are the two I keep on hand:
- Vacation Spray Mist: I will always have this for the smell alone! It smells amazing and is super lightweight.
- Colorscience SPF Powder: I haven’t actually used this (yet) but I have the Colorescience brush on powder. The brush on it isn’t the best so I have to dump the powder in these containers from Amazon. This pressed powder could be a better option!
2. Overloading on Active Ingredients
For a while, I was proud of how consistent I was. I had a solid skin cycling routine in place: retinol one night, moisture the next, glycolic acid the next, and vitamin C every morning.
I felt like I was doing everything right.
But after a while, my skin felt tight and looked dull. It was not reacting badly, but it definitely was not recovering. I realized I needed more space between actives so my skin could actually repair itself.
Now I use gentle products and pay closer attention to what my skin needs that day. Sometimes less really does work better.
Here are my favorite actives that don’t irritate my skin:
- Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid: I talk about this stuff all the time. Gentle, effective, and inexpensive! I use it all over my body. It also helps to gently get rid of flaky skin.
- RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Wrinkle Night Serum: These little capsules are super effective and moisturizing. Also great for travel!
- Naturium Vitamin C Complex Face Serum: I rotate my Vitamin C frequently and recently tried this. It has vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, which are hydrating for the skin.
Related: How to Layer Serums: The No-Nonsense Guide to Combining Actives
3. Picking At Your Skin
I have a love / hate relationship with my 10x magnifying mirror. Inevitably, I’d catch myself squeezing pores or blemishes I had no business messing with. Don’t do it!
Picking at your skin can lead to long-term damage, such as scarring, dark spots, and broken capillaries. Over time, it also slows down your skin’s ability to heal, which becomes more noticeable as you age.
Now I’ve learned to leave it alone and cover breakouts with something that actually helps. I keep a box of Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Patches on hand and let them do the work. I have these on my Amazon subscribe and save I love them so much!
4. Overdoing Botox
For a while, I followed a strict schedule, getting Botox every 3 to 4 months like clockwork. It kept my forehead smooth, but I didn’t realize that too much too often could have the opposite effect.
When facial muscles are constantly frozen without a break, they can weaken over time, which may lead to sagging or laxity. Now, I space my treatments every 4 to 6 months and use my NuFACE device in between to keep my muscles active and supported.
5. Constant Screen Exposure
I didn’t think blue light mattered until I started reading more about oxidative stress and pigmentation (full study: here). Apparently, too much screen time leads to increased skin pigmentation. Now, I take breaks and use antioxidants and red light therapy in the morning to help support my skin.
Screen time is inevitable. Here are the things I’m trying to protect my skin:
- Red Light Therapy Mask
- Ocushield Anti Blue Light Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- Honest Beauty Daily Green Juice Antioxidant Super Serum: affordable and feels great on the skin!
6. Eating Too Much Sugar and Not Enough Fiber
Did you know your skin can reflect your digestion? When I eat too much processed food and not enough fiber, my skin looks puffy and breaks out more. Cleaning up my diet always makes a visible difference.
Fiber also helps keep you regular, which is key for supporting your body’s natural detox process. When things aren’t moving well internally, they often appear externally through dullness, congestion, or random breakouts.
Research has also shown that diets high in sugar and low in nutrients can accelerate skin aging by increasing inflammation and weakening collagen. What you eat matters as much as what you put on your skin.
Related: The 12 Most Powerful Anti-Aging Superfoods for Women Over 40
7. Not Moving Enough
When I stopped exercising regularly, my skin started to look dull and sluggish. Getting blood flow going again, even with a quick walk, helped bring some life back into my face.
Regular movement improves circulation and supports your lymphatic system, which helps clear out toxins and waste. When that system slows down, your skin can look congested or tired.
Exercise also helps reduce inflammation, improves oxygen delivery to the skin, and supports collagen production over time. You do not need intense workouts – just moving consistently makes a visible difference.
If you want a simple, 3 day a week routine that you can stick to, check out: Fit Forever Method: 8-Week Body Transformation Program. I designed this specifically for busy women that need an effective routine without spending hours in the gym!
8. Sleeping on Your Side Every Night
I’ll admit it—I’m a side sleeper, and I’m not planning to change that anytime soon. But I can already see the effects.
My left eye has visible crow’s feet, while the right side looks smoother. I also notice chest lines some mornings that take a while to fade.
It seems minor, but sleeping with your face pressed into a pillow for hours can create creases that eventually stop fading. Over time, side and stomach sleeping can lead to fine lines around the eyes, cheeks, and chest, which ages you.
A silk pillowcase can help reduce friction, but your sleep position might be part of the problem if you see asymmetrical lines or chest creases.
I’ve been trying to focus on this. Here are some things that are helping:
- Slip Silk Pillowcase: I’ve used this one for years. Does it make a huge difference? Hard to say, but I still swear by it. It feels luxurious, and silk is known for being gentler on skin and hair than cotton. At the very least, it helps reduce friction and doesn’t leave those deep sleep lines.
- Chest Pillow: I tried those silicone chest pads everyone raves about, but they just slid off in the middle of the night. I’m a sweaty sleeper, so that was a no. The chest pillow works a little better. And on nights I can’t be bothered, I just throw on a lightweight bralette and wedge a pair of socks in the middle. Not glamorous, but it gets the job done.
Avoiding These Skincare Mistakes
A good skincare routine is important, but your daily habits matter just as much. Small changes can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.
Pay attention to what your skin is telling you, and adjust as you go and take small steps to avoid these common skincare mistakes!
What are your best tips for keeping your skin looking its best? Tell me, and come join me on Pinterest 🙂
