After 15+ years as a licensed esthetician in Westlake, I've seen just about everything in my treatment room. And I say this with love: some of you are sabotaging your own skin without realizing it. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Here are the most common skincare mistakes I see from clients in Austin and Central Texas, along with what to do instead.
Table of Contents
- Over-Cleansing Your Face
- Skipping SPF on "Indoor" Days
- Using Too Many Actives at Once
- Applying Products in the Wrong Order
- Ignoring Your Neck and Chest
- Picking at Your Skin
- Not Adjusting for Seasons
- FAQ
Over-Cleansing Your Face
This is the number one mistake I see. People think that if their skin is oily, breaking out, or just not looking great, the answer is to wash it more. Three times a day. With something strong. Maybe even using a cleansing brush on top of that.
Here's what actually happens: you strip your skin's natural moisture barrier, your skin panics, and it produces even more oil to compensate. You end up oilier, more irritated, and more breakout-prone than when you started.
Twice a day is all you need. Morning and night. Use a cleanser that's effective but not aggressive. Our Bright & Early Cleanser gets the job done without leaving your skin feeling tight or stripped.
Skipping SPF on "Indoor" Days
I will never stop talking about this one. "I didn't go outside today" is not a reason to skip sunscreen. UVA rays come through windows. Your car windshield, your office windows, even the light coming through your living room. If you can see daylight, UV is reaching your skin.
In Austin, where the UV index is elevated for most of the year, this matters even more. Our Solar Shield Tinted SPF takes 30 seconds to apply and protects you all day for normal indoor exposure.
Using Too Many Actives at Once
Social media has made this one so much worse. Someone sees a video about vitamin C, retinol, AHAs, BHAs, niacinamide, and peptides, and suddenly they're layering all six in one routine. Their skin is red, irritated, peeling, and they can't figure out why.
More actives does not mean better skin. Your skin barrier can only handle so much at once. A solid routine with 1 to 2 well-chosen actives will outperform a 12-step routine that's overwhelming your skin every single time.
If you're not sure where to start, a vitamin C serum in the morning (like our VC Serum) and a retinol at night (like Retinol Mafia) covers an enormous amount of ground. Add a peptide serum like Supernal Serum on your retinol off-nights and you've got a complete anti-aging strategy.
Applying Products in the Wrong Order
Product order matters more than people realize. The general rule is thinnest to thickest consistency. If you're putting your moisturizer on before your serum, the serum can't penetrate properly. If you're applying SPF before your moisturizer, neither is doing its best work.
Here's the standard order:
- Cleanser
- Toner (if you use one)
- Serums (thinnest first)
- Moisturizer
- SPF (morning only, always last)
At night, swap SPF for your treatment product (retinol, peptide serum, etc.) and finish with moisturizer.
Ignoring Your Neck and Chest
Your face doesn't exist in isolation. The skin on your neck and chest is thinner and shows aging faster than the skin on your face. But so many people stop their routine right at the jawline.
Everything you put on your face should go on your neck and upper chest too. Cleanser, serum, moisturizer, SPF. All of it. I see clients who have beautifully maintained facial skin and a neck that tells a completely different story. Don't be that person.
Picking at Your Skin
I get it. There's a breakout, and every instinct says to squeeze it. But picking at your skin introduces bacteria, causes inflammation, and almost always leads to scarring or dark spots that take months to fade. In some cases, those marks become permanent.
If you have a stubborn breakout, use a spot treatment. If it's a recurring issue, come see me. Professional extractions done in a controlled environment are worlds apart from what happens when you go at it in your bathroom mirror.
Not Adjusting for Seasons
Your skin's needs change with the weather, and in Central Texas, our weather changes dramatically. The thick cream that saved your skin in January will suffocate it in July. The lightweight routine that worked all summer won't cut it when the dry winter air hits.
I recommend my Austin clients do a routine check at least twice a year. Swap to lighter products as humidity rises and bring back richer formulas when things dry out. Our Extreme Sheer Moisturizer is perfect for warmer months, while Firm Believer gives you the deeper hydration you need in cooler weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm over-cleansing?
Signs include tightness after washing, redness, increased oiliness (your skin overcompensating), flaking, and a stinging sensation when you apply other products. If any of that sounds familiar, scale back to gentle cleansing twice a day.
How many actives is too many?
For most people, 2 to 3 well-chosen actives is plenty. If your skin is constantly irritated, red, or peeling, you're likely using too many. Simplify and let your barrier recover.
What's the most important product in a skincare routine?
Sunscreen. Without question. It protects the investment you're making with every other product. Nothing else works as well if sun damage is undoing it daily.
Is it okay to pop a pimple if it has a visible white head?
I strongly recommend letting a professional handle extractions. If you absolutely must, use clean hands, gentle pressure, and stop immediately if it doesn't come easily. Forcing it causes more harm than leaving it alone.
Should I see an esthetician even if my skin is "fine"?
Absolutely. Regular facials maintain skin health, catch issues early, and optimize your routine. Think of it like going to the dentist. You don't wait until something hurts to go.
Most skincare mistakes come from good intentions and bad information. The fix is almost always simpler than you think: cleanse gently, protect from the sun, don't overdo the actives, and adjust with the seasons. Your skin will thank you.