The Biggest Skincare Mistakes People Make According to The Experts

Impulse buying while doom scrolling has got to be the biggest marketing flex created. It’s a no-brainer and ALWAYS works. Personally, I can’t even begin to tell you how many products have been bought this way. My biggest weakness however is undoubtedly skincare. There is a product for everything. What about the mantra, ‘less is more,?’ Is that true when it comes to skincare? The experts seem to think so!

One of the latest trends, “serum cocktailing”, is taking the beauty industry by storm. Serum cocktailing is where people combining two or more serums to form their own unique concoction and load up on the benefits. This can not only be pretty pricey, but it can be harmful to your skin and cause more harm than good.

Unless you’re a certified esthetician or a dermatologist, figuring out which products are best is not an easy task. The beauty industry is literally overflowing with products that’s why we are leaving this one to the experts!

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Anna Efetova

Finding the perfect balance is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. We went to the experts on our most pressing questions when it comes to skincare and seasons. Sam Pang of SkinSpirit at Lasky and Andrea Ghigliazza-Lembkey, owner and esthetician at Dermaplus Skin + Body (@dermaplus) a skin boutique in San Francisco to dish on best practices.

“There is truth to the phrase "less is more" especially when it comes to your skin,” states Ghigliazza-Lembkey states. “Focus on a few key, quality products that are customized to your skin goals and concerns. Find an Esthetician to help you select a custom fit routine.”

Keep reading to learn how you can approve your skincare routine, according to the experts.

Identify LA: Biggest beauty mistake people make when it comes to skincare (ex: over-exfoliating) and what would you recommend?

Sam Pang: Not washing your skin before bed. Throughout the day we sweat, we may wear makeup and are exposed to pollution and dirt which can cause our skin to become congested if we don't give our faces a good clean at the end of the day. I recommend cleansing the skin twice a day, morning and night, and before/after a sweaty workout. Breakouts can form when our pores become blocked by sweat, oil, dirt.... The best action is prevention and the first step is to keep our skin clean. 

IDLA: Can you give one tip for taking care of your skin as we transition from Winter to Spring?

SP: While sunscreen is necessary all year round, especially in California, it is even more critical now that we are getting ready for warmer weather and more opportunities to adventure outside. For the best protection and healthiest for your skin, I recommend a sunscreen that has a SPF of 30 or greater and contains only physical sunscreens which are: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These sunscreens sit on top of the skin allowing UV rays to bounce off which is less inflammatory and better suited for those with sensitive skin. Physical suncreens have a reputation of leaving behind a whitish color, but newer brands have developed products that blend beautifully.

Photo Courtesy of Sephora

IDLA: What's one beauty must have regardless of the season?

SP: Sunscreen is a clear winner, but another must have product that compliments sunscreen is a good antioxidant. What is an antioxidant? Topical Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to our cells and tissue that we encounter every day as we continue to age and expose ourselves to environmental stressors ( i.e. UVA, UVB, pollution, blue light). Oxidative damage can cause photo damage, wrinkles, Melasma, some skin cancers and other inflammatory skin diseases. 

To prevent and protect I recommend in the morning applying an antioxidant followed by physical sunscreen and seek out shade or wear a wide brim hat. 

Ghigliazza-Lembkey agrees! “SPF! Rain or shine, cloudy or blue skies...your skin needs to be protected. UVA rays, which are the most damaging - known as aging rays, have the longest wavelength and can penetrate through the thickest cloud barrier,” she shares.

IDLA: Over the past years, we have seen an increase to face rollers. What is the correct way to use a roller and what are the benefits?

Courtesy Photo

AGL: Ice Rollers are the best thing to happen to our skin! This type of cold tool, like our La Glace Skin Roller, has a chilled cylindrical drum that rolls seamlessly over the skin. Cryotherapy (ice therapy) for the skin works to calm inflammation, lock in moisturize, depuff the skin, heal acne and so much more. The best part? There is no wrong way to use it! The key is to roll over clean skin. You simply pull your roller out of the fridge and glide it along the skin, working in upward and outward motions. Bonus points if you roll over a cooling face mask! Keep rolling until your skin feels invigorated and chilled to the touch. A cooler temperature of the skin is a characteristic of healthy skin!

Are you guilty of any of these ‘mistakes’? Let us know in the comments!