What's the worst skincare mistake you've made?

What’s the Worst Skincare Mistake You’ve Made?

Like many skincare enthusiasts, my journey to healthier skin hasn’t been without its pitfalls. If I had to pinpoint the worst skincare mistake I’ve made, it would be this: over-exfoliating my skin in the name of “glow.”

In the early days of my skincare obsession, I fell hard for the promises of radiant, glass-like skin. Social media was buzzing with chemical exfoliants—glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid—and I wanted the quick results everyone was talking about. So, I began using exfoliating toners and serums almost daily, sometimes even twice a day, believing more exfoliation meant faster transformation.

At first, it seemed to work. My skin looked brighter and felt smoother. But within a few weeks, things took a turn. My skin became red, tight, and overly sensitive. I started experiencing small, bumpy breakouts and dry patches around my mouth and nose. My once-balanced skin was now reactive and unpredictable.

The problem? I had stripped my skin barrier.

The skin barrier is your body’s natural defense system—a protective layer that locks in moisture and keeps out irritants and bacteria. Over-exfoliating, especially with strong acids and physical scrubs, can weaken that barrier, leaving your skin inflamed, dehydrated, and prone to breakouts.

Ironically, in trying to achieve glowing skin, I had done the opposite. I made my skin dull, irritated, and angry. It was a wake-up call that “more” isn’t always better, and that healthy skin is about balance, not aggression.

Recovering from this mistake wasn’t instant. I had to stop all exfoliants, retinoids, and actives for several weeks. I focused instead on barrier repair—using gentle, hydrating cleansers, rich moisturizers with ceramides, and layering in calming ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol. I also applied sunscreen religiously, as compromised skin is even more vulnerable to UV damage.

This experience taught me to be mindful of what my skin really needs, rather than what’s trending or “supposed” to work fast. Now, I limit chemical exfoliation to just 1–2 times per week, and I rotate between ingredients based on how my skin feels. I also prioritize rest days—what’s now commonly referred to as “skin cycling”—to give my skin time to repair and rebalance.

The takeaway? Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. Your skin doesn’t need harsh treatments every day to thrive. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simplify, listen, and support your skin rather than try to “fix” it constantly.

Over-exfoliation is one of the most common skincare mistakes—and one that’s easy to fall into. But with patience and a shift in mindset, it’s also a mistake you can recover from and learn a great deal in the process. My skin is now stronger, calmer, and happier—and I’ve never been more careful or conscious with my routine.