10 Skin Care Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making

You go through your tried-and-true skin care routine every day to keep your face glowing and gorgeous. But what if you were doing things totally wrong and (yipes!) actually causing some of your skin concerns, like dryness, breakouts, and redness? Follow these easy tricks for pretty skin days ahead.

1. Multi-cleansing in the wrong order.

If you tend to wear a lot of makeup, especially long-wear foundation or a primer base, one-step cleansing may not be enough to get your skin completely clean. The key is to remove all traces of makeup without stripping skin in the process. The clean-skin cheatsheet: You actually need to double up on cleansing and do it in the right sequence. "If you're wearing a full face of makeup, including eye makeup, start with eye makeup remover, then use a cleansing wipe to gently remove most of your makeup," suggests Debra Luftman, MD, a dermatologist in Calabasas, California, and a member of the Simple skin care advisory board. Next, finish off with a gentle cleanser to take off any remaining gunk and residue.

2. Not applying your face wash correctly.

How and where you lather up matters. "You want to work the cleanser into your skin, moving from the inside of your face and outward using tiny circular motions with your index and middle fingertips," says Francesca Fusco, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Not only is that where the majority of your makeup is concentrated (like foundation and blush or bronzer), but you're also "pushing in the direction of lymphatic drainage so you reduce puffiness, too," says Dr. Fusco.

3. Not using a cleansing oil.

Oils are the new darlings of the skincare world — game-changers when it comes to cleansing as well as moisturizing. And while you might think all that oil will lead to breakouts, chill out: Natural oils won't sit on the surface of skin and actually help keep your skin clear and glowing. "Cleansing oils moisturize skin but don't leave residue behind on the skin's surface like how some face creams can," explains Dr. Luftman.

4. Overusing scrubs.

Even if you don't see any redness after your exfoliate, you could be harming skin below the surface. "Over time, rubbing and scrubbing too hard can lead to wrinkles, especially within the delicate skin surrounding eyes. It also exacerbates underlying acne," explains Julie Karen, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. "It can increase the shedding of skin cells, which then accumulate within pores, leading to blackheads and triggering even more breakouts." And those with acne tend to be the most overzealous when it comes to scrubbing, says Dr. Fusco. Use a gentle chemical-based exfoliant (one that contains acids like lactic or glycolic) twice a week , and skip harsh granules or micro-breads. Avoid the skin near your eyes, plus the skin right around your nose, too — your skin is unexpectedly sensitive there and irritation will basically make you look like Rudolph.

5. Not cleansing along your hairline or down your neck.

Think about it: You always apply foundation and sweep your bronzer along your forehead, high up on your cheeks, and down your neck for a seamless, natural-looking effect. So if you don't also cleanse in those areas, then all that makeup is still sitting on your skin overnight. Which, as you already know, can lead to acne. You may not want to ruin your blow dry or get your PJs wet, so skip classic rinse-off cleansers here and opt for a cleansing wipe instead. Once your done wiping your face, use a fresh one for your neck and hairline.

6. Not changing your pillowcase often enough.

"Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase can trigger acne or rosacea, especially in people who are prone to those conditions," says Dr. Karen. Flip your pillowcase after two nights so your skin then lays on the clean side; throw it in the wash two nights after that.

7. Skipping eye makeup remover.

You know you've done it: skimped on your cleansing ritual only to wake up in the a.m. with huge rings of mascara and eyeliner underneath your eyes. Makeup sits in your skin and gets imbedded into your pores (especially if you sleep on your side with your face nestled into your pillow), which can not only irritate skin but also lead to clogged pores, noticeable dryness, and fine lines. Look for formulas that can remove even long-wear eye makeup quickly.

8. Washing your face too many times.

"I see this in young women who have acne because they can't help it," Dr. Fusco says. "They keep washing their face several times in the morning and night, thinking it'll help their skin." But what you're most likely left with is red, blotchy, dry skin and even worse, more acne. If you can't resist the urge to cleanse, Dr. Fusco suggests skipping a foamy face wash, which has drying sulfates that create a creamy lather, and instead opting for a suds-free micellar water or a disposable towelette. Now, step away from the bathroom.

9. Forgetting to clean your eyebrows.

To create a perfectly defined brow, you're most likely reaching for a waxy brow pencil or brow kit. The problem? Regular face wash might not get in between hairs to wash the stuff away. Dr. Fusco suggests always using eye makeup remover, which is designed to quickly and easily remove long-wear makeup, on brows. "Let makeup build up in your brows and you could see brow dandruff over time," she warns.

10. Turning up the temperature.

"Too-hot water dries out your skin, making it increasingly prone to irritation, both from the products you apply after you wash and from the hot water itself," says Dr. Karen. Use barely-warm water instead, and try a cold-water rinse after you've washed off all the makeup remover residue. It helps tighten the appearance of pores, and let's be real, feels oh-so-good.

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