Let’s go over a few habits that might be getting in the way of our skincare—and how to turn them around.
To be completely honest, I don’t really like the word “mistake” when it comes to skincare. I see it more as this: as our knowledge about the skin and how it works increases, we find ways to use our cosmetics more effectively.
1. Cleansing: More is not better
Since I have dry skin, I personally wash my face very carefully with a gentle cleanser ones per day, just before my nighttime routine—and that’s it! In the morning, I leave the natural oils on my face untouched, as they are an important weapon for its protection. Believe me, I envy those of you who have slightly oilier skin types than mine! A more oily skin may need a gentle cleanser a second time during the day—and that’s enough.
Beyond that, I would only recommend the more “aggressive” types of cleansing (scrubs, masks) when and if your skin truly asks for it—even if that’s just a few times a year. Why? Because the outermost layer of our skin, which consists of dead cells, is our skin barrier. We’ve stressed its importance many times on our blog, and we’ll continue to do so. What matters here is this: the more frequent “attacks” we make with harsher cleansers, the weaker our skin barrier becomes.
2. “I don’t go out often, so I don’t need sunscreen”
We’ve already shared lots of information about UV radiation in our article on sunscreens. For now, let’s just repeat the essentials: Sunscreen is the most basic and most effective anti-aging cosmetic product we can own. The biggest skin problems derives from UV radiation—not from us getting older 😉
3. “I have oily skin, so I don’t need hydration”
This used to confuse me too in the past, since the old idea was that a “moisturizer” was mainly for older skin and was too “heavy.”
Let’s remember: For complete hydration, we need two types of ingredients—humectants (which bring water into the skin) and occlusives (which create a protective film to prevent water loss).
The natural oil our skin produces mainly plays the role of occlusives—meaning it still lacks humectants. Moreover, if we don’t hydrate oily skin, it really gets confused! It realizes it’s missing water and what does it do? Activates its defense mechanism and produces even more sebum!
So, what is the solution? Products with well-selected humectants that absorb quickly, along with very light occlusives. That’s exactly why the HELIOS serum was designed: A serum with 5 active ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier, provide complete hydration, and lead to radiant and supple skin. And the best part? It’s absorbed within seconds by every skin type!
4. Getting carried away and buying too many new products at once
I’ve fallen into this trap so many times! That’s why, in the KALYKA skincare line, we’ve chosen to keep prices stable, always offer favorable price bundles, but not follow seasonal discounts. I firmly believe that’s one of the reasons we’re often tempted into buying products we don’t really need.
If you want to improve your beauty routine, it’s wiser to change just one product, give it time to see how it performs, how it helps you, and then move on to a second. Someone might ask: “So I can’t change multiple products?” Of course you can! But to do it successfully, you’ll need a good knowledge of the ingredients so you can help your skin adjust to the new routine. It’s simply easier to go step by step.
5. “It’s not working, I’ll throw it away!”
This point follows naturally from the previous one (4) —and yes, I’ve fallen into this mistake many times too!
We get impatient. We use a product for two weeks, don’t see visible (mainly) results, and immediately buy something else. Here’s what helps to remember:
-
Skin’s natural renewal cycle takes about two months. There is absolutely no cosmetic product that can deliver permanent results in less time.
-
Hydration products can “show” some immediate effects—and that makes sense: They act on the epidermis by bringing in water, which temporarily softens fine lines and imperfections, giving that familiar plumping effect. Anti-aging products, however, work on the dermis (beneath the epidermis), where collagen and elastin are found. They take on a task that requires time—so patience is essential.
As I mentioned earlier, in skincare there are no absolute “rules” or “mistakes.” Of course, I’ve made plenty of mistakes in taking care of my own skin. I’ve overwashed my face and I’ve bought way too many products I didn’t need. Through all the reading and research I’ve done over the years about skincare, I wanted to share a few simple tips that I believe will be useful to you.
Also, take a look at the KALYKA skincare line! Our goal is to help you achieve more effective skincare with fewer products.