8 skin care fails you’re probably familiar with

If you ask me, maintaining a crystal clear, smooth complexion is a full-time job that’s fraught with peril.
One minute your skin is flawless, and the next it’s dry and scaly, red as a tomato, or breaking out big time.
Sometimes, all it takes is one fatal skin care fail. We’ve alllll been there...
RELATED: 9 sensational skin care hacks
1. You applied your make-up with a dirty brush
… and now your skin is breaking out, badly. Wash your brushes properly next time to avoid this sitch, and remember: Clean skin = clear skin!
The fix: It’s time to break out a deep cleansing gel such as DMK ACU-KLENZ to fight the acne-causing bacteria from your brush. Apply some Proactiv+ Clear Blemish Relief to those problem pimples for added measure!
RELATED: The best make-up brushes to use for every skin type
2. You over-exfoliated
Exfoliating is one of those grossly satisfying beauty rituals, but while sloughing away dead skin cells feels fabulous, over-exfoliation can lead to dry, flaky skin which is just, well, gross.
The fix: Treat your skin to a hydrating serum such as SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence to help repair the damage and strengthen your skin barrier. Oh, and try an exfoliating product that is formulated for regular use, such as Dermaveen Daily Nourish Facial Exfoliator.
RELATED: 6 effective ways to exfoliate your face
3. You skipped the sunscreen
You forgot to apply sunscreen, and all it took was one sunny autumn afternoon to unleash your inner lobster. Repeat after us: SPF is an absolute must, even on cold, cloudy days!
The fix: Switch to a hydrating body wash and lotion duo such as St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Wash and St. Ives Naturally Soothing Body Lotion featuring Oatmeal and Shea Butter, which are formulated to soothe dry, itchy skin. If it’s your face that’s flaming, try a face oil such as Native Australian Rosehip Oil which is formulated to protect, repair and improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin.
RELATED: Top 7 sunscreens for sensitive skin
4. You forgot to take your make-up off
We’ve all been there: You got home late last night and the last thing you remember is passing out cold (possibly still in your clothes). Unfortunately, your dull skin is a dead giveaway!
The fix: Use a cleansing oil such as Sanctuary Spa Youth Boosting Cleansing Oil or a micellar water such as Nivea Face Care Gentle Caring Micellar Water - Sensitive Skin to replenish your skin and take off the remaining make-up with minimal rubbing. If you’re feeling really guilty, treat your mug to a luxurious mask such as 7th Heaven Green Tea Peel-Off Masque to leave it looking re-energised and revived!
RELATED: What to do if you slept in make-up
5. You buried yourself in skin care steps
I’m all for thoroughness when it comes to caring for your complexion, but if you have more cleansers, masks and moisturisers than you know what to do with, you could have a problem. An elaborate routine doesn’t necessarily spell a better routine!
The fix: Simplify your skin care routine and say hello to a happier, healthier complexion. Top tip: Trade in your product haul for some two-in-one products such as Dove Cleanser & Toner in One – they’ll save you both time and space!
RELATED: 11 multitasking make-up must-haves
6. You didn’t test your new treatment
We are all for using active ingredients (especially for anti-ageing), but you applied them with wild abandon – and now your itchy, burny, blotchy face or bod is punishing you for it.
The fix: Go straight to the GP for some professional treatment advice and in future, always do a test patch for a new product to be safe. If you have particularly sensitive skin, consider consulting a skin care expert before using any peels or other invasive skin care treatments!
RELATED: bh’s Rosie’s sensitive skin saviours
7. You overwhelmed your eye area
Similarly to number six, using certain products on or around your delicate eye area can do more harm than good. Your irritated peepers are all the proof you need!
The fix: Always opt for products formulated especially for your eye area. Try Arbonne Easy on the Eyes Eye Makeup Remover to wipe away all traces of eye make-up without hurting your skin. For added hydration and anti-ageing benefits, try Elucent Eye Cream.
RELATED: All about eyes
8. You dry shaved
Naughty, naughty! You thought you were #winning by saving time, but that razor blade has given you a serious case of lizard legs. Your pins arguably looked hotter when they were hairy.
The fix: To help repair the damage, treat your legs to a soothing bath soak such as Billie Goat Intensive Moisture. In future, always use an emollient to act as a barrier between the blade and your skin (even if it’s just a glob of an affordable hair conditioner, such as Dove Damage Therapy Daily Moisture Conditioner).
RELATED: 4 things all girls who shave know
Have you experienced any of these skin care fails? What’s the worst skin care mistake you’ve ever made?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
141 Member Comments
i get so carried away when i have an abundance of new products i end up testing everything out and the next day ive broken out
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Maybe I will have to kick a few skincare steps off my morning routine! My worst mistake was burying my self in skincare.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Dry shave, never forget!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yep I think I over exfoliate :(
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Guilty of not washing my brushes enough or often. And confessing most nights I just pat on serum on my face after cleansing and skip the moisturiser
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Guilty of number 5 of late.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Guilty of not always using sunscreen and cleaning my brushes regularly
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Dry shaving ouch. I get red spotty rash
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I am guilty of not using sunscreen on my body.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
oops I may have done a few of these before ahh well learn from our mistakes
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm pretty sure I have committed all of these fails/beauty sins! I'm happy to say I am much better on the sunscreen front and always remove makeup-even if it is only with a wipe!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm now feeling very virtuous because I don't do any of the above!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've done all of these in the past! My worst was spear fishing all day without reapplying sunscreen on my face! I had the mask on the whole time covering my eyes and nose but by the end of the day my face was red!! Then I had teeny tiny little blisters all over . It took about a week for it to all peel! I felt so so bad for my poor skin haha awesome day tho! I have learnt my lesson haha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
3 always...waaah
Overexfoliating in past, quite often
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
The first 3 almost daily
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I am guilty of dry shaving a few times over the years but now I am too lazy to shave even with shave cream, lucky it's winter!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yes, so many steps in a skincare regime though isn't there?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'll think I've removed my eye makeup properly and then wake up with panda eyes. I hate that.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ha ha!!! I've done quite a few of these...
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Hahaha ... I've done them all ... except for the forgotten sunscreen one ... I never forget my SPF ... NEVER!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I think the worst thing was when I was a teen and worried about acne so I used very harsh drying products when I should have used gentle and caring. Im glad I taught my daughters not to do the same thing.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I did a few of things years ago (okay, most of them), but I have learnt my lesson since then!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don't dry shave but I am probably not creating enough of a barrier. I also should really spend more time looking after my legs and feet. I neglect that area a lot!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0