6 Skin Care Mistakes Dermatologists Want You to Stop Making

With so many skin care products out there—and influencers convincing us we need an hour-long morning regime—it’s easy to overdo it or choose products that don’t gel together. “People get all of these recommendations from social media, and they come into the office and there’s 20 things they’re using in the morning or evening,” Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, tells SELF. Her advice: “Stop overcomplicating your routine.”

When you use a ton of products, there’s a good chance that some steps just aren’t necessary (or might even irritate your skin). If you’re ready to reassess your lineup, experts recommend focusing on quality over quantity, which means finding the best products for your skin type and using them correctly. We asked dermatologists about the most common mistakes they see patients making and how to correct them. Below, we’re diving into how to get the most out of your routine (while being kind to your skin!).

1. You don’t use moisturizer because you have acne.

No matter which skin type you have—oily, dry, or somewhere in between—you need moisturizer, even if you’re acne-prone. “Acne patients think that they can’t use moisturizer because it’s going to make them break out,” Gabriella Vasile, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Réforme Dermatology and Aesthetics in Charleston, South Carolina, tells SELF. “We want them using [moisturizer] because it will contribute to a healthier skin barrier. When they don’t use it, they just get a drier, fractured skin barrier, and that leads to more breakouts.”

What to do instead: If you’re worried about your moisturizer feeling greasy or causing congestion, Dr. Vasile recommends trying a lightweight one like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost. “It absorbs really easily, so it doesn’t feel thick,” she says. “A lot of my acne patients have oily skin and they want something that’s not going to add more oil or shininess.” Its star ingredient, hyaluronic acid, helps your skin retain moisture so it stays hydrated and plump.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, we recommend trying the SELF 2024 Healthy Beauty Award–winning Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer. “It made my skin look like itself on its very best day, rather than shiny or greasy,” one tester wrote. “It’s the perfect pre-makeup daytime moisturizer, and I was genuinely excited to use it every morning.”

2. You use products that contain natural or synthetic fragrances.

As nice as it can be to slather on a cream that smells fruity or sweet, that appealing scent could also be the reason why your skin is irritated. Added fragrance can cause rashes and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema, especially if you have sensitive skin.