Remember when skincare was easy? Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Done. Now, we have all kinds of extra products. Exfoliants, serums, facial oils, clay masks, sheet masks… And who knows what will pop up next? But if you use them all, aren’t you overdoing your skincare? I mean, it’s not like skin really needs a 10-step routine. So, what happens if you use one product too many? Will it notice it and throw a tantrum? Or just ignore it?
Here’s the deal. Your skin doesn’t keep count of how many products you use. It doesn’t care. But, it’s how often you use them and, most importantly, what goodies or nasties they contain that can make all the difference and prove too much for your skin. And when that happens, your skin WILL let you know. It won’t be pretty. It may even be painful. But, how does it ring the alarm? Here are the three warning signs you’re overdoing your skincare:
1. Your Skin Is Dry
Did you know your skin has a shield? It’s a protective barrier that keeps moisture in and your skin well-hydrated. When this shield breaks in a few places, water evaporates. Skin becomes dry. Red. Irritated, even. There are plenty of things that can damage this shield. Like the usual culprits, UV rays and cold, freezing weather. Your skincare products, too. Well, not all of them. Most are fine. But there are some products that are best avoided:
- Any scrub (it’s 2020, why are you still using them?!)
- Anything with alcohol denat high up on the label (and no moisturising ingredients to restore the balance)
- Cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight after washing
Do your skin a favour and leave them on the shelf. Wait, there’s more. There are goodies that are well… good for you. In moderation. But, if you abuse them, they’ll damage your shield, too. Here are the goodies but naughties:
- AHAs (such as glycolic acid)
- Vitamin A (especially retinol)
These are powerful, my smart friend. Use them only two or three times a week. Also worth flagging: layering too many actives at once (like using a glycolic toner, followed by a retinol serum, topped with a vitamin C moisturizer) can be too much even if you use each product “correctly.” It’s the combo that fries your barrier. Your skin’s not a science experiment. Give it a break.
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you dry skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Related: How To Care For Dry Skin
2. Your Skin Is Irritated
Sometimes, a skincare product can irritate your skin or give you an allergy. Those with sensitive skin know what I’m talking about. Everything seems to set off their skin’s alarm. But, EVERYONE can have a bad reaction to a skincare product, especially if you abuse it. I’m mainly talking about exfoliants here.
I see so many women these days use glycolic acid, lactic acid, AND salicylic acid in their skincare routine! They’re using a different exfoliant every day and then wonder why their skin is so red and sensitive all of a sudden. Here’s the deal: dead cells are there for a reason. They protect the younger skin underneath that’s not ready to come to the surface yet. Expose it and there’ll be hell to pay.
As a rule of thumb, if after using something, your skin becomes red, inflamed, stings, or swells, ditch it immediately! The products and ingredients I mentioned in the dry skin section above are some of the common culprits to either avoid or handle with care. But, there are others.
Fragrance, essential oils, and even “natural” ingredients can mess with your skin, especially if it’s already irritated or compromised. Your skin doesn’t care how clean or organic something is. If it stings, it stings. Also, don’t forget sunscreen reactions. If your face feels itchy, hot, or red after applying SPF, it might be one of the filters. Chemical filters like oxybenzone can trigger irritation, especially in sensitive skin. Try switching to a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and see if that helps.
Not sure what ingredients can cause trouble for you? Download your FREE “Skincare Ingredients To Avoid” cheat sheet to find out:
Related: Skin Irritation: Cause & Prevention
3. Your Skin Breaks Out
Other times, you slather on a new moisturizer hoping it will make your wrinkles disappear and end up with a face full of pimples. Here’s how it works: oils, silicones, and other occlusive emollients form a protective barrier on your skin that keeps moisture in. But, together with moisture, it also traps in comedogenic ingredients. That is, if said moisturizer or anything else you’ve applied before has them. When that happens, it’s breakout galore!
So, just avoid the culprit, right? It’s not that easy:
- Faulty tests: Comedogenicity ratings aren’t that reliable.
- It depends on the dose: A little bit won’t give you any pimples, a lot will turn your face into a war zone.
- It depends on your skin type: If you’re prone to breakouts, you’re more likely to be affected.
FIY, if you’ve just started exfoliating, a breakout can be normal (it’s called a purge). If some pimples were forming deep within your skin, exfoliation will bring them to the surface of your skin faster.
Here’s how to stop it from happening again: pick ONE new product, check the ingredients, and test it on its own. That’s it. No mixing. No hoping. No chaos. Just you and that one product. If you break out, you’ll know exactly who the culprit is and you can kick it to the curb. If not, cool-you’ve got a keeper. Then (and only then) you try the next one.
Also, don’t trust “non-comedogenic” on the label. It means nothing. Literally. Flip the bottle and check the actual ingredients. Stuff like coconut oil, algae extract, cocoa butter, or isopropyl myristate? If you’re breakout-prone, they might not be your friends.
Bottom line: stop throwing five new products at your face and expecting it to behave. Take it slow. Build your routine one product at a time, and give your skin space to tell you what it likes.
Related: Purging VS Breakout: How To Tell The Difference And What To Do About It
How Many Products Is Too Many?
There’s no universal number. Some people thrive on 8 steps. Others break out after 4. It depends on your skin type, how active the ingredients are, and whether your skin actually needs what you’re giving it.
If your routine includes more than one exfoliant, more than one vitamin A product, or five different moisturisers “just in case,” it’s probably too much. You don’t get bonus points for effort. In fact, most of the time, fewer products = better skin.
Are You Using Too Many Actives?
Yeah, probably. Even if they’re all “good” for your skin. Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night, exfoliating every other day-it sounds like a solid routine, but your skin’s probably thinking, “What the hell is this lineup?” Especially if it’s already a bit sensitive or breaking out. Tight, flaky, stingy, or weirdly shiny skin? That’s not a glow. That’s your face telling you to back off.
You don’t have to quit everything forever, but slow it down. Pick one active (just one!) and space it out across the week. See how your skin feels. Then decide if it actually needs anything else or if you’re just bored and skincare shopping for sport.
The Bottom Line
Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. To avoid problems, introduce only one new product at a time into your skincare routine. That way, if your skin starts to act out, you’ll know what the culprit is. Sometimes, you only have to cut back. Other times, the bin is the only option.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
