One minute you’re patting your sixth serum of the night, and the next you’re wondering why your skin feels like it has a personal grudge against you, we all can relate. You feel tightness, flaking, random breakouts, and that one weird red patch that won’t go away.
If your skincare routine has started feeling like a chore and your face is still mad at you, it might be time for a reset. Even the best routine needs a refresh from time to time.
Here’s how to tell your skin is waving a white flag.
Your Skin Feels Tight and Greasy
This confusing combination is a classic sign of over-cleansing or over-exfoliating. You’re stripping your skin’s natural oils to the point where it starts overproducing sebum. Sebum is the natural oil on your skin that helps protect it from bacteria and other harmful substances while offering hydration.
The result of that overproduction is an unusually shiny forehead and flaky cheeks. Try to slow down on using foaming cleaners and double exfoliation. Instead, try a gentle and hydrating cleanser and let your skin breathe for a bit.
You don’t have to be aggressive to get good results. Treat your skin with care, not just with products but with how you use them.
Your Lips Are Always Dry
If your skin feels greasy but your lips are dry, it’s a red flag that you’re ignoring something.
Sometimes, overusing flavoured or scented lip balms can actually make your lips drier. And if you’re putting on balms 10 times a day, despite seeing no results, it may be time to upgrade. For the best lip balm for dry lips, look for ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or lanolin.
Your lips are also part of your skin. Treat them gently and try to keep your lips healthy always.
You’re Using Multiple Products and Still Breaking Out
More products don’t always lead to better skin. In fact, the combination of active ingredients could be doing the exact opposite. Overlapping actives like retinol and vitamin C can irritate your skin if you’re not careful.
Redo your skincare routine by going back to the basics. All you need is a:
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- One active
Don’t make your skin barrier work overtime, or it will quit on you.
Random Redness or Burning Sensations
If your face tingles every time you apply a product, it’s probably not a sign of it working. It’s your skin telling you not to do it anymore.
Give your skin a break and rethink everything. Switch to products with no allergens or harsh chemicals, like:
- Fragrance-free moisturizer
- Non-stripping cleanser
- No actives for a week or two
Let your skin calm down before slowly reintroducing more products.
You’re Layering Too Much
Sometimes, we layer products out of habit. Using serum, essence, oil, moisturiser, and sleeping mask altogether might not be what your skin needs. Over-moisturising can clog pores and lead to dullness or congestion.
Take a day or two off all products except a gentle cleanser and moisturiser. Observe what your skin actually needs, and then build back up from there.
