5 Everyday Habits That Sabotage Your Skin (And How to Fix Them)

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After 8 years in the skincare industry, I’ve seen it all—expensive routines that don’t deliver, harsh ingredients that cause more harm than good, and everyday habits that quietly sabotage even the best skincare efforts.

If you feel like you're doing everything right but your skin still looks dull, dry, or irritated—don’t panic. Sometimes, it’s the simple, sneaky habits that make the biggest impact. Let’s break down 5 of the most common ones—and more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Over-Cleansing

Yes, cleansing is important. But over-cleansing (especially with harsh, foamy formulas) can strip your skin of its natural oils and totally wreck your skin barrier. This can leave your face tight, dry, and even more prone to breakouts.

Fix it:

Stick to cleansing just once or twice a day, max. In the morning, a gentle rinse with water is all you need. Your skin should be perfectly balanced overnight. If you plan to workout and sweat or get sweaty overnight that’s when you may want to use your cleanser in the morning. At night, I always recommend double cleansing with an oil-based cleanser first and a gentle cleanser second—especially one without sulfates or synthetic fragrance. Oil cleansing will breakdown any dirt, oil, sweat or makeup from the day. It also helps to balance your natural oils.

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For oily skin I recommend this one and this one.

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2. Not Drinking Enough Water

We focus so much on topical hydration that we forget about internal hydration. When you're dehydrated, your skin can look dull, feel rough, and even exaggerate fine lines. Think of it this way: your skincare is working uphill if your body’s thirsty.

Fix it:

Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day (more if you drink coffee or live in a dry climate). And don’t forget to eat your water—fruits like cucumbers, oranges, and watermelon also help hydrate from the inside out!

3. Stress (Yep, It Shows on Your Skin)

Chronic stress spikes your cortisol levels, which can lead to breakouts, inflammation, sensitivity, and even speed up signs of aging. Ever notice a new zit pop up after a stressful week? That’s not a coincidence.

Fix it:

You don’t need a full-blown wellness retreat (wouldn’t that be nice?!). Just 10 minutes of movement, breathwork, or time away from screens each day can help lower stress levels. And be kind to your skin during stressful times—gentle, healing ingredients make a big difference.

Oliveda’s olive leaf–based products contain hydroxytyrosol, a powerful antioxidant known for its calming, anti-inflammatory effects on stressed-out skin.

4. Using Harsh or Overactive Ingredients Too Often

Retinol, acids, scrubs—oh my. I cannot begin to tell you how often I saw this as an esthetician. This is definitely one where more is NOT better. While these ingredients can be great in moderation, overuse is one of the fastest ways to trigger redness, peeling, and skin sensitivity, and a disrupted skin barrier.

Fix it:

If your skin feels tight, flaky, or looks inflamed, take a break. Focus on rebuilding your barrier with soothing, antioxidant-rich formulas. Once your skin is balanced again, you can slowly reintroduce actives one at a time.

Switching to a waterless skincare routine—like Oliveda—means your skin gets only what it needs and nothing it doesn’t. No water, no filler, just high-performance botanicals.

5. Skipping Moisturizer (Even If You Have Oily or Acne-Prone Skin)

A lot of people still believe that oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t need moisturizer. But the truth is, skipping this step can actually trigger more oil production and leave your skin unbalanced. Hydration and oil are not the same. To read more about the difference check out this blog post.

Fix it:

Choose a lightweight, antioxidant-rich formula that hydrates without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like olive leaf extract, squalane, and hydroxytyrosol—they nourish the skin while helping calm inflammation and support elasticity.

✅ Oliveda’s moisturizers are waterless, meaning every drop is active—and your skin gets real hydration, not just a temporary fix.

Final Thoughts

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does need to be intentional. If you’re making any of these common mistakes, don’t stress. Small, consistent changes can lead to major improvements.

Ready to simplify your routine and give your skin exactly what it needs? Switching to a waterless, antioxidant-rich skincare line (like ours 😉) is the perfect place to start.

Your skin knows what to do—you just have to stop getting in its way. Want a customized skincare plan? Click here.