Everyday Skincare Mistakes That Can Speed Up Ageing
1. Ignoring Sunscreen Protection
Skipping sunscreen is one of the most damaging skincare errors. UV rays penetrate the skin even on cloudy or cold days, leading to premature wrinkles, pigmentation, and reduced firmness. A broad-spectrum sunscreen should be part of every morning routine, all year round, to shield against these ageing effects.
2. Over-Exfoliating the Skin
Exfoliation removes dead cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin. However, overdoing it—whether through frequent scrubbing or using overly abrasive products—damages the skin's protective barrier. This can result in irritation, increased sensitivity, and thinning, which makes skin appear older over time. Gentle exfoliation, once or twice a week, is usually enough.
3. Forgetting Daily Moisturiser
Moisturising locks in hydration, maintains elasticity, and smooths the skin's surface. Skipping it leads to dryness, rough texture, and a tired look. Regardless of skin type, a suitable moisturiser helps prevent premature lines and keeps the skin supple and youthful-looking.
4. Sleeping With Makeup On
Going to bed without removing makeup clogs pores, traps dirt and pollutants, and disrupts the skin's natural overnight repair process. This not only increases the risk of breakouts but also accelerates ageing by reducing the skin's ability to regenerate effectively.
5. Being Harsh With Eye Cream Application
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, making it prone to fine lines. Rubbing or tugging this area while applying eye cream can deepen wrinkles. Instead, gently patting with the ring finger ensures minimal stress to the skin.
6. Using Harsh Skincare Products
Products containing high alcohol content or strong chemicals can strip natural oils, leaving the skin dry and irritated. Over time, this weakens the skin barrier, leading to faster ageing. Choosing gentle, hydrating formulas helps maintain balance and long-term skin health.
7. Neglecting the Neck Area
The neck often reveals age more quickly than the face due to its delicate skin and frequent exposure. Extending sunscreen and moisturiser to the neck prevents uneven ageing and helps keep the area smooth and firm.
8. Sacrificing Sleep
During sleep, the body repairs and regenerates skin cells. Chronic lack of rest leaves the complexion dull, increases dark circles, and reduces vibrancy, making skin appear older. Prioritising quality sleep is as essential to skin health as any topical treatment.
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Refinery29
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From LED face masks to full-body treatments that immerse the skin in red light, these devices have become skincare staples, promising to boost collagen, reduce acne and heal skin. ' Collagen sunbeds make no logical sense at all. Sunbeds that deliver UV radiation are harmful and cause skin cancers, full stop. Cloaking them as something good for your skin health is totally disingenuous. Dr Clare Kiely, consultant dermatologist ' Later, on the phone, it sounds like Crisiant is well aware of the dangers of regular sunbeds. She first tried one aged 18, but learning more about the risks put her off: 'If you [use] one now and then, I didn't think it'd be too bad, but I didn't want to do it consistently because I knew how dangerous they were,' she tells me. To Crisiant, red light tanning beds felt different — a little safer: 'It still gives you a tan while doing your skin good,' she says. 'I went on it once and noticed [a difference] within the same day. I had a really bad breakout on my face and it sort of soothed and cleared my skin. It was really strange as sunbeds have never done that for me before.' It also made her feel more confident. It's not hard to see why Crisiant thinks these machines are a safer, even beneficial alternative to regular tanning beds — and she's not the only one. But it highlights worrying misconceptions around red light sunbeds and their damage. Head to TikTok or Instagram, and you'll find countless videos posted by people who are convinced these beds can be used safely and that the risk of burning is lower. But that's not true. Combining red light with UV in a sunbed counteracts any of the potential benefits. Consultant dermatologist Dr Clare Kiely, cofounder of The Skin Diary, puts it plainly: 'Collagen sunbeds make no logical sense at all.' It is important to point out the differences between a red light-only bed and a sunbed that emits both UV and red light. 'Red light therapy without UV is a very different proposition,' confirms consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips. 'It is generally considered safe and may help with things like inflammation, wound healing and improving overall skin tone. However, the results do tend to be subtle and I always remind patients that it's not a quick fix.' Dr Beibei Du-Harpur, scientific engagement lead at The Skin Diary, agrees: 'More clinical evidence is needed to confirm the effectiveness [of red light] as a treatment for the skin, but there have been promising small studies from a skin ageing perspective.' The bottom line? On its own, red light is low-risk. But its popularity in skincare has made some see red light sunbeds as a good thing. ' Not only does UV increase your risk of skin cancer, it breaks down collagen — the very thing red light is supposed to help boost — and speeds up the skin's ageing process. In other words, any benefits of red light are immediately cancelled out by the UV. 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