Creating this guide on what the top 3 skincare mistakes are to avoid. feels a bit like we’re having a private chat in my treatment room – the same comfy space where I’ve spent thousands of hours helping women figure out what’s going on with their skin. Many clients who come to The Facial Hub feel overwhelmed by the advice out there, especially when trying to create a skincare routine that works for their skin type.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of ingredients, treatments, and upcoming skincare trends in 2026, let me put your mind at ease – you’re not alone if your routine feels a bit of a disaster. I’m here to make it all a little more straightforward, to gently call out some of the marketing hype and help you avoid the three common blunders I spot every week in clinic – especially for those of you after the best facials in Brisbane to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin.
Contents
Routine Errors #1: Over-Exfoliating Your Skin Barrier
Now, who doesn’t want to get that coveted ‘glow’ look? The problem is, scrubbing and exfoliating your face into the ground won’t get you there. In Brisbane’s hot and humid weather, I see loads of clients come in looking tight, red and bumpy – all signs of a skin barrier that’s been battered to bits, courtesy of too many active ingredients and over-use of harsh acids or home exfoliators. And sometimes even when they book in for a skin needling in Brisbane, they’re convinced that going in with all guns blazing will deliver better results – when really, what their skin really needs is a break.
Why This Matters For Real Skin Health
Your skin isn’t a problem to be solved – it’s a living, breathing organ with layers that need to stay in one piece if it’s going to work correctly. When you strip away that protective barrier, all sorts of problems can arise – inflammation, sensitivity, breakouts, and pigmentation. Even the good guys like Vitamin A and C can be highly effective, but only if you use them sensibly and don’t mix with other active ingredients.
What I Often See In Clinic
Last month, I had a client come in who had been overdoing the chemical exfoliants and using a nighttime routine packed with conflicting serums. The result? Her skin lost its ability to retain moisture. Even a few simple tweaks, such as switching to a hydrating balm and addressing her pH levels, made a big difference in just a few weeks. To make things easier, I paired those changes with a hydrafacial at The Facial Hub in Brisbane to help tie everything back together.
Routine Errors #2: Skipping SPF (Even On Cloudy Days)
If there’s one non-negotiable habit I wish I could drill into everyone’s heads daily sun protection. Down here in Australia, we’re blasted with some of the highest UV rays in the world – even on overcast days. Melbourne’s got seasons that go from totally wild to completely grey in the blink of an eye, while Brisbane’s UV levels are a sneaky menace that’ll get you no matter what the sky looks like. Someone like me, who’s dedicated to helping people get the best out of their skin, will tell you that using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is an absolute must – especially if you’re in a city like Melbourne or Brisbane. My clients always come to this realisation after a chat at The Facial Hub skin clinic, where we break down in detail exactly how UV exposure messes with collagen production and your skin’s overall radiance.
Why This Is Such A Common Misstep
I hear it all the time: “I’m mostly indoors” or “my makeup has SPF so I’m covered”. But UVA rays don’t care if your windows are closed – it’s like they’re trying to sneak in while you’re having a cup of coffee. And don’t even get me started on thinking that just because your BB cream has some SPF, you’re covered. The truth is, a good broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen can make a world of difference in protecting your skin from the inside out.
Real Studio Experience
The people who commit to daily SPF 30+ are the ones who see a real difference – less redness, fewer breakouts, slower ageing and a clearer complexion within just 4-8 weeks. Honestly, it’s one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make to your skincare routine, and it’s a message we drum into our clients at The Facial Hub.
Routine Errors #3: Using Too Many Actives
This is probably the biggest mistake people make with their skincare – we’re talking about the silent saboteur of modern skin care. There are just so many amazing serums out there, marketed as “must-haves”, and it’s easy to get carried away and start slapping on a whole cocktail of active ingredients all at once. I mean, who doesn’t want to tackle dehydration, pigmentation and fine lines all at the same time? But the thing is, some people end up putting on Vitamin C, Niacinamide, retinoids, hyaluronic acid, brightening serum concentrate and exfoliants like they’re going out of style – without ever stopping to think whether their skin actually needs all of that. And if their skin gets irritated, they might even book treatments like skin needling in Brisbane to try and fix the problem, when the reality is that the solution was just to simplify things a bit.
Why This Happens
The thing is, brands tend to market their products as solutions for every skin concern imaginable. So before you know it, you’ve got a skin care routine that’s got a hydrating serum, a recovery cream, an eye cream and a face serum – all crowding into the same space on your skin. And this is when things start to go wrong – your sebaceous glands get overwhelmed, the pH levels get all out of whack, and you begin to get clogged pores and sensitivity. It’s a bit like trying to add too many ingredients to a cake and expecting it to turn out alright still – it just doesn’t work.
What I Tell My Clients
Look, your skin doesn’t need a million different things all at once – it requires the right stuff, introduced slowly and in small doses. Trying to force your skin to handle too many active ingredients at once is like cramming too much into a suitcase – it’ll just get all jumbled up and stressed out. I always tell my clients that simplifying their nighttime skincare routine is a much better plan than trying to find a single “miracle” product to solve all their skin concerns. And as surprising as it may seem, most of my clients tell me that even before we provide professional skin treatments such as hydrafacials, microdermabrasion, or targeted resurfacing, they begin to see real improvement in their skin.
Routine Risk Factors Affect Different Skin Types
| Mistake | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Sensitive Skin | Mature Skin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over-Exfoliation | Flaking, tightness | Excess oil rebound | Burning, redness | Accelerated fine lines |
| Skipping SPF | Pigmentation, rough texture | Congestion | Rosacea flares | Faster collagen loss |
| Too Many Actives | Irritation, barrier breakdown | Breakouts | Dermatitis | Sensitivity + dehydration |
This reflects real outcomes I see weekly at The Facial Hub, especially in warmer climates where environmental aggressors and UV exposure amplify reactions.
Gentle Steps To Bring Your Skin Back Into Balance
There are times when your skin just doesn’t need more products – it requires a bit more care, a bit less stress. These gentle steps are about giving your skin the calm, thoughtful attention it needs to start healing, rebuild its protective barrier, and return to a healthy rhythm.
Step 1: Slow Down
Morning: Just clean your face, then a little Vitamin C or something that brightens it up. Don’t forget that broad-spectrum sunscreen – at least SPF 30+ Evening: Just clean your face, then pick one good product that’s going to make a difference (say, some Vitamin A or Niacinamide). Finish with a hydrating balm or recovery cream to help it all sink in.
Step 2: Ease On In
You should only add one new product every 10-14 days. That way, you can keep a close eye on what’s going on with your skin.
Step 3: Give Your Barrier Some Love
Look out for products with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, ceramides and liquorice root extract – they’re all super good at keeping that skin pH in balance and calming things down when it gets a bit sensitive.
Step 4: Use Professional Treatments Wisely
Now, treatments like hydrafacials, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion can be invaluable – but only if you’ve got a good professional guiding you. I’ve had many clients come to me after searching for the best facials in Brisbane, or simply wanting a really good facial that won’t irritate their skin.
A Personal Reflection
You’re not alone if you’ve made some of those mistakes that can send your skin out of whack. I’ve done it myself, even during the ups and downs of my own fertility journey – my skin has really been through it, and I’ve had to simplify my routine to get things back under control. And I see that same transformation time and time again in my clients – some of them try a hydrafacial at The Facial Hub in Brisbane for the first time, and that does the trick, or they pair up their routine with some gentle, barrier-restoring treatments.
If you’re struggling to get your skin sorted out and you’d like some one-on-one advice, you’re more than welcome to come on down to The Facial Hub, and we’ll work together to get you a skincare routine that really works for you.
FAQ
How do I know if I’ve over-exfoliated my skin?
Burning, tightness, redness – those are all classic signs that you may have done it too much. The first step is to switch to a hydrating balm and reduce the active ingredients slightly.
Is daily SPF essential?
Yes, you do – even indoors, the UV rays can still get through and start causing problems. And trust me, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ is a must if you want to keep your skin looking its best.
Which active ingredients should I start with?
I reckon Vitamin C in the morning and Vitamin A or Niacinamide in the evening are a good place to start. Just take it slowly and monitor how your skin reacts.
Why does my skin react when I use too many serums?
It’s because when you start piling them on, you can upset the pH balance in your skin, overwhelm your sebaceous glands, and make things much worse.
How do professional skin treatments fit into a routine?
Look, a good professional skin treatment can really help your skin out in the long run – things like dermaplaning or microdermabrasion are a lot gentler than trying to do it yourself at home, and they can really help to keep your skin looking great.
