Maintaining healthy, glowing skin isn’t just about buying the most expensive products or following viral trends.

Often, it's the small everyday habits that have the biggest impact. At O'Donoghue Dermatology, we see many patients who are unknowingly sabotaging their skin health through simple but avoidable skincare mistakes. Here are five of the most common ones you might be making, and how to fix them.

1. Over-Cleansing or Using Harsh Cleansers

Cleansing is essential, but overdoing it can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, and irritated. Many people with oily or acne-prone skin mistakenly use strong, astringent cleansers that cause more harm than good.

What to do instead: Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser twice a day. Look for ingredients like glycerin or ceramides that help maintain your skin's barrier.

2. Skipping Sunscreen

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. Daily sun exposure contributes to premature aging, sun spots, and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days or indoors near windows, UV rays can damage your skin.

What to do instead: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, and reapply every two hours when outdoors. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are ideal for sensitive skin.

3. Not Moisturizing Because You Have Oily Skin

Many people with oily or acne-prone skin think they don't need moisturizer, but skipping it can actually lead to more oil production as your skin tries to compensate for the dryness.

What to do instead: Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates without clogging pores. Gel-based moisturizers are a great option.