Have you ever found yourself staring hard at your reflection in front of the mirror, wondering why your skincare routine isn't delivering the plump, poreless skin you were promised? Yeah, I hear you. I have been there, done that, and got the shock. My journey through the maze of skin care has been filled with more literal and metaphorical bumps than I care to admit. So, let's delve into the hilariously disastrous missteps of my skincare saga and understand why your skincare routine doesn't work.

Starting the Great Skin Care Routine Trials

The entire escapade began with a dream: luminous, unblemished skin that would render all people green with envy. I set out on my quest with unbridled determination and nothing but a Pinterest board of skin inspiration. I had no idea at that moment what I would go through misguided attempts and comical errors with many facepalms.

However, the first mistake I made was thinking that exfoliation was the big magic key to perfect skin. "Why stop once a week when I can do it daily?" I thought, and hence, I scrubbed my face like a dirty dish needing elbow grease. And to my horror, instead of radiating, I ended up with a face like a tomato and skin that felt like sandpaper. The lesson here? Too much exfoliating strips off your skin's natural oils and removes the barrier, irritating it with breakouts. However, now I know that less can be more regarding exfoliation.

On the quest for the world's best moisturizer, I couldn't resist the alluring shapes of the rich, luxurious creams. My logic was simple, so here it is: the thicker the cream, the more hydrating my skin becomes. So I lavished myself with heavy creams, believing my skin would drink it all like a thirsty desert. But, of course, my skin doesn'tdoesn't have the dimensions of large, gaping craters on the moon, so it all came up in the form of clogged pores and a face shinier than the sun, easily rivalling that of a doughnut in a shop window. The fact of the matter is simply that not all skin types require heavy moisturizers.

Understanding your skin type is the key to avoiding this greasy predicament.

Welcome to the world of serums; each minute bottle boasts miracles. I became a serum addict in one fell swoop, layering from one serum bottle to another, like a tad mad scientist experimenting in my bathroom. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, you name it, I slapped it onto my face. If I only knew that not all serums are friendly with one another. Some mixing could turn your skin into a rage monster: irritation, reduction in efficacy, or worse, breakouts. The lesson of the story?

Make new serum introductions one at a time and see how your skin reacts.

Sunscreen is the holy grail of skincare, but I got it all wrong. I thought SPF was a single-time-deal kind of whip. I'd slather it on in the morning and call it a day, not knowing that reapplication is critical, especially if you're in the sun for long periods. My foolishness led me to reddened skin and more hyperpigmentation.

Sunscreen should be applied and reapplied every two hours if you're in direct sunlight. Finding one that suits your skin type can make a world of difference.

Pore strips were supposed to be the final solution to blackheads. I put them on my nose and waited for the grand reveal. I took them off, and blackheads revealed it did—along with a chunk of my skin. It's not worth the price or tearing my face off. Pore strips are intensive and do more harm than good by damaging your skin and causing irritation. Gentle exfoliation and proper cleansing ensure you bring the blackheads to a minimum.

Face masks are the ultimate pampering tool—you've guessed right. I had bought every trendy mask: peel-off masks, clay masks, sheet masks, name it. My bathroom cabinet looks like a mask museum. The lesson? Moderation in applying face masks and choosing one appropriate to the skin's needs at any given moment is best. Overuse of face masks can cause imbalance and irritation.

My path with cleansers was a roller coaster. I tried them all—foaming, cream, and oil cleansers—each promising a miraculous transformation. Out of excitement, I often switched cleansers too fast, not giving my skin enough time to adjust. This constant change left my skin in a state of confusion, me breaking out and drying out. For this reason, it's essential to find a cleanser that will always be gentle and suitable for your skin type.

And the allure of DIY skincare was thrilling to my ears. I'd spend hours whipping up some face masks, swearing that nature held the secret to perfect skin: avocado masks, honey scrubs, lemon juice toners. I've been through it all. Unfortunately, not all kitchen ingredients are appropriate for skincare use. For example, with its capacity, lemon juice can burn and annoy your skin. I learnt from this episode, ''Stay clear of DIY skincare mixes'' and stick only to the good-for-purpose ingredients.

The excitement for trying new products almost always had me forgetting to conduct a patch test. There'sThere's no time for that. Being unable to do the patch test brought me some fantastic allergic reactions when applying that new face cream on my face, which became swollen and ballooned right after, whereby I spent days hidden indoors. Patch tests are critical to see if you won't be allergic or too sensitive to a new product.

Always test a small amount on your wrist or behind your ear before coating your whole face.

The worst of all was believing that an overnight miracle would happen. I'd buy into the hype of a new product, expecting to wake up the next morning with perfect skin. If that didn't happen, I would get all bothered and switch to something else. Skincare is truly a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, consistency, and patience to see actual results.

Give a routine for at least a few weeks before deciding whether it works for you.

I finally learned with my skincare misadventures that I needed to take my routine with wisdom and not rush into things—here is what I did:

Knowing Your Skin Type: I took some time to figure out whether my skin type was oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. This helped me understand the products that would work right for me.

Simplify Your Routine: I removed everything but the basics from my routine: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I only brought in the other serums and masks after my skin had repaired and stabilized.

Patch Test Everything: Never skip the patch test again. This one simple step has saved me from countless potential disasters.

Consistency: I stopped waiting for those miracles that were supposed to happen from one night of a great routine. My skin thanked me for it.

Less is More: I learned to listen to my skin and not bog it down with too many products. Sometimes, minimalism works best.

It's not always a smooth ride or work on a journey to exceptional skin, but it is still totally desired.

My skincare routine changed from a mess to a well-oiled, pun intended, machine. If you've been struggling with your routine, take heart—you aren't alone. Learn by my hilarious failures, and remember—with some knowledge and patience, it won't be that long before you, too, bask in the glow of dreamy skin. And who knows? One day, you'll be the one sharing your funny skincare stories.

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