Estheticians Weigh In On The Most Common Skin Care Mistakes (And How To Remedy Them)

Estheticians, the technical title for people who administer facials for a living, get a close-up look at all different kinds of skin and skin problems—dry, oily, congested, rosacea, cystic acne, sensitive—by vocation. They're also constantly learning about their clients' skin care regimens in order to help them adjust and optimize based on their environment, lifestyle, and individual needs.

"The most common mistake I see is putting way too much importance on exfoliation, especially aggressive exfoliation. The renewal process of our skin is related to lymph function. Instead of over-exfoliating, I focus on circulating blood in the skin, releasing chi stagnation, and unblocking all types of flow stagnation. Most people just don't have enough flow beneath their skin."

"I see many clients who are not using the proper skin care products for the skin they have. People get caught up in buying what their favorite celeb uses, what their sisters use, instead of focusing on their own skin needs. With my clients, they're either using too many or too few."

"I would say the most common mistake I see is undermoisturizing. I think many are afraid to embrace facial oils as a moisturizer, for fear that it will clog their pores and lead to more oil. This couldn’t be more wrong! They use stripping cleansers and oil-free lotions, which can lead to an overproduction of oil in the skin and throw off the balance. Undermoisturizing can lead to more fine lines and damage down the road also."

How to remedy: "The best way to add more moisture is to find a light facial oil, like rosehip or marula, and massage into freshly toned, still-damp skin. In five minutes it will sink right into the skin and leave it feeling super soft. If more moisture is needed, layer a cream over this, which will prevent moisture loss." —Hannah Brady, in-house esthetician at natural beauty mecca Credo Beauty