5 Beauty Mistakes That Could Make You Look Older

Your beauty routine may be on fleek by most accounts, but what if we told you there’s a chance a few slipups could be making you look older? From applying too much makeup to neglecting SPF, we share five common beauty mistakes that could make you look older—plus, quick tips on how to correct the blunders. How many—if any—are you guilty of? Find out below!

Mistake #1: Using Too Much Concealer

We rely on concealer to help camouflage flaws and imperfections on our skin, as well as the look of fatigue. From dark circles to pesky blemishes, we load up on these products to help hide what the public need not see. And while concealer can be a godsend on bad skin days (or after late nights), it can make matters worse in some instances—if used incorrectly, that is. Getting overzealous with concealer around your peepers, in particular, to cover up dark circles can draw unwanted attention to the area. Since the skin around our eyes is thin and delicate, bombarding it with too much makeup can highlight fine lines, making you appear older than your years. Same goes for foundation, bronzer, blush, etc. When overdone, makeup can settle into the very wrinkles you’re trying to hide, leading to an exaggerated appearance.  

The Fix: Before applying makeup, prep your skin with a moisturizing primer. Doing so can help smooth dry patches and problem spots—making it easier for your makeup to glide over without caking—as well as provide long-lasting hold. If dark circles are your concern, pay close attention to the skin around your eyes. Hydrate with eye cream before applying your concealer (lightweight texture is preferred) and gently blend the formula with your fingers so it’s less likely to settle into lines.

Mistake #2: Skipping Exfoliation

Be honest: When’s the last time you exfoliated your skin? If it’s been longer than you can remember, now’s the time to change that. When dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, it can cause a rough texture and a dulled appearance, both of which can make you look older!

The Fix: To help achieve a youthful glow, slough off those dead cells with your favorite chemical or physical exfoliant, be it a facial scrub or an at-home peel pad formulated with glycolic acid. For long-term results, make exfoliation a regular part of your routine. The jury’s still out amongst derms on how often one should exfoliate (1-2 times per week, depending on your skin type, is a good rule of thumb to follow), but there’s no question that it’s a must in a routine. Don’t skip it!

Mistake #3: Not Wearing Sunscreen

Whether you’re simply forgetting to apply broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher onto exposed areas of skin every day or actively neglecting it, you’re doing a grave disservice to your skin. The sun’s harmful UV rays are a major cause of premature skin aging—think: wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots—as well as some skin cancers. Sure, your skin may not look older after one or two days of not wearing sunscreen, but unwanted signs of aging can certainly creep up over time. Do you want to look 55 when you’re 30? Didn’t think so.

The Fix: Many people wrongly assume that applying sunscreen only lends itself to long beach days, but let us be the ones to dispel this myth. Everyone—we repeat: everyone—should wear water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher all year-round, rain or shine, and reapply at least every two hours. It’s one of the most important steps you can include in your skin care routine. All it takes is a few seconds of effort, so there’s really no excuse!

Mistake #4: Forgetting Your Neck, Chest & Hands

It’s no wonder our neck, chest, and hands are among the first areas of skin to show signs of aging—they’re typically neglected in a skin care routine! Spending all your time and energy shaving years off your face will be for naught if your paws, chest, and neck—covered in wrinkles and age spots—reveal your true age.

The Fix: Extend your skincare to these oft-neglected areas! Slather on a hand cream formulated with SPF every morning to help protect your paws from harmful UV rays. Many people aren’t aware that UV rays can penetrate through windows, which makes your hands a prime target while driving or sitting in a sunny window seat. Cleanse and moisturize these areas regularly, and apply targeted solutions—be it a serum or a retinol product.

Mistake #5: Contouring the Wrong Way

Contouring is a great way to temporarily sculpt the high points of your face (lifted cheekbones, anyone?) and add dimension to your best features. But, similar to most good things, contouring can head south very, very easily. Using the wrong shades, products, or technique with your contour can lead to a makeup disaster.

The Fix: Contour like the pros! Don’t know how? Don’t fret. We’re sharing the best way to contour on pale skin tones, here! Deep skin tones, we got you covered too. Click here for tips on how to contour on darker skin!