I’ve always thought that skincare was something other people just got.
Like, you know those girls who casually mention their “morning routine” and it involves facial steaming, ice rolling, lymphatic massage, and affirmations before 7 a.m.?
Yeah. I was not one of those girls. My version of skincare was whatever was on sale at the pharmacy, rubbed aggressively onto my face in between episodes of whatever I was binge-watching at the time.
But then I hit a point where I looked in the mirror and thought… this isn’t cute anymore.
I didn’t want flawless skin. I just wanted to look a little less like a sleep-deprived Victorian child ghost.
So, I decided to get serious. Not expensive-serious. Just realistic-serious. Here are the three biggest things I changed, and no, it doesn’t include buying a fridge just for serums.
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Mistake Number 1 – Thinking I didn’t need sunscreen because I “don’t burn”
If I had a penny for every time I said, “Nah, I’m good. I tan,” I would be rich and still wrinkled.
It turns out, just because you don’t burn doesn’t mean the sun isn’t absolutely wrecking your face.
UVA rays? Silent assassins.
They don’t care if you’re sitting in the shade or it’s cloudy or you’re wearing a baseball cap that says “bad decisions.”
So now, I wear SPF 50 on my face every single day. I keep it next to my toothbrush, because brushing my teeth is the only thing I never forget to do.
Here’s the wild part: when I started using sunscreen daily, I noticed fewer breakouts. Like… fewer random “what even is that?” bumps. It also helped fade old marks I’d spent months staring at.
Moral of the story: sunscreen is skincare. Not just for the beach. For Tuesday.
Mistake Number 2 – Ignoring my neck like it was someone else’s problem
My skincare used to stop at my chin. As if the rest of my body didn’t deserve nice things.
But one day, I saw this post that said, “Your face actually starts at your forehead and ends at your nipples.”
And I thought, Wait. My neck has been raw-dogging the elements this whole time.
Now I treat my neck like a VIP guest.
Whatever I put on my face – cleanser, moisturiser, oil, SPF – goes on the neck too. Gently. With respect.
Like I’m painting the Sistine Chapel, but lower.
I also learned that tech neck is real. All that scrolling, all that chin-down time? It’s creating fine lines faster than you can say “screen time report.”
So if you want to look youthful and glowy, don’t skip your neck. She’s been loyal to you this whole time.
Mistake Number 3 – Expecting results overnight
Okay. This one was hard for me.
I love a checklist, an immediate win, a “you did it” gold star.
So when I’d try a new product and didn’t wake up looking like a glazed mochi, I’d give up.
But the truth is, skin doesn’t work on Amazon Prime time.
You can’t demand results in 24 hours. You have to actually… wait. (I know. Horrible.)
So now, I give a new routine at least 3–4 weeks before I judge it. I take pictures. I look at trends.
I stopped blaming my serum after one pimple. I also learned the hard way: trying five new products at once is not a routine. It’s a chemical experiment. If your face suddenly feels like it’s fighting for its life, that’s why.
Keep it minimal. Stick with it. Let your skin chill out.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Oh god, I’ve done all of that,” don’t worry.
Same.
Skincare is trial and error, and half the battle is just showing up for your face with a little love and a clean flannel.
So now, I wear my SPF. I moisturise my neck. I give my skin time to adjust. And honestly? I feel glowy in a “she’s figuring it out” kind of way.
No jade rollers. No fancy devices. Just me, my face, and a lot of patience.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d love for you to stick around and discover more beauty secrets. Thank you for trusting me.
All my love, Tess <3