Have you ever wondered whether you're really doing your skin the best thing possible—or whether there are things and habits you should avoid? If so, today we're taking you on an exploration into the world of skincare no-gos! Because let's be honest—we've all made one or two skincare mistakes that resulted in redness and blemishes. So you don't have to make them all yourself, we've put together a clear list.

In this article, we introduce you to the 10 red flags in skincare and explain why you should avoid them as much as possible. If you don't have much time to read, you'll find a short list of all 10 points right here. If you want to know more, just scroll through the article – there you'll find a detailed description of each red flag and how it affects your skin.

What you should avoid for healthy skin –
The 10 red flags at a glance:

• Lack of facial cleansing
• Squeeze pimples
• Irritating ingredients (perfume, fragrances, mineral oils, microplastics, etc.)
• Frequent peeling
• Lack of UV protection
• Too many different products
• Unhealthy diet with lots of trans fats (e.g. fast food)
• Alcohol & Nicotine
• lack of sleep
• Constantly touching your face (especially with dirty hands)

1. You don't clean your face

Your skin is exposed to environmental influences every day, which lead to deposits on the skin . These include fine dust, dirt, and other impurities. Increased sebum production (e.g., in oily skin) and the application of makeup also lead to deposits on the skin. If you don't gently cleanse your skin of these substances daily, they can clog your pores and promote the formation of pimples and blackheads . In the long term, this can also lead to irritation and inflammation.

And that's not all: As long as your skin is still covered in residue, skincare products can't work optimally. This effectively prevents your skin from absorbing the nourishing ingredients of moisturizers and serums. Therefore, cleansing should always be the first step in your daily skincare routine. Simply rinsing your skin with lukewarm water is sufficient. If you wear makeup, we recommend also cleansing with our mild body wash , which you can safely use on your face.

2. You squeeze pimples

Even if the idea sounds tempting, you should n't squeeze pimples ! By squeezing your skin, you can injure it and allow bacteria to penetrate the pimple through the opening . This, in turn, can lead to (purulent) inflammation and so-called acne scars in the form of small scars and dark spots (hyperpigmentation).

When squeezing, you may also push inflammatory substances deeper into the skin . This can worsen the pimple and make it harder to heal. The result is often swelling and pain in the affected area.

Instead, let pimples heal and treat the affected skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as panthenol, eyebright, and linden blossom.

3. You use products with irritating ingredients

Not all ingredients in skincare products are good for the skin. Some, such as perfumes, fragrances, dyes, mineral oils, and parabens, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Sensitive skin in particular can react quickly to such substances. Possible reactions include:

• Redness and irritation
• Allergic reactions with swelling, itching, redness and blistering
• Dryness and flaking of the skin
• Disruption of the skin barrier
• Intensification of existing skin problems, e.g. acne, rosacea and skin eczema

When choosing your care products, therefore, pay attention to mild and skin-friendly formulations that do not contain these substances.

4. You use scrubs too often

Exfoliants can remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and radiant. But over -exfoliating or scrubbing too often removes more than just dead skin cells—they can damage your skin's protective lipid layer . The result: a weakened skin barrier that becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors, dryness, redness, and irritation.

You should exfoliate your face no more than once a week; on other parts of your body , twice a week is fine. If you've been exfoliating too often and your skin is suffering from dryness and irritation, you can rebuild its damaged lipid layer with a rich moisturizer. For your face , we recommend our face cream night . It strengthens the skin barrier with cocoa butter, shea butter, monoi oil, and squalane and supports your skin's regeneration.

For the rest of your body, you can use the body lotion soft , which strengthens the lipid layer with panthenol and bisabolol and provides your irritated skin with the soothing effects of licorice root, eyebright, and frankincense extract.

5. You don't use UV protection

UV rays are one of the main causes of premature skin aging. Even on cloudy days, these rays can penetrate your skin and cause damage. The consequences, such as wrinkles or dark spots, often don't become apparent until years later. If you use anti-aging products without also paying attention to your skin's UV protection, their positive effects will be greatly reduced. Therefore, from now on, you should really use sunscreen on your skin every day – especially on your face.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, we recommend our face sunscreen with SPF 50+ . It's waterproof, sweat-resistant, and reliably protects your skin from damage, even in the height of summer.

For days with less UV exposure (e.g. in spring, autumn and winter) you can protect your face with SPF 15 from our face cream day .

6. You use too many different products and change them frequently

"Consistency is key!" – our skin loves consistency and typically needs 4–6 weeks to get used to a new skincare product. If you're the impatient type, this can be a bit of a test – because the positive effects of a product can often only become apparent after this period.

The problem: We often give up in frustration much sooner and look for the next product that's supposed to bring our skin back into balance. If that doesn't produce results quickly, we move on to the next cream, and so on. And that's really unpleasant for your skin – because every change means it has to get used to something new again .

The result: Your skin becomes overstimulated and reacts more sensitively each time .

In the worst case , over-treating your skin can lead to perioral dermatitis, a condition known as "stewardess disease." Irritations around the mouth manifest as redness, pustules, and pimples in this area that persist for days, you should stop using any other products and consult a dermatologist .

By the way, your skin can also become hypersensitive if you use too many different products ! Your skin needs time to fully absorb the ingredients. If it doesn't get this because you're applying the next product so quickly, this also leads to stress.

Generally, it's sufficient to gently cleanse your skin with water in the morning and evening and apply the appropriate day and night care product. We recommend the following products for your daily skincare routine :

• In the morning: day cream and serum
• If necessary, additional sun protection (if not already included in your daily care)
• In the evening: night cream

7. You eat unhealthily and often eat trans fats

You are what you eat: This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's absolutely true when it comes to your skin. Your diet can have a direct impact on your skin's appearance . If you frequently consume trans fats (e.g., from fast food) and processed sugar , this can exacerbate skin blemishes, pimples, and blackheads.

Sugar in particular can attack the collagen structure of the skin and, if consumed for a long time and in excess, can promote premature aging of your skin.

Our overall health is closely linked to the health of our gut – if there are problems here, it can have a direct impact on your skin. Redness and irritation often indicate early signs that something is wrong, for example, if you eat foods to which you are sensitive .

Other effects of an unhealthy diet on the skin can include:

• Inflammation: Foods rich in trans fats, saturated fats, and refined sugars can promote inflammation in the body. This can contribute to skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and acne—or be a direct trigger for a flare-up.
• Redness & Irritations: Foods that can cause allergies or intolerances, such as dairy products or foods containing gluten, can lead to skin redness, eczema or other skin irritations in affected people.
• Pale skin: Iron deficiency can manifest itself on the skin as a pale and dull color.
• Acne: Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar can increase insulin levels in the blood. This, in turn, can stimulate sebum production, promote inflammatory reactions, and thus increase the risk of acne.
• Premature skin aging & glycation: Sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to glycation ("sugarying") of the skin, in which sugar in the blood binds to proteins like collagen. This can make the collagen stiff and less elastic, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
• Dry and flaky skin: A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids can lead to flaky and dry skin, as these are important for a healthy skin barrier. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods such as walnuts and flaxseeds.
• Poor wound healing: A deficiency in vitamin C, zinc, and other nutrients can slow down your skin's healing process when injured.
  

Note: Please discuss any food intolerances and digestive problems with your doctor early on to prevent further effects on your health.

8. You often drink alcohol and smoke

It's no secret that alcohol and nicotine are generally bad for our health. But did you know that both also have a direct impact on your skin?

Alcohol consumption dehydrates the body and thus deprives your skin of essential moisture. If you drink too much or regularly, it can become dry, dull, and less elastic. Alcohol also dilates blood vessels , causing certain areas of the face to redden (e.g., on the cheeks and nose). Broken capillaries are also not uncommon with excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol can also affect the following areas of your body and, consequently, your skin:

• Hormonal effects: Alcohol can affect hormone levels, which in turn can lead to increased sebum production and also trigger acne breakouts.
• Inflammation: Alcohol can promote inflammation in the body, which can manifest on the skin in the form of redness, swelling, and blemishes.
• Collagen damage: Chronic alcohol consumption can impair your skin's collagen production. Collagen is responsible for the firmness and elasticity of skin tissue. A deficiency can lead to sagging skin, visible wrinkles, and premature skin aging.
• Worsening of skin conditions: If you have rosacea or psoriasis, alcohol may worsen your symptoms.
• Nutrient deficiencies: Alcohol can impair your body's ability to absorb important nutrients such as vitamin A, which is an antioxidant important for skin renewal and cell repair.
  

Along with alcohol , nicotine is one of the biggest red flags in skincare . This is no surprise, since tobacco consumption has a profound impact on the entire body. Lung damage increases the risk of cancer and leads to a reduced oxygen supply . This is also directly reflected in the skin:

• Formation of wrinkles: Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the outermost layers of the skin, reducing blood flow to these areas. This leaves your skin not only lacking oxygen, but also important nutrients transported by the blood. This deficiency accelerates skin aging and thus the formation of wrinkles. The constant movement of the lips while smoking can also lead to so-called "smoker's lines" around the mouth.
• Loss of collagen: Smoking reduces the skin's production of collagen, the protein responsible for skin elasticity. This causes the skin to become looser.
• Yellowish skin: The many chemicals in cigarettes can cause your skin to take on a yellowish color. This often manifests itself directly on your fingers, which come into direct contact with cigarette smoke.
• Increased risk of skin cancer: Although melanomas are most commonly caused by UV radiation, studies have shown that smokers have a higher risk of developing this form of skin cancer.
• Slowed wound healing: The narrowed blood vessels can also impair your skin's ability to heal itself, leading to longer wound healing times and more visible scars.
• Dry skin: Smoking can dry out the skin, leading to a dull and tired complexion.
• Worsening of skin diseases: Smoking can worsen skin diseases such as psoriasis and rosacea and lead to inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. hidradenitis suppurativa).
  

9. You don’t give your body enough sleep

Sleep is our body's time for regeneration – and this also applies to our skin. While we rest, the skin's own regeneration processes begin to strengthen it and repair any damage.

If you suffer from sleep deprivation, this can directly affect your skin, as it doesn't get enough time to regenerate. Directly visible consequences include dark circles under the eyes, sagging skin, and even pimples. Other consequences of persistent sleep deprivation can include:

• Skin aging: Studies have shown that people who regularly or over a long period of time lack sleep show more signs of skin aging (fine lines, reduced elasticity and uneven pigmentation).
• Poor skin barrier function: Lack of sleep can impair your skin's ability to hydrate itself, leading to dry skin. This, in turn, can compromise the barrier function, making the skin more vulnerable to external irritants.
• Increased inflammatory responses : Lack of sleep can lead to an increase in inflammatory markers in the body. This can worsen skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
• Dark circles under the eyes: Lack of sleep can cause the blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, causing dark shadows in the form of dark circles under the eyes.
• Pale skin: Lack of sleep can lead to poor circulation, which can make the skin appear paler.
• Slowed regeneration: At night, the body goes into repair mode, repairing damaged cells and producing new ones. Lack of sleep can disrupt this regenerative process.
• Hormonal imbalance: Sleep affects hormone production and regulation. Too little sleep can affect hormones like cortisol (a stress hormone), which, when present in high amounts, can cause skin inflammation.
• Weakened immune system: Persistent lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and make your skin more susceptible to infections and diseases.
  

Restful, adequate sleep is extremely important for healthy skin. If you suffer from sleep problems, a regular evening routine with a freshly ventilated bedroom, a cozy cup of tea, and relaxation exercises can help you fall asleep more easily.

10. You constantly touch your face

Hands constantly come into contact with bacteria – for example, by touching door handles, elevator buttons, and handrails on the subway. This isn't a problem for the skin on our hands, because as long as the skin's lipid layer remains intact, it can easily fend off typical everyday germs.

However, things are different on the face: The skin there is not only more sensitive but also reacts more quickly to environmental influences. When we frequently touch our faces with unwashed hands , we transfer the collected germs directly to our skin . If our skin is sensitive or currently irritated, this can lead to further irritation.

How strongly your skin reacts also depends on how you touch your face. If you're the type of person who scratches your skin with your fingernails , picks away dead skin cells , and picks pimples , bacteria can more easily penetrate the skin layers.

Regular handwashing is not only important for your overall health, but also beneficial for your skin. You can also try to consciously change this habit and make sure you touch your face less often.