A Dermatologist Ranks the 5 Worst Nighttime Skincare Mistakes

“Mistakes can range from minor to monumental, causing dermatitis or other forms of atopic conditions and dermal disasters,” explains Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills. “Our skin is the largest organ, working its best to keep out pathogens, [retain] a strong skin barrier function, and balance our microbiome.” Unfortunately, Shamban says we often work against it unknowingly, which can make matters worse in the long run. “There are many, many mistakes people make in skincare, maintenance, and ongoing daily routines,” she says. 

Ahead, Shamban lists her top “performance peeves” when it comes to skincare blunders. “I spared a few of the basics like sleeping in makeup, using long-expired products, or skipping/skimping on sunscreen, which are gospel at this point, but those certainly apply as well,” she stresses. Keep scrolling!