India, Jan. 20 -- In a world where beauty influencers set trends and social media shapes our perception of skincare, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of products and routines we see online. From serums and toners to oils and exfoliants, many of us end up buying the latest launches in the hope of achieving flawless, glowing skin. However, in the pursuit of perfection, we often make skincare mistakes that can do more harm than good, especially by using too many products at once. Here are three common skincare mistakes that could be damaging your skin: Layering powerful ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, and BHAs may seem like a fast track to better skin. However, dermatologist Dr Rupika Singh cautions against combining too many strong actives. "Mixing strong actives can compromise the skin's natural barrier and lead to issues such as redness, increased sensitivity, and breakouts," she explains. While it is tempting to try every trending product, but rather than overloading your skin, she recommends a simpler approach: "Instead of using multiple ingredients, simplify your routine with high-quality products that cater to your skin's specific needs. The goal is to nourish and protect your skin, not overwhelm it." While exfoliation is essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting a healthy glow, overdoing it can be harmful. Over-exfoliation can leave the skin irritated, dry, and vulnerable, potentially accelerating early signs of ageing and disrupting its natural moisture balance. Dr Rupika emphasises that balance is key. "While exfoliation is beneficial, doing it too frequently, or combining different types, such as physical scrubs with chemical exfoliants, can strip the skin of its essential moisture," she says. Over-cleansing is another common mistake. In the quest for instant results, many people wash their faces too frequently or constantly switch between cleansers, toners, and serums, hoping for quick results. According to Dr Rupika, this quick-switching approach can backfire. "Your skin needs time to adjust to new products. Constantly changing your routine disrupts its balance and can lead to inflammation or breakouts," she says. Ultimately, while staying informed about skincare trends can be helpful, more products don't always mean better care. Effective skincare should focus on healing and strengthening the skin barrier, rather than stressing it with excessive cleansing, exfoliation, and active ingredients....