For ages, we’ve seen traditional media sell us the idea of anti-ageing routines and that beauty is a battle against time, urging us to erase, tighten and hide every sign of a life well-lived. But why do we feel the need to pause the clock rather than ensure our skin is healthy enough to tick along with us? It’s almost 2026. The narrative is changing and ‘ageing’ is seen as a sign of grace as opposed to a notion that needs to be masked or hidden — and rightfully so.
The goal isn’t to pick every anti-ageing product and look like you stopped living at 25; it’s to ensure your skin has the strength and vitality to look its best at every stage of your life. Real beauty is becoming less about ‘fixing’ and more about supporting. However, even with the best intentions, certain ingrained habits might be working against this goal. We asked the experts to identify the subtle mistakes that are secretly sabotaging your skin and the smart, gentle corrections to make instead.
1. Over-powdering your base
In the quest of resembling a walking beauty filter, many of us are guilty of being heavy-handed with the powder puff. While it may keep excess sebum in check and curb shine temporarily, it’s often counter-productive for skin texture. According to Dr. Sagar Gujjar, dermatologist and founder of Skinwood Luxury Aesthetics Centre, Mumbai, over-powdering instantly makes texture, pores and fine lines look deeper. “Over time it dries the skin out and weakens the barrier,” he warns.
The Fix: Stop baking your entire face. In 2026, the focus needs to shift to practising restraint and hydration. Keep your skin hydrated with water based serums and gels, use sheer bases and apply a ‘micro-dusting’ of powder only where absolutely needed.
2. Skipping SPF indoors
This is nothing but a rookie mistake (and a common misconception, in fact) to believe that your windows are effectively protecting you from UV rays. Unfortunately, ‘indoor days’ are not a free pass. “UVA rays pass through windows and are responsible for most pigmentation and fine lines,” explains Dr Mikki Singh, dermatologist and cosmetologist at Bodycraft Clinics. “Unlike UVB rays which burn, UVA rays silently accelerate photo-ageing and hyperpigmentation,” she adds.
The Fix: Stock up on your sunscreen and make daily broad-spectrum protection non-negotiable, even if you never step outside. Protection against UVA rays is extremely important to prevent an uneven tone. Think of it less as ‘sunscreen‘ and more as ‘daylight protection’ that is essential daily armour for skin quality.
3. Harsh contouring
Let’s face it, we all love a sculpted look, often popularised by social media filters. In reality, that sort of makeup can be too harsh for real-life skin physiology. “Heavy formulas settle into creases, and constant blending can irritate the skin,” warns Dr Gujjar. This could trigger hyperpigmentation and emphasise shadows that mimic age-related hollows. Thick layers of foundation or concealer settle into fine lines, making them more noticeable.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
