The skincare habits our estheticians correct most often — and the simple fix for each one.
Every consultation at Adagio starts the same way: a conversation about what someone’s actually doing at home. Most people are further along than they think. But a handful of habits show up again and again, and they’re rarely about effort — usually the opposite.
1. Over-exfoliating.
This is the one we see most. A physical scrub, a chemical exfoliant, and a retinol all in the same week is more common than you’d think, and it’s almost always the reason behind redness and sensitivity clients can’t explain.
2. Skipping SPF when it’s overcast.
Anchorage makes this an easy habit to fall into. Cloud cover blocks far less UV than most people assume, and this one habit alone accounts for a lot of the sun damage we see.
3. Giving up on a product too soon.
Most actives need four to six weeks before you can judge whether they’re working. Switching after a few days means the product never got a fair shot.
4. Stacking too many actives at once.
Exfoliants, retinol, and vitamin C layered together, all at once, tends to irritate skin rather than improve it — even though each one is genuinely good on its own.
5. Chasing a brand instead of a routine.
We hear this constantly: a client convinced one specific product line is the missing piece. In practice, consistency matters far more than what’s on the label.
None of these come from not caring. If anything, they usually come from trying hard without a clear picture of what your specific skin actually needs — which is exactly what a consultation is for.
Want more on the philosophy behind consistent, ritual-based skincare? Our owner’s skincare journal, VVR by Song goes deeper into it.