Esthetician Kristyn Smith is no stranger to famous faces, having treated stars including Bella Hadid and Jacquelyn Jablonski.
But whether model or mortal, the Practise NYC founder told The Post there’s one skincare mistake people continue to make.
And it can lead to inflammation that makes your skin look worse.
The problem? Overcorrection, she warned: “People layer too many products, devices, and treatments too quickly, often mistaking irritation for progress.”
Skin simply doesn’t respond well to this type of constant stimulation.
“It needs rhythm and recovery. When the skin is pushed too hard, it often develops chronic, low-grade inflammation that undermines long-term results,” she explained.
Despite the temptation to skin test the latest facial fads, she insists that “a measured, well-paced approach will always outperform a reactive, trend-driven routine.”
Young people seem particularly vulnerable to taking skincare fads to the extreme, leading to longterm issues. Experts maintain that kids and tweens can develop lifelong contact allergies to things like fragrances, which will impact their use of personal care products for the rest of their lives
The culprit: Too many ingredients that overwhelm teenage skin, including exfoliants like AHA and retinol, which can compromise the skin barrier.
As for what products make the cut for a healthy, measured skincare routine, Smith said drugstore bargains are often every bit as bankable as high-end potions.
“Price point matters far less than formulation quality and how products are used together,” she stressed, explaining that efficacy often comes down to strategy, not cost. “Skin responds best when products are chosen intentionally and layered with purpose.”
“That said, I do think it’s important to include at least one stimulating, cell-communicating formulation in a routine, something that actively engages the skin rather than just maintaining it,” she added.
Regarding skin maintenance and engagement, Smith noted that one demographic in particular should avoid facials.
“As a general rule, I advise avoiding traditional facials when there is active inflammation in the skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or barrier disruption,” she said.
Traditional facials are designed for stable skin and can easily aggravate inflammation, and tending to irritated skin calls for thoughtful dermal conditioning.
“Treating inflamed skin requires clinical judgment and restraint, not a one-size-fits-all approach,” she explained.
That being said, advanced practitioners and those with medically informed training can still work with inflamed or compromised skin, but the treatment is a far cry from a traditional facial.
“These treatments are hyper-customized and intentionally stripped back. They don’t follow standard sequencing or include the usual frills. The focus is on calming, stabilizing, and supporting the skin rather than stimulating it.”
