Skin care trends often come and go, and sometimes it’s difficult to determine whether something will work for your skin, or if it could be ineffective or even harmful. I’m here to debunk some skin care myths and share some tips and tricks to maintain healthy skin.

Don’t: Use Coconut Oil to Cure Dry Skin

Coconut oil works really well as a hair treatment and is a killer ingredient in homemade lip scrubs, but using it as a cure for dry skin as a huge no-no. I’ve seen this mistake made all too often. First of all, coconut oil doesn’t massage nicely into the skin and tends to clog pores. This leads to more breakouts and blackheads. Also, you might find that when you use coconut oil, the moisture that it provides your skin is only temporary and you’ll find yourself reapplying far too often.

Do: Use a Moisturizer, Face Lotion, or Dry Skin Serum

Moisturizers, lotions, and serums are perfect for deep moisture that settles nicely into the skin, rather than being too chunky and clogging pores. You may also find that these lighter, more workable formulas are more buildable, so you’ll be able to use primers and makeup overtop without everything feeling too heavy on the skin.

Don’t: Sleep With Your Makeup On

This is me begging you: PLEASE do not sleep with makeup on. Your face needs time to breathe, and sleeping while wearing makeup causes faster aging, more textured skin, and breakouts galore. Plus, you should be doing some skin care before you go to bed, even if that’s just washing your face to clear away the dirt and debris that accumulates throughout the day. This requires taking off makeup. Also, you’re probably ruining your pillowcases.

Do: Invest in a Good Makeup Remover

A good makeup remover can be the key to having healthy skin. Depending on your skin type, you might want a makeup remover that’s more gentle, one without certain ingredients, or one that isn’t drying. There are makeup removers that clean, moisturize, soften, and remove makeup all at once. Whether you’re using makeup wipes, liquid makeup removers, or cleansing water, finding the perfect makeup remover (and using it) could significantly increase the quality of your skin.

Don’t: Use Products That Don’t Suit Your Skin Type

There are really popular skin care products that don’t suit all skin types, and sometimes people use them even though they may not benefit their skin at all. It’s important to look at each and every product you’re using and being sure that they’re helping your skin and not hurting it.

Do: Know Your Skin Type and Do Your Research

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, textured skin, acne, dark spots, evidence of aging, or whatever it may be, it’s important to make sure you’re using products that will keep your skin healthy. Find out what your skin type is, and look into products that will work for you.

Don’t: Over-Exfoliate

While exfoliating a few times a week is essential to remove dead skin cells and excess dirt and grime, over-exfoliating can cause irritation, vulnerable skin, and redness. The more oily your skin, the more often you can afford to exfoliate, but keep in mind that moderation is best. Also, the harsher the scrub, the more potential it has to agitate your skin.

Do: Exfoliate!

Exfoliating in moderation has excessive benefits for your skin. It gets rid of old, dead skin cells, removes excess dirt and grime that may have persisted past your regular face wash, and leave your skin with a bright, fresh finish.

Don’t: Take Too Many Showers

Obviously, you should be showering enough to maintain basic human hygiene, but showering more than once a day can wreak havoc on your skin. While you may think all that water keeps your skin clean and moisturized, it actually causes dryness and strips your skin of the natural oils it needs. Plus, you’ll look like a dried up prune. Instead, shower once a day at most and moisturize immediately afterward.

Do: Drink Lots of Water

While too much water directly onto your skin can cause dryness, drinking water helps moisturize your skin, prevent breakouts, and leave you with a healthy, fresh-looking glow. Drinking 8 glasses water a day, or substituting lots of fruits and vegetables, flushes toxins from your skin and helps slow the appearance of aging.