As a dermatologist who’s been practicing in Delhi for over ten years, I’ve had a front-row seat to how this city’s unique environment—and our habits—impact our skin.
At House of Aesthetics, I regularly treat patients facing the challenges of pollution, the relentless sun, and the seasonal rollercoaster. Keeping skin healthy here is no small feat. Yet, time and again, I see the same skincare mistakes in my patients.
Here are the top five mistakes I encounter most often—and trust me, they’re easier to fix than you might think.
1. Thinking Pollution Blocks the Sun (Spoiler: It Doesn’t)
I can’t tell you how many times a patient has sat across from me and said, “Doc, with all this smog, do I really need sunscreen?” I get it—Delhi’s haze can feel like a shield. But here’s the truth: UV rays don’t care about pollution. They cut right through it, quietly damaging your skin, speeding up wrinkles, and even raising your risk of skin cancer. I’ve seen too many cases of sun-damaged skin that could’ve been prevented with a simple habit: SPF 30 or higher, every single day. Yes, even when it’s cloudy or you’re just stepping out for a quick chai. No excuses! This is one of the most common skincare mistakes I encounter.
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2. Scrubbing Your Skin Raw to Fight the Grime
Delhi’s dust and pollution are no joke—I feel it on my own skin after a day out. But here’s where I see people go wrong: they attack their faces with harsh scrubs every day, thinking it’s the only way to get “clean.” I had a patient once who came in with red, irritated skin because she was exfoliating morning and night with a walnut scrub. Overdoing it strips your skin’s natural defenses, leaving it raw and more prone to soaking up pollutants. This is another frequent skincare mistake. My advice? Stick to gentle exfoliation once or twice a week. Your skin will thank you by staying calm and strong.
3. Sticking to the Same Routine, No Matter the Season
Delhi’s weather is a wild ride—dry, biting winters and sticky, sweaty summers. Yet so many of my patients use the same moisturizer or cleanser all year long. I’ll never forget a college student who came to me in December with flaky, tight skin because she was still using her lightweight summer gel. In winter, you need a thicker cream to fight the dryness (especially with heaters blasting indoors). Come summer, switch to something light that won’t clog pores. Not adapting your skincare with the weather is a subtle yet impactful skincare mistake. Adjusting your routine isn’t fancy—it’s just smart for this city.
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4. DIY Gone Wrong (Yes, That Lemon Juice Is Trouble)
I love that Delhiites embrace home remedies—turmeric masks and aloe vera straight from the plant are part of our culture. But I’ve lost count of the patients who’ve walked in with rashes or burns from DIY disasters. One woman swore by rubbing raw lemon on her face to brighten it—until she stepped outside and got a nasty photosensitive reaction. Another tried undiluted tea tree oil and ended up with angry, peeling skin. These kinds of home-based skincare mistakes can seriously backfire. I’m not against natural remedies, but please, chat with a dermatologist first. Our polluted air makes skin extra sensitive, and you don’t want to roll the dice on a kitchen experiment.
5. Piling On Products Like It’s a Chemistry Lab
Skincare’s gotten trendy in Delhi, and I’m thrilled people are paying attention. But here’s the catch: many of my patients slap on every active ingredient they’ve heard of—retinol, vitamin C, acids—all at once. I had a guy come in last month with a wrecked skin barrier because he was mixing three strong products every night. This is one of the most damaging skincare mistakes I see, especially in urban environments like ours. In a city like ours, where pollution already stresses your skin, this is a recipe for trouble. Keep it simple: pick one or two activities, use them on different days, and build up slowly. Your skin isn’t a battleground—it needs balance, not a bombardment.
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Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing: Delhi throws a lot at our skin, and no two faces are the same. These skincare mistakes pop up all the time in my clinic, but they’re just patterns—not rules. If any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth tweaking your routine. Better yet, sit down with a dermatologist who knows this city’s quirks. A little personalized advice can go a long way in keeping your skin happy, no matter what the weather—or the AQI—throws at us.
