In a viral video, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dray didn’t hold back as she called out the most unexpected skincare habits that are quietly accelerating skin aging — and wasting your money. From vaping while using high-end serums to waxing over retinol-treated skin, Dr. Dray says some of these mistakes “drive [her] bonkers” and can undo years of skincare effort.
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1. Vaping Undoes Your Skincare Routine
Dr. Dray’s top skincare sin? Vaping.
“I don’t care what vitamin C serum you are using — if you are vaping, your priorities are off.”
Beyond harming your health, she explains that vaping accelerates facial aging by damaging the tissues in your mouth, increasing inflammation, and contributing to gum disease and bone loss — all of which impact facial structure.
“Vaping is not going to do your bone structure any favors... that is just not the look that you want.”
2. Citrus + Sun = “Margarita Dermatitis”
Summer cocktails with citrus can turn into a nightmare if the juice gets on your skin before sun exposure.
“These fruits contain furocoumarins… when they get on your skin and interact with ultraviolet radiation, it causes a phytophotodermatitis.”
The result? Painful rashes that often leave behind dark, long-lasting hyperpigmentation — especially for deeper skin tones.
3. Alcohol and Sun Don't Mix
Sipping in the sun might feel good — but it’s doing damage.
“Alcohol makes you more sensitive to the sun... it robs the skin of antioxidants needed to defend against UV radiation.”
Worse, impaired judgment from drinking often means forgetting sunscreen and staying in the sun too long, increasing your risk of burns and long-term skin damage.
4. Don’t Wax While Using Active Ingredients
Retinoids and exfoliants like salicylic acid can make your skin smooth — but that smoothness makes it more vulnerable to injury during waxing.
“They make the top dead layer real slick… so it takes more of what’s underneath. You get sores and wounds.”
Even mild products can lead to skin trauma when combined with waxing, so always let your esthetician know what you're using.
5. Stop Self-Treating Skin Conditions
Many people turn to steroid creams or over-the-counter fixes for rashes — a move that Dr. Dray warns can backfire, especially with conditions like ringworm.
“The steroid suppresses the rash… but the fungus is like, ‘Thank you!’ and takes over.”
She urges patience and restraint:
“Many — capital many — skin problems spontaneously resolve with no intervention.”
Conclusion
You can’t out-serum your way through bad skin behavior. Whether it's vaping, forgetting SPF, or ignoring ingredient interactions, Dr. Dray’s message is clear: prevention is everything.
“If you are out booze cruising, vaping, no sun protection, in a bikini — good luck. The serum is not doing jack squat at that point.”
