If you listen to TikTokers and celebs, it’s easy to feel like you need a medicine cabinet full of skincare products to get the glowy complexion of your dreams. All those bottles, jars and masks can be incredibly expensive, but it turns out, they may also be excessive.
The thing is, dermatologists actually recommend a “less is more” approach for your skin. Some of the things we use on our faces don’t actually do anything, or worse? They can do damage to our skin. These are the skincare products dermatologists say are overrated and we don’t need in our routines.
- Make-up removing wipes - Sure, they’re convenient, but dermatologist Dr. Alpana Mohta explains that they can contain harsh chemicals and preservatives, which strip the skin of natural oils and can cause dryness, irritation and even acne breakouts.
- Facial oils - These can be helpful for dry skin, but oils can clog pores and cause breakouts, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin, according to dermatologist Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed.
- Sheet masks - While these are fun and relaxing, Dr. Hamed says they don’t provide any long-term benefits, can be overpriced and aren’t better than traditional masks or serums.
- Expensive eye creams - A lot of these claim to be able to reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, but Dr. Hamed says most of them “don’t deliver significant results” and they’re overpriced as well.
- Nose strips - This popular product for eliminating blackheads may be fun to use, but Dr. Mohta says while they get rid of surface-level debris and oil from the nose, “they do not address the underlying causes of blackheads, which are usually associated with increased oil production and plugged pores.” Instead of nose strips, she recommends using a non-abrasive exfoliating product, like salicylic or glycolic acid-based cleanser.
- Charcoal masks - They may look cool on Instagram, but they’re not doing much for your skin. “Charcoal has no special powers when it comes to deep cleansing or treating acne,” explains Dr. Mona Gohara. “The same goes for any other mask claiming it can draw out dirt or impurities.”
Source: Hello Giggles