No one wants to waste money on products that don’t work.
Paying for skincare lines that don’t work is frustrating.
Harsh scrubs
Just about every physician I spoke with talked about the risks of harsh scrubs.
Many of the exfoliating scrubs on the market contain tiny beads meant to slough away dead skin cells.
However, these beads can do much more than that.
Charcoal masks
Charcoal masksdon’t look like a good idea.
I’ve never thought of coal and skincare in the same sentence, but these masks are gaining popularity.
They are meant to clear away dirt and leave you with fresh, new skin.
However, not all dermatologists are on board with this trend.
“Another trend I just cannot get behind: adhesive black charcoal masks,” said Dr. Yadav.
“In this one case, no pain is your gain.
This can damage your skin seriously.”
However, don’t try rubbing those ingredients on your face.
Dr. Kalimullah explained that these types of products are just too harsh and end up leading to skin irritation.
“As an alternative, I recommend using chemical exfoliants,” said Dr. Kalimullah.
Look for chemical exfoliants that containglycolic acid.
Glycolic acid is analpha hydroxy acid(AHA) that occurs naturally in milk and fruit sugars.
We usually think of alcohol as bad for our skin.
Alcohol shows up in face products because it can dry out the oil that may lead to acne.
However, there are better ways of going about that.
To compensate, our skin actually becomes more oily and prone to acne in the long run.
Cocoa butter
As a mom, I’ve heard of the wonders of cocoa butter during pregnancy.
On the plus side, I avoided those dreaded stretch marks!
However, turns out cocoa butter may not be the best choice, especially on your face.
Productsclassified as comedogenicare known to clog pores, which can lead to blemishes.
A thick substance like cocoa butter just doesn’t let your skin breathe.
Hydrocortisone cream
Hydrocortisone cream can be used to clear up irritated or severely dry skin.
However, it’s not safe for all of your skin.Dr.
Antiperspirants are great for blocking your sweat glands, but they end up blocking your pores as well.
“Use a powder deodorant as a healthy alternative!”
Doctor after doctor brought this one up, concerned about its dangerous effects on skin.
“They are the most damaging because they are too abrasive for the face’s skin.”
Crews recommended choosing a scrub that is gentler on the skin.
Tanning oil
Board certified DermatologistH.L.
Greenbergreminded me about a particularly bad product for dermatologists.
Dr. Greenberg’s only alternative to tanning oil?
“Put on sunscreen,” he said.
Cheap lotion
You know what cheap lotion looks and feels like.
It’s thin and watery, and ends up leaving your hands feeling greasy rather than moisturized.
Not only are these lotions ineffective and a waste of money, they may actually dry out your skin.
“Most lotions are oil in water and don’t moisturize well at all,” explained Dr. Greenberg.
Cellulite-reducing creams
Cellulite-reducing creams can sound pretty tempting.
Forget stressing in your bathing suit or doing a million squats every day.
Just slather on this miracle cream, and you’ll be looking good!
However, sometimes if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you decide to fight against cellulite, consult a specialist first."
Skip these creams altogether.
Not only will you be wasting your money, but they could actually discolor your skin.
Facial brushes
Much like the harsh scrubs and exfoliants, dermatologists are not fans of facial brushes.
“People tend to overdo it so you should leave that to the professionals.”
Dr. Yeretsky recommends sticking with exfoliants with tiny beads, the smaller the better to prevent scratches.
These brushes can be especially harmful and irritating if you already have sensitive skin.
“If you have rosacea or couperose this is not the solutions for you.
You must use cream-based products and do a gentle wash with your hands.”
double-check to always pay attention to the labels on your skincare products.
If you notice a new irritation or mark, get it checked out before hitting the pharmacy and guessing.
Just make the call and book the appointment.
Your skin will thank you!
