Overly-Hyped Skincare Products to Avoid
As beauty brands and influencers continue to promote new products, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype – especially when it comes to skincare. But not all products are created equal. In fact, some of the most popular skincare products can actually do more harm than good. Here’s what you need to know about the overly-hyped skincare products that you should avoid at all costs.
Harsh Physical Exfoliators & Scrubs
Exfoliation is key for healthy skin, but there’s a limit to how much you should exfoliate. If your go-to scrub is too harsh on your skin, it can damage your skin instead of helping it look healthier. Over-exfoliating also weakens your skin barrier, leaving you vulnerable to bacteria and other external factors that could lead to breakouts or irritation. Instead of using a harsh physical exfoliator or scrub, opt for a gentle chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid once or twice a week maximum and supplement with a mild physical scrub if desired.
Makeup Removing Wipes
Makeup removing wipes are convenient when you don’t have access to a sink, but they’re not ideal for regular use. Not only do they contain a lot of preservatives and alcohol which can dry out your skin, but they also cause friction and rubbing which can leave skin feeling raw and irritated over time. If possible, stick to using an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser as part of your double cleansing routine before bedtime instead of makeup removing wipes as they are gentler on your skin while still efficiently removing makeup and dirt from the day.
Alcohol-Based Face Toners
Most face toners contain alcohol as one of their main ingredients because alcohol helps remove excess oil from the surface of the skin, making them popular among people with oily/combination skin who want an immediate mattifying effect on their complexion. However, alcohol-based toners tend to be very drying for any type of skin, and even oily skin can get dehydrated, which might actually increase oil production. If your skin is on the drier side and you're looking for something hydrating, try opting for hydrating or moisturizing toners. These formulas are generally gentle enough even for sensitive skin types, yet still give you the same benefits such as restoring pH balance and prepping your face for serums and moisturizers afterward.
Charcoal Face Masks
Charcoal has become increasingly popular in recent years due in part thanks to its detoxifying properties; however many charcoal masks simply don't live up to their claims. Most charcoal-infused masks have too little charcoal powder in them to actually have any detoxifying effects. Also, any pore shrinkage after using these masks is only temporary, as impurities will eventually make their way back into pores, if they aren’t removed properly through consistent daily cleansing and exfoliation. Plus, charcoal masks can be way too drying for sensitive, mature, or dry skin types. If you still love the purifying feeling of a face mask, opt for soothing clay masks as they are better at absorbing dirt, oil, and bacteria from deep within the pores without irritating or over-drying your skin.
Cellulite Body Creams
Cellulite body creams claim to reduce cellulite by “tightening” the appearance of dimpled areas; however these creams don't actually work because cellulite is caused by fat deposits beneath our skin rather than loose tissue so tightening doesn't help reduce cellulite's appearance in any way - no matter how expensive or well marketed these creams may be! The best way to reduce cellulite's appearance is through proper dieting + exercising + drinking lots of water regularly - not expensive body creams!
Conclusion
It can be hard navigating through all the hype around skincare products – especially since influencers rarely provide accurate information about what really works and what doesn’t really work at all! Now that you know which overly hyped skincare products that you should avoid, we hope this gives you more confidence when shopping online or scrolling through social media feeds looking for new products! Keep in mind that everyone's skins needs are different, so if you have easily reactive skin, always consult with your dermatologist before trying out any new product just to be safe.
