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9 Skincare Products You Don’t Need
In order to stay on top of the market, the beauty industry sells us a lot of ideas concerning our physical appearances, targeting our skincare. As vulnerable consumers, it is so easy to get swayed especially when we are constantly surrounded by these infomercials of beauty brands pitching their newest fancy set of skin care products that even promise to make your skin lighter, presented with before-and-after photos backed by influencer reviews. So, we start to question if these products are truly worth spending time, energy, and money on.
A lot of products being endorsed all over the internet may be eye-catching but are detrimental to your skin in the long run. Don’t be shocked when dermatologists warn you about these things, but worry not–here we listed some of the skincare products you should watch out for and eliminate in your daily care routine.
1. Stretch mark and cellulite creams
The beauty industry sets us up with unrealistic standards of having picture-perfect skin and making us believe we should be religiously committed to maintaining our beautifying routine. It goes without saying that so much of this pressure causes distress to women.
But despite what the media tells us, cellulite or stretch marks are entirely normal and not the result of toxins, poor circulation, or clogged lymphatics. If you’re struggling with these, don’t rush to buy the first “anti-cellulite body wash” or cellulite treatment you see.
According to a study by Neutrogena, 70% of women have cellulite. Dr. Garry S. Brody, a professor of plastic surgery at the University of Southern California, said that these are simply the natural anatomic contour characteristic of many women’s thighs and buttocks–it is unrelated to weight gain or loss. “There is absolutely no surgical or medical solution to women’s dislike of this appearance except for the psychological self-deception of wanting to believe the ads,” Brody said.
Stretch marks can be reduced when they’re still new, but they get harder to treat the older they become.
2. Makeup remover wipes
If you barely have time for an elaborate, K-beauty-inspired skincare routine, you might believe that a single pack of wet face wipes is enough for makeup removal. However, while they have their perks, these wipes barely do anything other than cause friction.
This is because a lot of alcohol and preservatives are found in these products to keep them from molding. Plus, you can’t expect a good cleansing with just a few wipes on your face—all this does is move dirt and residue around your skin, rather than wiping it off completely.
In order to achieve that deep clean for your face, a good option recommended by doctors is to use micellar water instead. Micellar water is alcohol-free and effectively removes dirt, makeup, and oil to keep your pores clear. On top of that, it does not contain any harsh chemicals (perfect for any skin type!) and contains glycerin which helps support skin hydration.
3. Peel-off charcoal masks
“Even though peel-off masks may help remove dirt and buildup from your pores, they also remove precious skin cells and even vellus hair [fine hair on your face], which can leave skin feeling raw and ripe for irritation,” says Nurse Lucy Phillips, a skin specialist and founder of Kaizen Medical. “Charcoal doesn’t discriminate when it comes to ‘detoxifying’ skin.”
In simpler terms, the wrong mask can make you more prone to sensitivity when used frequently, as the substance removes old and new cells. These reasons are also similar to why dermatologists advise against pore strips—eventually, these products will cause irritation that can make gunk reaccumulate.
Sheet masks are heavily popularized by K-beauty industries, and you might think this is a gentler option, but this is just another one of the single-use skincare products you need to avoid. If you want a safer alternative, opt for clay masks instead (especially if you have oily skin) to refine pores, prevent breakouts, and stimulate collagen production, all of which will give your face a natural radiance. Collagen helps rebuild our barrier and keep it healthy-looking. That said, we don’t recommend using them daily either, but only once or twice a week.
4. Eye Creams
Dark undereye circles are frequent concerns, especially around adults, but that expensive eye cream on your shelf won’t do much and, frankly, is a waste of money. What these creams do is moisturize the skin’s surface and therefore temporarily plump up fine lines and wrinkles due to their hydration effects–which, if you are also using a good serum or facial moisturizer, will do the trick just fine.
While there is no permanent cure to banish dark circles and fine lines, the best and sure way to maintain healthy skin—and save yourself from buying another eye cream every now and then—would be creating a shift in your lifestyle.
This includes developing healthy habits like staying away from nicotine and getting enough hours of sleep every night. Some people also decide to consult their doctors for cosmetic procedures like lasers.
For puffy eyes, a cold compress does the trick. For example, pressing cold green tea bags on your eye area will cause the caffeine and the cold to restrict blood cells. Refrigerated spoons or cold cucumber slices are also alternatives that give the same effect.
5. Cleansing devices
Despite receiving a lot of attention from regular consumers to extraordinary celebrities like Lady Gaga, it turns out that those Clarisonic electric face brushes are not as good as doctors used to think. Soon it was revealed that the devices caused breakouts and were too harsh to use.
Of course, the facial health benefits of exfoliating are what we chase after as it removes dead skin cells and clears pores, but most dermatologists would advise you to keep this practice at least once or twice a week max. Most importantly, it is better to choose chemical exfoliants rather than scrubs or brushes. Any scrubbing can damage the acid mantle, AKA the protective film of natural oils, amino acids, and sweat that covers your skin.
6. Jade rollers
We get the hype with jade rollers–who doesn’t want to have these pretty little things lying on their desks? As cute as they are, though, there is no scientific evidence to support the effects of facial massaging. They only help with depuffing, lymphatic drainage, and the likes, which our bodies can do.
However, if it gives you a sense of peace to include this in your skincare routine, or you simply want it because you believe that it works best for you—then there is no shame in that, but there is also no reason you are required to commit to it.
7. Toners
Despite the name, toner doesn’t tone the skin. What a toner is supposed to do is cleanse the face and shrink your pores while managing oiliness, which is drying if cleansers are already a part of your routine.
And if it’s not bad enough that it causes dry skin, these products we so love can have astringent properties that cause irritation. Good cleansers will do a more powerful job than a toner without completely stripping down the oil barrier that helps maintain your pH balance.
If you are still thinking about keeping a toner in your bag for that feeling of freshness and hydration, we suggest that you replace that step with a nutritive face mist spray or a very gentle toner with moisturizing factors.
8. Whitening products
Those ads you see on TV about the newest skin care products that have whitening effects are probably selling you lies. The prevalent Western beauty standards pressure a lot of Filipino women to achieve the perfect complexion, which apparently means being “fairest of them all”. Reports show that the Philippines has one of the highest rates of use of lightening products in all of Asia.
However, many of these products are laced with mercury, which may manifest more discoloration and rash. Undercover Asia discovered that more than 10 shops at a public market in Manila that were selling whitening creams were banned because of dangerous levels of mercury (as any mercury level beyond 1mg/kg is considered high).
9. Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
You have probably heard of this before. This is one of the products touted by dermatologists as a necessity for most people with sensitive skin. However, looking beyond the persuasive marketing of the Cetaphil Cleanser and closer into the ingredients, you’ll find that the product includes 3 different parabens known to cause endocrine disruption and linked to breast cancer, propylene glycol, and sodium lauryl sulfate, which is known to cause irritation.
If you’ve tried this and it works for you, then, by all means, keep using it! We’ve even recommended it in a few other blogs because of its positive effects on a lot of people. However, if you’re avoiding any of the ingredients we mentioned above, then it’s better to steer clear.
What Should You Have in Your Skincare Routine?
1. Cleansing Product
The right cleanser can make a gigantic difference in your complexion. But it’s key to find the perfect one for your type, which is why we also made a guide to finding the right cleanser for your skincare regimen.
2. Moisturizers (or Hydrating Serums like Hyaluronic Acid)
Whether it’s a super thick moisturizer or a hyaluronic acid serum loaded with antioxidants, one of the skincare products that will protect your barrier from damage is a good moisturizer.
3. Sunscreen with SPF 30+ or higher
Sun damage is a huge contributor to a lot of the problems our face deals with, so don’t even think about skipping this step. A great product to add in conjunction with your sunscreen is a Vitamin C serum – however, if we only had to pick one, the Vitamin C serums will have to go. Sunscreen for life.
4. Anti-Acne Treatments for Oily Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, it’s a given that spot treatments should be part of your skincare arsenal. Stuff like salicylic acid and even exfoliants like glycolic acid serums can help regulate oil production.
Final Note
The truth is, you don’t need those four different skin care serums or creams for every part of your body. While those luxurious products claim to show instant results, we have all the reason to be skeptical of what we put on our faces.
Rather than draining your bank account to fill up your shelves with various bottles of beauty products you might never get to use (or could cause more harm!), give your mind and wallet a rest by avoiding these products to simplify your beauty routine instead. After all, less is more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to not have a skincare routine?
Whether you have a normal complexion or not, maintaining a routine is necessary to keep your face clean and healthy. It can be something as simple as washing your face twice a day and wearing sunscreen.
What is the most important skincare product?
It’s a huge misconception that you need a 10-step regimen to look radiant. The truth is, a facial wash, moisturizer, and sunblock are enough (if you don’t have any issues that require prescription drugs, about which you should talk to a dermatologist). Experts agree that sunblock is the most crucial component.
