5 Popular Beauty Products Dermatologists Do NOT Recommend
Foundation. Illuminators. Vibrant colors. Natural lipstick. Illuminators again.
I think at this point the beauty industry is so large, us amateurs can’t even make out the difference between good and bad products. We also live in the revolutionary era of influencers where each has their personal favorites they can swear by.
Who should we follow after all? How do we know what truly works for us?
I mean, Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop seems reputable and trustworthy – but we shouldn’t swish expensive coconut oil in our mouths for 20 minutes daily, should we? (This is literally what her beauty gurus advertise these days)
Luckily, dermatologists are also a powerful voice in the virtual world of beauty, and they’re ready to speak up for the sake of our health (and wallet).
Today, we’ll explore 5 of the most popular beauty products which experts do not recommend. Let’s have a look:
#1: Expensive cleansers
We use cleansers on a daily basis to remove makeup, dirt or other impurities that gather on our face during the day. However, this product only stays on our skin for a very short time after which we wash our face thoroughly.
In other words, Santa Monica based dermatologist Christine Choi Kim says there’s no need to spend a fortune on ‘miraculous’ cleansers. In fact, facial cleansing brushes can do a much better job at cleaning your pores in a deep, gentle manner.
Cleansing brushes like this one, for example, offer multiple brush heads depending on your skin sensitivity and preferences – and trust me, they can become your self-care best friend in no time!
#2: ‘Trendy’ anti-aging items
From snake venom to products containing stem cells, we’ve seen some pretty wild anti-aging product trends come and go over the past few years. While these fancy ingredients may seem interesting (to say the least!), they only take your money without any real benefits.
If you’re looking for something truly effective, look for these two words: retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). These substances boost your collagen production while delaying the appearance of fine lines.
According to Dr. Kim, a product rich in these ingredients along with plain sunscreen are the ideal recipe to drop years from your face.
#3: Anti-cellulite creams
If there’s something everyone should know about cellulite, it’s this:
‘Cellulite is a complex biologic process that no cream can currently correct.’ – David Bank, New York-based dermatologist
If you’re lucky enough to find a high-quality cellulite product, it will hydrate your skin and smooth the appearance of cellulite at most. In fact, even those beneficial effects are only temporary.
A better way to disguise your cellulite (again, temporarily) is to use a healthy, subtle self-tanner. Bank explains that a darker skin tone can diminish ‘shadows’ created by the texture your skin gets from cellulite.
#4: Stretch mark products
If one can barely get rid of cellulite, stretch marks are even harder to eliminate from your skin.
Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, has a very logical explanation: if all those ‘miraculous’ stretch mark creams worked, nobody would have stretch marks at all!
This isn’t even a matter of product quality: stretch marks are such a deep skin modification that no cream can entirely eliminate them. Researchers have found that the only way to get results is by using prescription retinoids for six months on a daily basis. However, even this treatment only reduces the appearance of stretch marks a little.
#5: Pore-shrinking items
A honest manufacturer will always tell you that their pore-shrinking products actually minimize the appearance of your pores by filling in the gaps with silicone-based products.
But we know many manufacturers nowadays are anything but honest.
According to Dr. Kim, your pore size is actually determined by genetics, which means there’s nothing you can do to prevent or shrink enlarged pores for good. Once again, products rich in retinoids or AHAs may be beneficial temporarily – but they can’t work wonders either.
Overall, choosing the right beauty products and having realistic expectations is a time-consuming, often overwhelming task. However, staying informed is the first step towards staying healthy and beautiful at reasonable costs.
Looking for more useful beauty content? Try our posts below:
- How to Treat Fine Lines Around the Eyes (+ Prevention)
- 8 Ways to Protect Your Skin from the Side Effects of Wearing a Face Mask!
- Perfect Skincare Guide During Coronavirus Self-Isolation
