What can we do without? · Makeup wipes · Topical collagen · Facial cleansing devices · Eye contour cream · Detachable face masks and night masks. The fastest way to improve the appearance of the skin is to clean it properly. While makeup wipes are practical and useful in situations where we don't have time or access to the bathroom, they can be rough and abrasive to the skin and cause irritation or even microtears. In addition, although they seem to eliminate makeup and impurities, all they do is move the dirt instead of removing it, leaving a lot of residue that may not be visible to the naked eye, but that could damage our skin. It's best to choose a gentle cleanser with water or micellar water, which is more effective at removing makeup and has less impact on the skin.
Do facial cleansing devices provide deeper skin cleansing? Not necessarily. In fact, in some cases, hard brushes and excessive use can be harmful, as they can damage surface layers and compromise the function and health of the skin barrier. The negative result is dry, irritated and sensitive skin. Most experts prefer exfoliating acids, but they agree that using your hands is more than enough and facial cleansing devices are a waste of money. By choosing products with these components, you eliminate the need to use additional tonics and extras that often do more harm than good.
She says you can probably skip the toning step. Dr. Taylor said toners were developed as a follow-up step to cleansing from the old days. Back then, cleansers contained alkaline soaps that left residue on the skin and had a high pH, which could cause irritation, dryness and skin rashes. If you have dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, toners may dry out your skin and cause a burning and stinging sensation, Dr.
Taylor said. However, some are formulated with ingredients that can help treat certain skin problems, such as moisturizing ingredients or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). Peggy Chen, a dermatologist from New Plymouth, said we should give a wide margin to skin whitening creams. They are marketed on the grounds that they can reduce pigmentation caused by acne, sunspots and age spots, and even overall skin color. Many big brands also market whitening creams and, according to Dr.
Chen, most contain acids such as salicylic and azelaic, which can irritate sensitive skin. Louise Reiche, a dermatologist at Palmerston North, believes it's time to give up facial wipes, for the sake of our skin, our pocketbook and the planet. He said that they often contain fragrances, which can cause irritation, as well as preservatives. Has there ever been a fall from grace as big and forceful as that of the iconic apricot scrub from St.
Ives? We don't think so. If you still want the freshly polished feel of a physical exfoliator, look instead for hydrogenated jojoba balls or soft corn kernels. The dangers of excessive exfoliation are real, and dermatologists say that, at most, you should exfoliate once or twice a week. Even if your particular skin can withstand the abrasiveness and alcohol content of facial wipes, it may be time to give up this environmentally harmful habit.
That said, you should never go to sleep with your makeup on, so why not keep a bottle of micellar water and a reusable cloth on your nightstand for easy access? The combination is skin-friendly and environmentally friendly. Just make sure to do a deep cleaning in the morning. Three of them are potentially carcinogenic parabens, although some studies indicate that there is little evidence to suggest that parabens are a danger to health. Experts say that a single application may not be the worst thing in the world, but the consistent use of any detachable face mask could cause some unpleasant side effects.
Instead, opt for a clay mask (which you can easily make yourself) to help absorb excess oil. Stay safe out there, skincare lovers. About how ingredient lists and tools like InciDecoder help me protect myself and free myself from feeling bad for loving skin care. In the famous Korean 10-step skincare routine, this is the last product applied to the face, after a coat of essences, serums, and blisters.
Despite appearances, the ingredient lists of the cheapest products are often similar to those of high-end products. In addition, make sure to properly store all your skincare products in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight. That said, you can keep 2 bottles of cleaner open at a time and have an additional 1 or 2 unopened bottles on hand for when you run out without running the risk of the products expire. As a general rule, most skin care products have a shelf life of about 1 year when opened or 2 years unopened.
But do they work? Skin care products that contain collagen don't affect the skin's deeper collagen levels because the collagen molecules are actually too large to penetrate beyond the top layer of the skin. Instead, Dr. Ann-Maree recommends using over-the-counter retinoids, which have been shown to stimulate collagen production, or, if you're willing to splurge, opting for Fraxel laser treatment. Now is also a good time to get rid of any product that may be within its shelf life but contains pore-clogging ingredients.
To help you with this, be sure to check out my list of ingredients that clog pores. Ideally, you should formulate your skincare routine with only those essential products that have been scientifically proven effective. While many skincare products have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months, it makes sense to stock up and save on those favorites. Moisturize if you have dry skin, use a gel or foam-based product for oily skin, and choose fragrance-free products for sensitive skin.
Ives and its parent company, Unilever, claim that the crushed nut particles on which the exfoliation product was based actually caused micro-tears in the skin, causing infections and general irritation. So, in the spirit of conscious beauty consumerism, I spoke to dermatologist Dr. Ann-Maree Kurzydlo, a member of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, about all the skincare products you don't need.
