Having an excellent facial skincare routine can be essential for maintaining supple, beautiful skin as you age. Knowing how important it can be, you might be tempted to try many new fad products to hit the market, offering smooth and flawless skin.
While there’s no denying that there are many standout skincare products for sale to take your beauty regime to the next level, there are also some that might do more harm than good. If you want to take good care of your skin, here are a few skincare products you might want to avoid.
Healthy Skin Firming Cream
Experienced law firms like Chaffin Luhana LLP injury lawyers are no stranger to dangerous and defective product lawsuits, and one of the more recent cases involves a skincare product by Neutrogena called Healthy Skin Firming Cream with Broad Spectrum (SPF 15).
A proposed class action filed in December 2021 alleges that this particular product ‘is defective in that it is contaminated with benzophenone.’ Benzophenone is a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor and has been known to cause contact dermatitis, hives, skin redness, and photoinduced dermatitis. It is also listed under Proposition 65 in California as cancer-causing.
Facial Brushes
Facial brushes are a lifeline for many time-poor people who want to quickly remove makeup and dead skin cells. They are easy to use, require very little care, and many people experience benefits such as clearer skin, even skin tone, and pore size reduction.
While you may not need to avoid facial brushes altogether, it doesn’t hurt to know that they are a skincare product you shouldn’t overuse. Excessive use may result in skin dryness, broken capillaries, sensitivity, and redness. If you’re going to use facial brushes, reduce how frequently you rely on them and clean them often with soap and water.
Abrasive Scrubs With Fruit Pits
When you’re trying to achieve younger, smoother skin to feel better about yourself, you might be tempted to try a scrub product with an abrasive element like aluminum oxide, polyethylene beads, or even ground-up fruit pits. While your skin might feel smooth after using such a product, they may not all be as good for your skin as you think.
According to studies, scrub products with ground fruit pits and aluminum oxide aren’t recommended for people with sensitive skin. One study noted that ‘the irritant effects and/or damage to SC functional integrity caused by physical abrading caused by scrubbing must be considered, as this is likely to augment the potential for cutaneous irritation…’ The study also suggested alternative scrub options, such as towelettes and non-woven cleansing cloths.
Facial Wipes
Facial wipes, wet wipes, and makeup wipes are often advertised as a fast, easy, and effective way to clean your skin before and after applying makeup. While they might leave your face feeling fresh and clean, the wipe material coarseness and the natural oil-stripping moisture might not be doing your skin any favors.
If you have sensitive skin or use wipes frequently, you might experience dry, irritated, and flaky skin that even the makeup you were trying to remove in the first place might not easily hide. There’s also the environmental factor to consider since some wet wipe types are a source of fiber microplastic pollution.
Many manufacturers use materials made of plastic fibers, which break down into microplastic fibers that pose a threat to ecological security. Consider alternative options such as reusable cloths with cleansing products like micellar cleansing water or coconut oil to protect your skin and the environment.
Pore Strips
We’re always looking for ways to prevent acne and blackheads, and many people are experiencing great success with pore strips. When you peel them off your nose, you’re often presented with a thick strip of gunk that was previously built up inside your pores.
While satisfying and effective, pore strips aren’t for everyone, especially people with sensitive skin. If they contain alcohol, astringents, and other irritating ingredients, you might experience irritation. Some people have also noticed that pore strips aggravate skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
If you have skin sensitivities and are concerned about the impact that pore strips might have, there are other effective options worth your consideration. Cleaning your skin daily and some over-the-counter topical remedies might be the answer you’re looking for.
How to Look After Your Skin Naturally
While there are many standout products on the market to make your skin look and feel at its best, you don’t always need manufactured products to benefit from healthy-looking skin. Instead, you might simply need to do some of the following things.
Eat Well
A healthy diet is important for many reasons, but you may be surprised to learn that some foods look after your skin better than others. For example, the antioxidants within strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and dark chocolate, are known to neutralize free radicals that can cause skin damage. Omega-3 fatty acids are also crucial for skin health, and these can be found in fatty fish, plant oils, nuts, and seeds.
Wash Your Face
Washing your face can be an effective way to remove dirt and oil that builds up during the day. Use gentle, natural cleansers without harmful sulfates and refrain from using hot water, which can strip your natural oils.
Get Enough Sleep
Our bodies need plenty of time to restore and repair themselves, and they do this while we sleep. Give your body the best chance to produce more collagen by getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.
It’s never easy choosing skincare products, especially when you’re not sure how your skin will react or whether a product will end up being dangerous. However, now that you know which products may affect your skin more than others, you may be better positioned to make healthier choices for your body.
