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Every time you open TikTok or Instagram Reels to check out your favorite beauty influencers, it can feel like there’s always one more step to add to your skincare routine — not to mention you can spend more money on another viral product.
Some experts recommend double cleansing, while others recommend washing your face only at night. How about using an eye and face cream, or coffee grounds to exfoliate?
But, at the end of the day, is all this really necessary? To help cut through the chaos, FEMAIL has enlisted a group of dermatologists and estheticians to reveal what to spend your money on and what it’s just cash on.
With the skincare industry offering a wider (and more expensive) range of products than ever, it can be difficult to distinguish between an effective moisturizer and a fancy lotion.
FEMAIL spoke to several dermatologists and estheticians, including Sofie Pavitt (left) and Dr. Dendy Engelman (right) to find out what skincare habits you can ditch.
Dermatologists Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky (left) and Dr. Richard Bottiglione also spoke at FEMAIL
First it was snail mucin, then rosemary oil and, most recently, there has been a huge increase in the number of young girls, dubbed ‘Sephora tweens’, slathering on expensive brand-name skin care products. like Drunk Elephant and Sol de Janeiro everywhere. their faces and bodies.
Kourtney Kardashian’s 11-year-old daughter Penelope even gained viral fame in December after showing off her $500 beauty routine, and experts later warned that such a complex line of products was probably doing more harm than good to her young skin.
So, in a bid to save your face (and your wallet), this panel of experts has broken down exactly which skincare steps they consider essential and which fad rituals can be ignored.
Be careful not to wash or clean your face too much.
A common habit to watch out for is over-cleansing or washing your face, said Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, better known as @dermguru on social media, he told DailyMail.com.
While it may seem like you can eliminate your blemishes with the newest cleanser, that’s simply not the case.
While it may seem like you can remove your blemishes with the perfect cleanser, that’s simply not the case (stock image)
‘Many people think they can remove acne or skin texture with a wash or scrub. Actually, this type of skin needs to be treated carefully,” he explained to DailyMail.com.
“For most people, you only need to cleanse once or twice a day or after sweating.”
Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman from the Shafer Clinic in New York recommends cleansing in the morning, especially if you are using retinol the night before.
“Morning cleansing is definitely necessary if you use retinol the night before, as it can cause sun sensitivity, or if you exercise in the morning to remove oil and buildup on the skin’s surface,” she said.
Say goodbye to your 10-step skincare routine: Here’s what you really need
While you may feel pressured to apply every serum, cream, and oil you can use, according to experts, it’s really best to get back to the basics; Plus, it will save you some money.
Dr. Richard Bottiglione, founder of Dermatologist-chosen skin careShe told DailyMail.com that she didn’t need an extensive skincare routine, nor did she need to try every new product that comes on the market.
“In my opinion, most skincare ingredients have very little value,” Dr. Bottiglione explained to DailyMail.com.
‘Skincare is a personal thing. Find what works for you and your skin, not what’s trendy.
Esthetician based in New York City Sofia Pavitt She’s also seen her clients overload on products and not use those that address their specific skin concerns.
“The perfect example is tretinoin – everyone wants to use it, but it’s intense and can be very irritating,” Pavitt, founder of the eponymous skincare brand Sofie Pavitt, told DailyMail.com.
“It may be better to use a commercially available retinol product rather than an RX version,” she shared.
Pavitt also recommends clients use only one active ingredient in skin care, applied after cleansing.
For a standard skincare routine, all you need are a few products.
Dr. Bottiglione recommends using a cleanser, toner, exfoliant, and moisturizer, while Dr. Engelman suggests something similar: a double cleansing system, a toning and active treatment, and a moisturizer.
“After double cleansing, I recommend using a toner that is more suitable for your skin type and focuses on your needs, whether it’s lightening, hydrating and/or brightening,” Dr Dendy told DailyMail.com.
“Then you can start with an active treatment; the most common one I recommend for a nighttime routine is a form of vitamin A.”
“If you have very dry, sensitive (skin) or have inflammation (eczema, psoriasis, etc.), it may be too difficult to over-cleanse the skin; however, twice a day in most cases should not be a problem. problem,” Dr. Engelman told DailyMail.com
Different skin types may abandon certain practices, such as double cleansing
Of course, there are some different protocols for different skin types, according to dermatologists.
If you suffer from dry skin, things like double cleansing may not be right for your skin, according to Dr. Zubritsky.
“I would also consider avoiding aggressive exfoliation, or at least minimizing it,” she explained. “Toners are also optional.”
It is also important to avoid over-cleansing your skin if you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema.
“If you have very dry, sensitive (skin) or have inflammation (eczema, psoriasis, etc.), it may be too difficult to over-cleanse the skin; however, twice a day in most cases should not be a problem. problem,” Dr. Engelman told DailyMail.com.
And, for people with oily skin, Dr. Zubritsky recommended staying away from slugging, in which people use a petroleum-based ointment like Vaseline instead of a moisturizer, as well as skin care oils. .
She also noted that people with oily skin can “consider moisturizing just once a day.”
Security First! Ditch DIY Home Treatments: They Can Pose a Serious Risk
While increasing at-home skin care treatments may seem easy enough to achieve, it is best to avoid them as they can cause infections, according to Dr. Dendy.
“Some of the DIY trends, like pore vacuuming and at-home microneedling, I would advise against and advise going to a professional office,” Dr Dendy told DailyMail.com.
He explained that some of these at-home treatments were not regulated or approved by the FDA, which meant they can be “unsafe and unreliable.”
“Homemade microneedles can cause infections, irritation, microtears and scarring of the skin,” the doctor warned.
Dr. Zubritsky also mentioned using ice on the skin as another possible danger at home.
On social media, some swear by applying ice directly to the face to reduce swelling in the morning, but the dermatologist doesn’t like it.
“In theory, applying ice to the skin can help reduce inflammation and redness, but applying ice directly to the skin, as seen on TikTok, can cause more harm than good,” the Mississippi doctor told DailyMail.com .
Instead of performing DIY treatments like microneedling at home, Dr. Dendy recommends having a professional perform the treatment.
“Applying ice directly to the skin can cause barrier damage, worsening redness and possible burning,” he added.
And, with summer right around the corner, Dr. Zubritsky also warned against “sunscreen contouring,” a practice in which people only apply sunscreen to certain parts of the face to achieve a “sunscreen look.” contoured” with a tan.
The goal is to be able to achieve a natural contour and go without makeup; However, the dermatologist says it is one of the “most dangerous trends” she has seen on social media.
“No amount of sun exposure or tanning is safe for our skin,” he warned. “Over time, this can lead to photodamage and an increased risk of skin cancer.”