I’m a skin doctor – here’s 7 common skincare ‘cures’ that are HARMING your health from scrubs to wipes
WHETHER we’ve got a spot brewing or we’re obsessing over our nose pores, many of us will trawl the internet searching for quick fixes for our skin.
And while these might help out temporarily, these ‘cures’ could be doing your skin a lot more harm than good.
According to skin doctor and cosmetic formulator at SkincarebyDrV, Dr Vanita Rattan: “What you put on your face each day can make a big difference to your skin’s appearance.”
There are products that are “too harsh, too abrasive or contain toxic ingredients”, so it’s important to know what to avoid so they don’t damage your skin, Dr Rattan said.
“With all the products on the market, it’s hard to keep track of what you should and shouldn’t be putting on your face. But here are some no-go’s to avoid skin damage.”
The skin doctor detailed seven skincare ‘cures’ it’s best to steer well clear of.
1. Makeup Wipes
Makeup wipes can be super handy for removing your makeup at the end of a long day – except they don’t actually remove as much of the cosmetics and grime on your skin as you think.
Dr Rattan said “they don’t really clean your skin”.
Instead, “they tend to spread around dirt and grime, while irritating your skin in the process”.
Many of us also make the mistake of scrubbing at our face when we’re using the wipes too, which can make our skin red and inflamed skin and lead to early wrinkles, according to the skin doctor.
“Using makeup wipes too often can dehydrate your skin, as they remove the natural oils on your face,” Dr Rattan added.
“They are full of preservatives, chemicals and artificial fragrances which can aggravate your skin.”
If that’s not enough to deter you, there’s also the fact that makeup removal wipes contribute to environmental damage, “as many are made with non-biodegradable plastic and synthetic fibres which clog our sewers, line our beaches and fill wastelands”, the skin doctor noted.
She had the following suggestion instead: “To remove makeup effectively and leave skin feeling supple, use an oil melting cleanser followed by a micellar gel wash instead.”
2. Pore Strips
Dr Rattan said: “People love pore strips due to the satisfaction of peeling away the dirt, debris, and blackheads from the nose.
“However, the effects don’t last and aren’t worth it, as pore strips aren’t powerful enough to clean pores.”
On top of that, these seemingly handy strips can contain alcohol and other chemicals that are harmful to the skin and can further irritate it too.
“Instead of using pore strips, focus on the underlying issue that causes open pores on the face – enlarged pores, overactive sweat glands, and sun damage,” the skin doctor advised.
She suggested you don a zinc oxide SPF 50 sunscreen daily and speak to your dermatologist about the best skincare range to improve elastin and collagen in your skin, which can help close your pores over time.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
“Apple cider vinegar has become popular as a home remedy for acne, blemish scars, and age spots,” according to Dr Rattan, with users claiming it also helps remove moles.
But Dr Rattan stressed that “DIY skincare is unregulated and apple cider vinegar is an extremely harsh, acidic ingredient to be using on your face.”
She went on: “Long-term use of undiluted apple cider vinegar can corrode your face, causing permanent damage to the skin.”
And you shouldn’t be leaving the substance on your skin for long periods of time, nor should you use it to treat wounds, moles, or infections as it could burn your skin, the skin doctor said.
“Instead, for reduction of hyperpigmentation on the face, including
melasma, which may have developed over time from UV damage, use a doctor backed facial pigmentation kit instead,” she advised.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda is very cheap, so it can be tempting to use it rather than spend money on acid exfoliants.
But Dr Rattan said: “Whilst baking soda is a natural antiseptic with antibacterial properties, it should be treated as a harmful chemical for the face.
“Baking soda is an alkaline, so can change the PH of the skin, damage the top layer of your skin barrier which can invite bacteria into the skin.
“If you’re using such a harsh chemical in your facial scrubs or masks, you risk burning your skin, increasing redness and inflammation via over exfoliation.”
5. Coconut Oil on Acne Prone Skin
Coconut oil can be wonderful to apply to dry skin, Dr Rattan said, but you should probably avoid it if you’re suffering from acne
This is because “coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4/5, which means it has a high likelihood of clogging the pores if you have acne-prone skin”, the skin doc explained.
Instead, she suggested you use a lightweight gel face wash with actives like salicylic acid to unclog the pores and niacinamide to control sebum (oil production).
6. Walnut Scrubs
You might think exfolliating your skin roughly is the best way to avoid blemishes or slough off dry skin.
One product you might turn to are walnut face scrubs, which are made from the shells of walnuts and contain small particles that work to remove dead skin cells.
But Dr Rattan warned: “While exfoliating the skin removes dead cells from its surface, too much exfoliation can cause skin damage and small tears on the face.
“Walnut scrubs strip the skin from its moisture and can lead to dryness or even peeling. Your skin can become so sensitive and damaged after over-exfoliation that it can easily become inflamed.”
Far from what you originally intended, “this inflammation can then lead to an acne breakout,” the skin doctor went on to say.
“Instead use a blemish exfoliator that is suitable for sensitive skin and recommended by dermatologists.”
7. Facial Cleansing Brushes
Finally, Dr Rattan said facial cleaning brushes are another skin ‘fix’ you might want to be careful of.
“A facial cleansing brush is a handheld or battery-operated device that gently exfoliates the skin and effectively cleanses it of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells,” she explained.
“When used with an effective facial cleanser, a facial cleansing brush can remove pore-clogging impurities and improve blood circulation in the face.
“However, they are definitely not right for everyone and also, unnecessary to add to your skincare routine. Most people use facial cleansing brushes incorrectly by using it every day, choosing a brush that is too firm, or choosing the wrong setting which over stimulates the skin.
“This can lead to over exfoliation, which can disrupt the skins barrier, causing it to become easily dehydrated and inflamed.”
Dr Rattan concluded: “My advice would be to avoid the facial cleansing brushes and stick to your hands.”