Skincare Products To Avoid
I spend *a lot* of time talking about and recommending my favorite skincare products and techniques, but as an esthetician and skincare enthusiast, there are products that I would not use.
Today I’m breaking down my skincare don’t list, the products I try to avoid, and think you should steer clear of.
Products To Never Put On Your Face
As the age-old question goes: just because your friend does it, does that mean you should? When it comes to skincare, the answer is, no. Just because something is trendy and everyone seems to be using it, does not mean it is going to be good for your skin.
Exfoliators To Avoid
Everyone loved it for a minute {okay, maybe it was longer than that}. Then everyone hated it. Now I have to look away when I see this product on the shelves at Target.
The St. Ives Apricot Scrub was previously a popular exfoliator. St. Ives uses crushed walnut particles in this product to provide exfoliation. Still, these particles are a bit too abrasive and end up causing micro-tears in the skin, leading to infection and irritation.
Your skin is delicate, and should be treated as such! If you’re looking for a product that will leave you with that perfectly clean and exfoliated feel, I recommend the Mandelic Perfecting Polish as a weekly exfoliator. This product is non-abrasive, but strong enough to eliminate cellular buildup and smooth any texture on the face.
Skincare Tools To Avoid
The Clarisonic Face Brush was another fan favorite. This is another product that is sadly, too abrasive for the skin. While this brush is advertised as a “sonic cleanser”, the firm bristles and vibration of the brush used to cleanse the skin, cause excessive exfoliation. I recommend exfoliating up to 3 times per week - and using this brush twice a day, goes way beyond that.
Skincare Products To Avoid
Another product I don’t recommend: Pimple Patches. The concept seems like an easy enough solution for breakouts, pop on a little pimple patch and let it sit to pull out all the pore-clogging oils and gunk under the skin’s surface.
While they do help you avoid touching breakouts, the pimple patches themselves may be causing more irritation than they are worth. Sticking and removing patches onto an already irritating part of your face, can leave your skin with micro tears and open up to even more irritation.
For breakouts, I would avoid touching them and be patient. There’s no quick fix for a breakout {just products that can help the healing process}. If a brand promises you otherwise, it’s likely too good to be true.
Makeup Removers To Avoid
Another too good to be true: face wipes for makeup removal.
When used regularly, makeup remover wipes can cause too much friction and even tear the skin, especially when used to wipe makeup off around the delicate eye area. They also contain some ingredients that are not great to be putting on your face regularly, like alcohol and preservatives.
I stand by the double cleanse method for makeup removal, and I recommend getting rid of the makeup wipes for good.
Best Skincare Products To Use
If you are a fan of any of the products on the “don’t” list, I recommend transitioning to some of the products below:
Recommended Skincare Cleansers
Skincare cleansers come in all shapes and sizes, and vary greatly based on skin type and skincare goals.
Some of my favorite cleansers that work well on all skin types are the Rhonda Allison Soothing Gel Cleanse and the Rhonda Allison Luxe Cleansing Balm. The soothing gel-cleanse lathers up nicely, leaving skin feeling squeaky clean. It uses an all-natural herbal essence of Citrus Gel to soothe sensitive skin and provides irritated skin with calming benefits.
The luxe cleansing balm works perfectly as a cleanser for your double-cleanse. The oil-based formula works to remove any heavy makeup and buildup that is left on the surface of the skin. It will also work to hydrate and nourish the skin, with antioxidant support and soothing botanicals.
Best Products For Breakouts
Breakouts can be caused by many factors. But overall, the buildup of bacteria, oils, and other debris on the surface of the skin, can penetrate the pores and cause pesky breakouts and irritation.
Some of us may be more prone to breakouts than others. Luckily there are products designed to suit acne-prone skin. If you’re a newly reformed, former pimple-patch lover, here are my recommendations for replacements that can be used to soothe breakouts:
All-Purpose Tonic Clarifying Wipes: The blend of Salicylic Acid and Totarol in these wipes helps reduce any buildup on the surface of the skin, and leave the skin feeling refreshed. These “wipes” are more like cleansing pads, and will be more delicate on the skin, leaving you feeling refreshed without any irritation like a traditional cleansing wipe might do. I recommend keeping these in your purse while on the go! They can also be great for teens!
Rhonda Allison Blemish Serum: This clarifying serum is powerful enough to be used as a spot treatment, but gentle enough that it can be used as a serum on the skin. A blend of natural ingredients supports problematic skin conditions gently but effectively, helping clear up blemishes and rid the skin of blemish-causing buildup.
Best Product For Makeup Removal
If you’re looking for a solution to remove your makeup with ease, but want to avoid the irritation of a face wipe, I recommend trying the Jane Iredale Face Cleanser. This Micellaire cleansing water will quickly remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the surface of the skin, while also providing antioxidant-rich benefits.
The vitamin-rich Liposome formula works to remove impurities without drying out the skin, and will leave your skin feeling clean and ready for the next step in your skincare routine.
For my Clarisonic face brush fans, switching to a gentler facial cleansing tool that doesn’t have bristles and quite as much vibration will help your skin feel less irritated but just as clean. The tried and true FOREO facial cleansing brush will leave you feeling just as fresh, without any of the harmful side effects. & yes, I use the FOREO for all of my clients when you schedule a treatment with Gameela Skin!