Skincare products have become incredibly popular over the last few years, and with how persuasive social media marketing can be, it has become much harder to identify what you actually need. It is important that you take all advertisements with a grain of salt and ensure that you do thorough research before making any skincare purchases. Over the years, I have learnt and unlearnt a lot about skincare, and many of the misconceptions that I had are still common among people today. Here are five skincare “essentials” that are not as essential as they may seem.
1. High-SPF Sunscreen
Sunscreen is arguably the most important part of your skincare routine and should be applied whenever you plan on leaving the house no matter where you live, how cloudy it is, or how much melanin is present in your skin. However, there is a common misconception that your sunscreen needs to have the highest possible sun protection factor (SPF) for your skin to be truly protected from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, and this is simply not true. SPF 15 blocks out about 94% of the UV rays, SPF 30 blocks out 97%, SPF 50 blocks out 98%, and SPF 100 blocks out 99%. As you can see, there is very little difference between the protection that you receive from each of these. Just ensure that your sunscreen contains at least SPF 15; that should be good enough for you to apply before stepping outdoors.
2. Expensive Products
While it is true that you get what you pay for when it comes to most things, this idea does not apply to exorbitantly expensive skincare products. When it comes to luxury purchases, it is a well-known and well-accepted fact that you are essentially paying for the name of the brand. This is fine when it comes to other things, but when you are buying products that you intend to apply to your skin, your priority should only be what works best for your skin with the highest efficiency. This means that more affordable brands are likely to work just as well as—if not better than—luxury skincare brands. Just make sure that you examine the list of ingredients and check reviews online to see if the product is suitable to your skin’s needs before you buy anything.
3. Make-up Remover
It is extremely important that you remove all make-up and cleanse your skin well at the end of the night. However, many popular make-up removing products on the market are actually damaging in the long run, especially those that contain alcohol, which dries out your skin. Make-up removing wipes, especially, require you to scrub your skin pretty harshly, and they are terrible for the environment. Micellar water is a better and cleaner alternative, and there are oil-infused versions for waterproof makeup. Getting a bottle of micellar water with a pack of cotton pads is much more cost-effective and will last you longer.
An even better alternative to this would be cleansing oils/balms, as those do not require cotton pads or wipes. Cleansing oils and balms make use of emollients to break down make-up and impurities, and you only need to rinse your face with water after massaging it into your skin. People with oilier skin generally tend to prefer cleansing balms over oils.
4. Pore Strips
While pore strips are a quick and easy method to deal with blackheads right before an important event, they can damage your skin with prolonged use and make your pores appear to be larger. They only remove a superficial layer of sebum, dead skin, dirt, etc., and they tend to irritate dry and sensitive skin. They can also aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea and psoriasis. Try to avoid pore strips and other products that are similarly aggressive to your skin. Using natural clay masks and maintaining a good exfoliation routine is a better way to keep your skin and pores feeling fresh, soft, and clean.
5. Facial Masks
Facial masks can serve as a really nice pick-me-up once in a while, but they are not necessary for healthy skin. You do not need to have a giant collection of cream, peel-off and sheet masks to ensure that you are taking care of your skin. All you need to do is build and maintain a consistent skincare routine that nourishes your skin but does not suffocate it. Using a facial mask every now and then can be relaxing for your skin, but it cannot substitute for a good skincare routine.
When it comes to skincare, the most important thing is figuring out what your skin needs and taking special care of those needs. The skincare routine of someone who has dry skin and is and prone to sunburns would be different from that of someone with oily and acne-prone skin. Your routine needs to cater to you. Take your time and find out what makes your skin feel good. Then, build your personal routine and try to stick to it as much as you can. Consistency is key to achieving long-term results. Remember that you do not need to own luxury products to have an effective skincare routine—and allow yourself to seek help if you need it. All the best with your skincare journey.
Disclaimer: Please be responsible and do your own research before buying or using any skincare products. If you are prone to allergies or affected by skin and/or other health conditions, always follow your physician’s advice and instructions, and perform patch tests on small sections of your skin before using any new products.
