We come across so many advertisements daily for the skincare products and get bombarded with the complicated chemical names stating to be the best for your skin. Its really important to know if they are really helpful or harmful or are overrated?
Here are some insights that might help you to decide your skincare routine choosing the right product.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA):
- Helpful - At proper percentages (Usually 5-10%), if it doesn’t cause irritation. On brown skin, small areas should be tested to determine level that can be tolerated.
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - NA
- Cleansers:
- Helpful - If they remove oil and makeup without drying.
- Harmful - If they contain harsh alkalis.
- Overrated - NA
- Collagen-based creams:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - Because the collage molecule cannot penetrate skin and is useless.
- Copper peptide complex Skin Cream:
- Helpful - For aging skin and as anti-inflammatory, if proper percentage of active ingredient is present.
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - NA
- Elastin Products:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - Because the elastin molecule cannot penetrate skin.
- Eye creams and gels:
- Helpful - If they contain nonirritant anti-inflammatories or antioxidants.
- Harmful - If they contain petrolatum or oils that can migrate on the eye
- Overrated - They are standard moisturisers that claim to remove dark circles
- Eye makeup remover:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - Because some products sting the eyes
- Overrated - Because your normal cleanser can clean off eye makeup, but some products are good makeup removers that aren’t irritating.
- Facial Masks:
- Helpful - If used to achieve hydration
- Harmful - If they cause irritation or are used more than often than once a week
- Overrated - For facial rejuvenation
- Hypoallergenic products:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - Because even though they probably contain no fragrance and fewer allergens, there is no guarantee that these products will not cause allergic reactions.
- Moisturisers basic with petroleum or mineral oil:
- Helpful - For normal to dry skin
- Harmful - If used on oily skin
- Overrated - NA
- Moisturisers with Coenzyme Q10:
- Helpful - Because they have anti-oxidant/ anti-inflammatory effects
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - NA
- Moisturisers, Oil-free:
- Helpful - For oily and/ or acne-prone skin
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - For Normal/ dry skin (moisturisers with oil are better)
- Moisturisers with Oil/ Noncomedogenic:
- Helpful - Because proper use does not cause acne
- Harmful - If overused because it can clog pores
- Overrated - NA
- Renova:
- Helpful - If used on regular basis
- Harmful - If used in conjunction with sun exposures
- Overrated - NA
- Retin-A:
- Helpful - For reversal of photoaging (sun damage) and for patients with acne.
- Harmful - if it is over irritating or if it is used with subsequent sun exposure
- Overrated - NA
- Retinol/ Vitamin A based cosmetics:
- Helpful - If used long term
- Harmful - If the compound is present at a too high level because it may cause irritation
- Overrated - If the compound is present at a low level and/ or nor properly stabilised.
- Sunscreens:
- Helpful - If SPF is 15 or higher
- Harmful - If used instead of avoiding sun exposure
- Overrated - If used as protection from long sun exposures
- Toner:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - If they overdry; not recommended for dry skin types.
- Overrated - For pore cleansing
- Vitamin C/ L-Ascorbic Acid:
- Helpful - NA
- Harmful - If it caused irritation which increases inflammation.
- Overrated - If active ingredient is present at a low level, or if no active ingredient is present due to instability.
- Vitamin C Ester/ Ascorbyl Palmitate
- Helpful - Because they act as anti-inflammatory and are stable
- Harmful - NA
- Overrated - NA