Sometimes it seems like we can never have enough makeup, brushes, or face masks. There are new launches every day and everything is so intriguing. With all the new innovations in the beauty world, it seems like not buying something will leave you missing out on the latest must-have products.
The fact is, that isn’t true. Skincare technology doesn’t advance that rapidly. “New” products and formulas are often presenting the same active ingredients in a slightly different way. Marketing sure makes it seem necessary to keep up with these trends, but there are plenty of beauty products you don’t need.
Based on our experience, you can skip the following beauty products and still have a perfectly well-rounded beauty collection.
- Under Eye Primer
If you use an under eye primer to keep your concealer from creasing, you will find that a lightweight cream or moisturizer that you already own will have the same outcome – so you don’t need to spend your money on a primer! If you are using primer on the rest of your face before applying makeup, apply it under your eyes for the same effect that under eye primer or cream would have. Makeup creases happen most often when your skin is dry.
- Facial Mist
Facial mists and setting sprays are two different things. Setting sprays have ingredients that lock in makeup and keep your products from melting and creasing. Facial mists scented with lavender, rose, and even aloe feel good but can be potentially damaging. Check the label to make sure there is no alcohol in the product you are using because it will dry out your skin.
Some of the “hydrating” or refreshing mists and sprays are packed with artificial fragrances. You are practically spraying perfume on your face which will dry out your skin and can cause allergic reactions. If you’re a facial mist devotee, make sure your spray is naturally scented.
- Designer Skincare
Aside from the help of a dermatologist, expensive skincare is more about the marketing, packaging, and branding than the ingredients. Many pricey skincare brands use the same ingredients as lower-cost brands like The Ordinary, Fourth Ray Beauty, and Cerave. The thing that makes you reach for a $50+ serum is the luxurious packaging and sales technique.
- Face Scrubs
The St. Ives Apricot Scrub was an essential for anyone who grew up in the early 2000s. Scrubbing your acne-prone skin with plastic beads seemed like the perfect way to rid your skin of pimples. In reality, those exfoliating balls were polluting our oceans and our skin.
Now those plastic beads are banned in the USA, but even safer alternatives like jojoba beads, ground walnut, and salt or sugar can be harmful. It is good for your skin to exfoliate, but physical exfoliators like these are too aggressive. They can creat micro-tears in the skin, doing more harm than good. If you want to exfoliate your skin properly, look for an acid exfoliant to gently dissolve skin cells—BHAs or AHAs will be a lot more gentle. (FYI: BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid and AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid). AHA is best for dry skin and skin concerns like acne scars. BHA is best for oily and acne-prone skin types.
- High SPFs
Any sunscreen above 30-50 SPF gives you a sense of extra protection. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UV rays from your skin, and SPF 50 blocks about 98% according to www.skincancer.org. People tend to think that the higher the SPF, the less often they have to apply it, or that they can stay out in the sun longer. No matter what SPF level you choose, you still need to reapply after sweating or swimming, or every 2 hours if in the sun.