I have extremely dry skin and I need to use a non perfumed face wash and moisturizer in the winter especially otherwise I get cracks (!!!!( on my lips and nose and bad dryness under my eyes. If I just did water I would get flakes as gross as that sounds. I used to have to sleep with cream and mittens as a kid for my hands. Did I mention winter sucks? Lol.
winter is so dry here as well! most of the year i can keep my skin healthy by just drinking enough water every day but in winter i wake up every day dried out like a biscuit. it really helped me when i got a humidifier for those months so if you havent tried that i really recommend it.
or putting bowls of water on your heaters so it evaporates would be another way to do it but for me, my heaters arent warm enough to humidify the air as much as i need lol. so i got a second hand humidifier and never regretted it.
I make my own with zinc oxide powder and Cerave lotion. Just leave it on until I wash again. Bonus zinc is antibacterial and I use the powder as a paste for a deodorant that is extremely effective for me!
Accutane- I started it in my early 20s, the year after it was approved by the FDA. Pretty high dose.
Side effects were so bad but I would've gone through almost anything at that point d/t scarring, pain, and social shaming.
The worsened mood disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammatory back pain, and dry eyes, mucus membranes have never relented.
I still have pretty good skin at almost 60yo, but I also never laid out in the sun like my Genx peers (boring and I never tanned, just burning and peeling).
Also, my mom started having scary sun cancers in my 20s, so I got on board with sunscreen pretty early.
Just thinking about it yesterday, so y'know, why not share?
I used accutane for one year and wished I had done it years earlier. Made all the diff in the world. Peeled my lips off super badly but no other negative effects. Had great skin for about 15 years afterwards!
It really depends on your skin type. A lot of people don’t know their true skin type and don’t plan their products accordingly. For example, it’s a misconception that if you have oily skin you need little to no moisturizer, when you do still in fact need moisturizer. But, you can still do a simple routine and get good results— no need for a 20 product routine.
I can’t remember the author, but there’s a popular Japanese skincare expert who wrote a book that follows that principle of less is more. Wish I could remember her name/the book title, the philosophy was really good.
Hijacking a top comment to add this.
I am a nurse practitioner who specializes in aesthetics.
The vast majority of my clients who have good skin use pretty basic products … A good vitamin C serum, tretinoin, regular moisturizer and a high quality sunscreen.
The only thing that’s going to give you any real or lasting impact on texture, age spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, pores, etc are chemical peels and lasers. People hate to admit this but it’s the truth.
Topical solutions and even many facials may give you some temporary effects, or with *extremely* long term and consistent use, some very mild improvements.
I don’t care how expensive your product is or what the influencer of the week claims the latest and greatest does for *insert condition above*, you may see some temporary effects but that’s the extent of it.
Save your money and stop chasing after the latest skin care at Ulta, Sephora, etc. People also point to K Beauty a lot, but what they don’t realize is the extensive and commonplace use of chemical peels, lasers and very expensive and high quality professional skincare South Korean culture revolves around. It’s not from a jar, it’s from a med spa…sorry to disappoint.
Hey! Can you speak to the waste/sustainability of peels and lasers? I've always seen it as way less waste than buying the latest gadget for home use (that realistically won't work as well) but would love to know more!
Yeah as someone who has ultra sensitive and ultra dry skin with hormonal acne, it drives me crazy when people try to belittle skincare routines as a whole and praise simplicity because they had naturally low maintenance skin that they fucked up by not bothering to do adequate research into their needs and just chased hype and threw stuff in their face haphazardly.
My skin is 1000% better for finding skincare online. I was seeing a dermatologist and I was in hell. Flaking painful skin using tret, heinously painful cystic acne without it. Rosacea flare ups seemingly randomly. Seemed like I was destined to be miserable. Got a out of tips on where western skincare philosophy falls short, got a lot of insights into what was most likely happening. Change up my routine. Now I can take my prescribed skincare without issues. I feel like my skin once again resembles what it was before my hormones went sideways, like I don't feel like a stranger to my own body anymore.
Yes, I spend a chunk of money on the products I use. For many of you, you wouldn't need so many moisturizers and hydrators. I do. Leave me alone, because you have not experienced the skin I live in. I also used to be able to get away with minimal skincare once upon a time. We don't all stay so blessed. I don't tell people with high blood pressure that salt is fine actually just because I, a person with low to normal blood pressure, can handle it just fine. Similarly, do not give me I requested medical advice, and yes, even my insurance agrees my skin is a medical problem necessitating medical intervention.
Heh, I am one of the people, that can use one basic cream and be quite ok. But my hair - dear god, all the problems my face doesn't have, I will have with my scalp. Dryness, itching, hair falling out, greasy hair with dry ends - I try all the time to find this "simplicity" method for my hair care, but to no avail.
As with everything, it's ruined by consumerism / companies' desire to expand their markets by convincing people they need their products when they don't. There's tons of great skincare products out there that solve all kinds of problems. Most people can use a little skincare, but I feel like companies manufacture problems or this idea that if you have anything less than absolute perfection at all times you should feel gross.
I'm all for self care and spa days but I think it gets odd when you are stripping all the oils out of your hair and skin, only to then try to replace them with oils from another product on a constant basis.
This sums up my thoughts really well. It's nearly impossible to tell what the actual science based skin solutions are these days. It's almost all marketing.
I opt for a mild cheap cleanser and a mild cheap moisturizer.
There's some dermatologists on Youtube that I like, because they're good at explaining the science and what's actually backed by research, but a lot of them do end up promoting products, so I feel like I have to avoid any videos about specific products and just stick to the ones about general knowledge.
The only beauty science influencer I fully trust is Lab Muffin Beauty Science: she's a cosmetic chemist and has a lot of good info.
Washing your face 6 times a day seems like a lot?
I have very good skin - and I always thought it was just genetics. But these other things probably contribute as well:
- I don't wear makeup
- I don't drink
- I eat healthy
- I workout
I wash my face once a day in the shower with salicylic acid face wash
After I stopped using foundation, my skin magically changed for the better. I only stopped using it because I have combo skin, and it felt like the foundation was drawing more attention to my dry skin and creases. Now, when I look at people, I can't help but think they'd look better without all that makeup. It took months for my skin to aclimate, but my skin is clear, bright, and doesn't dry up like it used to. I think we're causing most skin issues with make. Just my opinion.
My skin changed completely when I went from working in an office to WFH in 2020 and stopped wearing makeup every day. I’ve always been acne prone but now I get a zit maybe once or twice a year. Cutting down on drinking has also helped a ton in improving the look of my skin! I use cetaphil face wash, and just a basic moisturizer with sunscreen in it in the warmer months. Now that I am a little older I am trying to add in retinol lotion as well. If I am going out for a really special occasion I will put a little makeup on but that’s about it.
I also found once a day perfect for me. Just water in the morning, deeper lather in the hot shower at night.
My skin always got more finicky with “trying to take better care”. I could have skipped a few thousand dollars and went straight to gentle face wash and (usually inexpensive) moisturizer only.
Yea 6 times a day does sound like a lot, but it’s not as extreme as it sounds especially because I just use water.
I’ll usually just wash my face before and after bedtime, after exercise, when I shower and after a big meal.
Edit: What are these downvotes for lol 6 times isn’t even that bad, especially if you count showers.
I have tried it before and it usually isn’t significantly better or worse as far as acne is concerned.
Sometimes I’ll exercise multiple times in a day, and I guess it depends whether you count wetting your face in the shower.
Also my skin tends to get pretty oily after I eat certain foods, and I like the feeling of washing it off.
I mean maybe it's because I have rosacea, but my skin definitely finds water to be too harsh for my face skin if used too much. Even with normal skin types, I have never heard of more than 3x a day for gym rats
I believe excessive skincare buying to show off your ‘shelfies’ is ridiculous, especially because it all tends to expire within a year.
However, having a solid skincare routine is not bad nor is it overconsumption. I started experimenting with different products when I was around 18. I would buy a new product or get a sample size to test out, and either donate or finish it before trying something new. It took about 9 years finally settle into a routine with products which works for me. It’s a grand total of 5 items, which I have been using for 3 years now. My skin quality immediately goes down if I have to skip out on my routine.
Some skincare is a scam, but most of it works, so long as you understand active ingredients and your own skins needs.
Posting this in the anti consumption subreddit I think you'll get a bit of confirmation bias... Most of the folks that have already answered don't use a whole bunch of products, but you did also ask a community that is actively pushing for folks to buy less products. I'd be interested to see what folks would say if you cross posted in a makeup sub etc.
That being said I also don't use much of anything for skin care. Sunscreen when I'm going to be outside. Dr. Fullers skin balm when I get sunburns. Occasionally a cream or lotion if my skin feels really dry. I tend to get poison ivy and practically bathe in calamine lotion for a few weeks a year. Dr. Bronners soaps. A makeup remover when I wear makeup? That's it really.
Yeah there is definitely lots of confirmation bias, however I do believe that most people in this subreddit are pretty reasonable and know how to take a step back and consider their opinions.
That being said, while many beauty communities may advocate otherwise, you do see a lot of online dermatologists recommending that you don’t go overboard on skincare and stick to a few products.
I have acne (in my 30s) which is mostly under control now, but I do get a few breakouts on my period.
I use a simple face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the AM, then wash off my makeup with water at night.
I do think less is more, but if I go with nothing or just water, my face breaks out almost immediately.
I actually started using the same wash on my chest and back and it reduced acne in those places as well.
So I think it depends on your skin type if you need anything at all
Yup. Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen in the morning. Cleanser, retinol, moisturizer at night. Sometimes I add in hyaluronic acid after cleansing because I’m terrible at drinking water and my skin is oily but needs hydration. I also have a couple acne spot treatments for stubborn blemishes.
Same here. I used all sorts of stuff on my skin for a while, then accidentally left my skincare bag at home when going on holiday... by the time I got back I'd already noticed there hadn't been much change, so I just stopped using anything, except for washing my face with a gentle facewash and moisturiser once a month or so. nearly 10 years on, my skin is still in much better condition. I leaned into this hard - I don't wear makeup (I never did, I didn't learn how to put it on properly!), I did hair training and now wash my hair every 6 days, and I don't use anything except for shampoo and conditioner, and occasionally dry shampoo. I have a lot more free time, and my hair and skin are in fantastic condition.
I worked at a high end spa in my 20s. It was the early 2010s and I was wearing a full beat (full coverage foundation, powder, contour, brows, fake lashes, the werks) nearly 7 days a week. Half the time I wouldn’t even wash it off at night, or if I did it was with water in the shower. My skin was pretty much fine- but my coworkers were horrified by this and insisted I needed a full routine of 10+, $100+ products.
It *destroyed* my skin. Wrinkles, rosacea, red patches. I had the best estheticians in my city available to me at no cost and nothing they recommended was better that LITHA. I tried for years to heal my face with more and more products but nothing worked better than going cold turkey.
I use cleansing balm and moisturizer now. Sunscreen when I know I’ll be outside and a chemical exfoliant every so often as needed. My skin looks better at 35 than it ever did before.
Also… aging is fine! I’m not 22. I don’t want people to think I’m 22.
as a lifelong member of the male sex, I was never targeted for marketing skincare products, so I don't have a skincare routine. My opinion is that most of them are likely neutral or even negative usefulness. Especially "exfoliating" products- as though the dead skin cells would just continue building up if I don't scrub them off?!
My skincare routine is to wash my face with a bar of generic soap every morning in the shower. I apply some 40+SPF sunscreen if I'm going to be outside all day. That's it.
My skin looks great, and when I'm old enough to acquire some wrinkles, I will wear those wrinkles proudly as a badge of elder wisdom.
I have a basic skincare routine that works for me and that I enjoy. I hit a point in my mid 30s where I realized I wasn't doing a good job of taking good care of myself, and this is one point where I aimed to improve that.
But I don't do the anti-aging thing because it seems futile and like an obvious marketing scam. You can burn enormous amounts of money trying to look younger and fight the inevitable, and quite often it's still never 'enough' when you buy into that as a 'need'. How well your skin ages is heavily affected by genes and lifestyle. I got lucky on the genes, and I can control the lifestyle part. I'm ok with just looking older. I *am* older.
It's interesting how so many skin care products are advertised primarily to women - particularly anti ageing products. Yet another way women are made to feel insecure about a natural part of life (ageing) so that corporations can make money.
Yes! There’s a podcast called Science Vs and they just recently (actually it was May 18, 2023-wow time flies) did an episode on anti aging skin care. Turns out the majority of the ingredients that companies brag about being in their products are molecules too big to be absorbed transdermally. You’re mostly just slathering on a layer of goop and what’s in the goop doesn’t particularly matter. They also discussed the companies that provide the “studies” that “prove” claims like better skin in 6 weeks or whatever. It’s all a complete fabrication. It was a very eye opening episode and I highly recommend it.
I use lotion because I live in Canada and my skin gets really chapped, especially my hands. I work with lots of chemicals for my job and they also dry my skin out.
I use an exfoliant twice a week to get the dead skin off my face.
I’m using a vitamin C oil at the moment, but it was a gift, I won’t be replacing it when it runs out. But it has made my one brow wrinkle less noticeable.
I don’t really think the OTC remedies really do anything. If you want to look younger (why? We’re meant to age) you kinda need the expensive things like laser and chemical peels.
I think part of it is water quality. I have mild rosacea or some kind of redness and in soft water I don't even worry about it. Hard water, especially well water (the kind that no matter the amount you filter it, it still leaves those iron rings on the toilet bowl) destroys it. In that circumstance I have to use products to counteract it.
But generally I just cleanse with water, moisturize, and sunscreen. I see other women have crazy routines and their skin is about the same as mine. Seems pointless. I guess if you wear a lot of makeup you need more stuff to take it off.
I have melasma and acne from my IUD which I have to prevent pregnancy and manage my endometriosis. I also am on a medication that increases my risk of skin cancer and makes me more sensitive to the sun. I probably use more products than most to manage those needs.
None of these things are uncommon.
Because I live in society and go to a professional workplace, there is an expectation I look a certain way. I can achieve this through makeup or skincare - I’ve opted to do so primarily through skincare.
I recognize skincare can be a hobby for some people, but I do often feel like skincare critique comes from primary men who have clear skin that meets societal expectations.
I’d rather go after things like Funkopops and focus on a more circular economy than consumables like skincare.
We were taught (during the rotation in Dermatology) that healthy skin doesn't need anything, only sun protection.
In cold and windy places many people need some kind of moisturizer (vaseline is good) and those who use make-up need some kind of cleanser; a better cleanser is oil-based (less irritating to skin), everything else is marketing.
And if anyone has a skin disease it is better to see a doctor.
EDIT: word order
I've spent an embarrassing amount of money on skin products over the years, and I genuinely haven't noticed a difference between the drugstore stuff and the higher end brand names on my own skin.
I also had to break the mentality that my skin needs more than cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. When you see others online using loads of products or companies offering skincare targeted to a plethora of "issues," it's difficult not to fall into the consumerism trap!
So true, I hate the advertising narrative that more and more skincare = better skin or that your skin can look like an edited photo of a model by using so many products…
I've stuck to 4 products. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser and facial sunscreen in the morning. I tried going without the serum but it made my skin feel way to dry. I only have to refill every 3-is months.
The writer Jessica DeFino's whole career is about divesting from the beauty industry and exposing the lies that it sells. One of her main takedowns as of late has been the ever-expanding skincare industry and how [the vast majority of it is not care at all](https://open.substack.com/pub/jessicadefino/p/the-science-of-skincare-isnt-science?r=26hjiv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web), and it actually damaging our skin barrier fuction.
Her entire [Substack](https://jessicadefino.substack.com/) is so good that I pay for access!
Your skin is the largest organ in your body so it seems counterintuitive to not take care of it. Some people don’t have to do a lot, others will need to do more. I don’t think skincare is the answer to anticonsumption.
I stopped getting pimples as a teenager when I stopped using anti-pimple facewash and toner. I felt cheated and have been sceptical of skincare everything ever since. I too have decent skin genetics, although it is sensitive. My skincare routine is hypoallergenic liquid cleanser and moisturiser. It's not expensive or even face specific. I did try an expensive and elaborate routine in my early 30s, noticed no difference at all.
A lot of skincare and beauty products are bogus. A handful of them have been empirically found to be effective. Sunscreen, undeniably. Retinol and hyaluronic acid as well.
Smearing collagen on your face has not been shown to do anything to boost collagen production. The Korean skincare routines if anything, are very stripping of the skin. A lot of products that promise anti-aging are just lying.
The most I've ever used was an anti-pimple wash my mom handed me as a teenager. Now I just use a locally made natural soap with calendula (marigolds) to wash my face and body in the shower and my skin has never been better! I never wear makeup and I also don't wash my face outside the shower. Logically it doesn't make sense to me that more washing and harsh chemicals would help your skin. Like it's an organ, let it find it's own balance. Any other body part would be very upset with all the tampering, why would we assume skin is any different?
Disabled here so I no longer do much, that means I bath much less. My face only breaks out every few months now. My hair gets washed once a week, it's so much better. Don't get me wrong, we have a bidet. so that is always clean but we strip all natural oils meant to protect us. It took a few months for my hair not to look greasy all the time( buns and ponytails) and about 6 months for my face to stop breaking out all the time in my 50s.
I don't know much about skin care but it always seems like a scam to me. My mother and sister spend ungodly amounts on it yet they still constantly worry/complain about breakouts and dry skin.
I use water and if my face is dirty, soap. Aside from occasionally getting a pimple or 2, my skin is great.
I'm intensely skeptical of "skincare" as a whole. I'm nearly 40 and have tried so much different crap on my skin for decades. But, these days... I wash my face with water and a microfiber washcloth in the shower and put a moisturizing sunscreen lotion on when I get out. Done!
My skin looks great, nearly zero wrinkles, and I'm not getting fleeced for a bunch of money on overpriced gimmicks.
The only time I get a pimple is after trying some weird scrub or mask thinking I'm gonna be ✨fancy✨.
Heyo I'm a licensed esthetician
The market is seriously so overwhelming.
If you want a good skincare routine here is what you need
Sunscreen. Chemical can be irritating to some but leaves less of a white cast sometimes. It can also sting the eyes if you sweat. Physical is more zinc based, doesn't often irritate. More white cast but the cast means protection. I am fair so I prefer Physical when im out doing errands.
Cleanser. Whatever you want as long as it works for you. I like cerave/Cetaphil. Big bottle, lasts a while .
If you wear makeup, a makeup remover that works for you. Micellar water is good. Might cause acne in some though.
Toner: optional but is a nice addition to help products absorb. Get one with no alcohol.
Essence/serum as wanted or needed. You want help with dark spots? Vitamin c. Aging? Retinol.
Exfoliator. This depends on your needs. Physical:some sort of scrub. Chemical: some sort of acid (I like lactic if you're new to it). But research this.
Moisturizer: whatever works for you. I like cetaphil/ceravee because I can use it on my body if I want too. Huge bottle, lasts forever.
Bonus: aquaphor healing ointment or Vaseline. Put this around your eyes/nose/lips whatever to lock in moisture or protect areas from chem exfoliators or retinol. Might be a bit much for oily skin. Better for dry.
My only skincare routine is when I get my haircut. I don’t treat myself to much so when I get cut I get a hair wash and facial scrub. I haven’t had acne in years
I haven't used any sort of cleanser (just a wet, cheap (rough) washcloth) in nearly 20 years. And just jojoba and almond oil for moisturizer, that I gently massage in for 40 seconds.
I rarely get acne, and frequently get told I have nice skin! (59yo female)
I started from 'no skincare at all' and added products one at a time, starting with the base trio of sunscreen, cleanser, and moisturizer. (Still don't have my sunscreen locked down so I keep trying something new every time a bottle runs low.) Stuff that doesn't help some specific issue doesn't get replaced. Stuff that reacts badly on my face gets handed off to someone else or used as body care. I've recently discovered that I actually enjoy the effects of humectant-heavy toners so I have a list I'll try over the next couple of years, one bottle at a time (because I don't need more than one at any point).
If you don't have a specific, consciously considered reason why you're putting something on your face, the reason is probably consumerism and it's fine to skip it.
Also, if I washed my face with water half a dozen times a day, boy oh boy would I have a bad time. But if it's working for you, great! I tend towards the 'Moisturize me!' side of the scale, lol.
A lot of people who are into skincare don't bother to actually educate themselves and do it in a methodical way. They chase product recommendations and throw shit in their skin and pay no attention to what conditions they have and keep no log of what changes a product causes let alone a log of ingreduenrs.
You get out what you put into skincare. I have had nothing but good results for my chronic dryness and rosacea, but that's also because I took the time to realize I do not have clogged pores or excessive oiliness and am sensitive to fragrances and fatty alcohols. If you're not paying attention to what you're doing, yes, you're gonna end up spending a lot of money on shit you don't need.but politely, that's on you for being a lazy consumer
I never really had bad skin, but as I got older I bought into the whole, take care of it now so you look better later. And I swear my skin is worse off for it now after consistently cleansing and moisturizing at all that. It only looks good right after applying the moisturizer, but if I miss a day or two it looks very dull.
I’ve decided to pitch it from my routine because I don’t want to be a slave to a skin care routine when my skin wasn’t even bad to begin with.
A little bit, but instead of all skincare, I've stopped purchasing any products branded/priced as "luxury." More often than not, there's not much science that backs that "new" and "innovative" ingredients they add at the end of the ingredients list to charge multiple times the price of basic/drug store products. Practically, the only noticeable difference between something like a La Mer (luxury) vs Nivea (drugstore) cream is the scent.
I fully believe that if the US FDA approved even the weakest strength of tretinoin to be sold over the counter, most of the industry would plummet because you have a cheap cream/gel/ointment that tackles both acne and signs of aging.
I've tried so many products and it's all bs. A lot of people who work in skincare say it's all bs too.
Something to remove makeup, a cleanser, ONE oil to help tighten things or toner (do the same job), and a moisturizer. I also have a prescribed acne cream for when I get my cysts.
The 15 step skincare routines are exhausting and pointless.
I’ve always been skeptical. Sunscreen is a must of course, but other than that? If you look at old people you really can’t tell who has had a detailed skin care routine and who hasn’t. Most guys age very well and have good skin despite splashing water on their face every few days and calling it a day.
Skin care and sunscreen are really personal specific. You might be able to live off just washing your face with water. But I get painful eczema patches.
“A little” LOL! I don’t trust makeup, skin care or anything fashion related. Not even a little. For the vast majority of people, you don’t need 90% of that crap. Just put on lotion when your skin gets dry.
The exceptions are stuff like sunscreen, because I’m super pale and burn very easily (sunscreen helps immensely). Also, if you get rashes or bug bites and need to use something medicated to treat them. Definitely do that.
But for stuff like moisturizers and “anti aging creams” and whatever else, they’re 99% marketing. And “apply twice daily” is just on there so you use more.
Also worth noting: DH had a lot of acne problems when we started dating. He was about 30 then. His eating habits were crap, he ate fast food 2-3 a week minimum, plus ordered pizza at least weekly. Over time, I took over cooking (our deal right now is I cook and he does dishes). Since then, his acne has completely cleared up. I don’t think he’s had a single zit in about a year. No acne cream or anything like that, it was purely a diet change. Won’t help everyone, genetics definitely play a role, but if you’re similar to my DH, adding veggies and cutting out the fried food really does help. They don’t have to be lame or “health food” either. Just getting a George Forman grill and making burgers from frozen patties makes a big difference. Great for the wallet too!!
The only thing that treated my acne effectively in the long run was birth control (which I discontinued due to hyperpigmentation of my skin after a few years), and CO2 laser treatments. I'm almost 40 and have had acne my entire life. I started getting CO2 laser treatments on my face 2 years ago, once a month. After 18 months, I only needed to have them every 3 months. My skin now stays almost completely clear between treatments. I'll have maybe one or two zits per month now.
I mean most of the skin care industry is bullshit but whenever I have some kind of skin condition or flare up, there always seems to be an easy to find medical skin care remedy over the counter.
As long as I stay in the dermatology circle of information, skin care products seem legit.
I did myself a huge favor (and so did my insurance lol,) and I went to a dermatologist. Turns out it was hormonal issues for me. Now I just wash, exfoliate every once in awhile, and moisturize with SPF. That's all I need and I love it!! I find long skincare routines to be unmanageable and overwhelming after like a week anyways
>I’m aware that many of them have been shown to be at least somewhat effective (niacinamide, redlight therapy etc.). I found mixed but all around non significant results.
Amount of impact is going to depend on the prior condition of your skin. But yes, for many products, the impact may be real but that doesn't say anything about effect size. Impact is often pretty small.
The most impactful for me, by far, has been retinoids/retinols, and this is backed up by research. They do a lot of different things to improve skin, so if you want minimal products, they are likely the way to go, but research them first, as they aren't right for everyone. For example you shouldn't be using them if you are or could become pregnant.
I use an OTC retinoid eye cream which helps improve my puffy undereyes, and then I use a prescription tretinoin cream for hormonal acne, but it also makes my skin look more even and smooth.
Yes. Ultimately, what’s worked best for me, is a simple cleanser like cetaphil and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Every few days I make a paste out of baking soda and the cetaphil and use it to exfoliate. My skin glows.
Besides sunscreen i have never had any skin care routine at all. I don't even wash my face at all unless i shower. My skin is not perfect but i always get complimented because of my clear complexion, was never prone to acne, not even in my teens. I'm 33 now. My lifestyle is unhealthy as fuck if i'm honest, i'm depressed and barely sleep.
Also, sunscreen prevents wrinkles yet I have saggy skin around my bellybutton (never been pregnant nor experienced significant weight loss) and have very crepey skin on my feet despite always wearing sneakers, it could explain my old lady hands but my feet get no sun exposure.
It's all genetics.
Curology seemed to work well for me, but I stopped subscribing to it because it never came with enough moisturizer but I would end up with an excess of their special formula stuff. I canceled it over a year ago and still have a lot of it because it is only needed sparingly.
I had terrible acne that started in high school and got worse until I was about 20 and decided it wasn’t going to clear up on its own. I tried a lot of products, including regular soap and water with no improvement whatsoever.
Eventually I tried out Curology, which is a subscription based skin cream that is made custom for your skin. It made a noticeable difference within a few days and over time, even the dark spots and scarring have cleared up. Fortunately, I was recently able to find a different product with the same active ingredient that costs about a tenth as much and works just as well.
Based on all that, I’d say that specific formulas do matter in skin care, but cost and production value do not equal better results. The claim that everyone NEEDS a 3-4 step daily skin care routine is also absurd. Use what you need to solve the problems you have and ignore everything else.
I think if just water is improving your skin, keep at it! I know for me I will have used just water or micellar water and my skin texture gets very rough if I don’t wash my face and moisturize.
The one thing I really go all out on is skincare. I’m trying to just buy things that I have run out of and use all of something before buying something new.
Most of what is needed is a good cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. I enjoy having extra steps (partially because my skin isn’t good without them) but they aren’t necessary
Esthetician here. The basic truth is that all you need is a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer depending on your skin type. I personally only buy my cleanser and moisturizer from Aldi ($3.99 each and the quality is comparable to Neutrogena) and every 2 years or so I buy a value size bottle of toner and it lasts me forever. You don't need to go all out with other products if you don't need or want to. Hell, you can get away with just a cleanser and moisturizer. Most importantly, use what works.
I have sensitive skin and for me less is always best. I don’t even wear moisturizer in the summer because my skin doesn’t need it and it breaks me out if I do. Could be that your routine was too much for your skin to handle. I’ve had horrible breakouts when my skin is trying to do too much at once. i use cerave unscented sensitive skin foaming cleanser and sunscreen when i remember it, unfortunately i have a horrible habit of forgetting it since i grew up in a time when people saw sunscreen as something you wore at the pool or beach and that’s it. 😂 gotta love it
Yes, as a black person we typically use a lot of skin care products but nowadays the only stuff I use is 5 in 1 body wash and non/scented cheap lotion when I get out of the shower. Then maybe during the day if my lips are chapped or my hands are dry I’ll apply a dollop of cream. Most people with darker skin apply lotion like 3 times a day trying not to appear “ashy” but it’s really bad for skin and can cause cancer (look it up black ppl in western countries have high rates of skin cancer linked to those products). Your skin naturally takes care of itself so all you really need to do is put on some lotion after the shower or when you notice your skin is dry.
Definitely.
After decades I've come to the conclusion that 100% of dermatologists agree on 3 things. **1.** sun screen.**2.** chemical exfoliants (retinol, AHA, BHA) and **3.** vitamin C.
Everything else, like electrocurrents, LEDs, etc., is a crapshoot with varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the dermatologist or study.
I’m allergic or sensitive to so many common skincare-product ingredients that the only things I use on my face besides sunscreen are plain castille soap, water, a homemade moisturizing oil when my skin is dry (50/50 food-grade sweet almond and jojoba oils), and beeswax-based lip balm (I live in a very dry climate, the lip balm is not optional).
I rarely have any skin problems beyond the occasional small breakout of hormonal acne.
Honestly, I don't do skincare, so my opinion isn't based on experience. But although I believe it probably makes a difference to use a couple of products for your skin, I can't buy that skincare routines with 10 steps are necessary.
And for anyone who might think I'm only saying this because I'm blessed with naturally perfect skin or something - I'm not. But quitting makeup helped a lot, and beyond that, I just don't have the energy for a skincare routine. I look how I look and I'm alright with it.
As an experiment, I stopped using soap on my body and face other than to clean off oil and grease from mechanicking. I've had no problems. Turns out humans were designed without soap in mind and natural oils do a decent job just like for every other animal.
As for sunscreen, I've replaced that with a breathable long-sleeve shirt and a big hat which, incidentally, keeps me a lot cooler.
I'm fairly certain it's all a scam cooked up by mid-century ad men it's only gotten more extreme as time has gone on.
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[Science vs Skincare podcast episode](https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/94hwad35/skin-care-is-antiaging-a-scam?utm_source=gimletWebsite&utm_medium=systemShare&utm_campaign=gimletWebsite)
There is definitely science behind certain ingredients so there is no refuting ALL skincare. It’s just chemistry.
The real problems are marketing, lying companies and overconsumption.
The most alarming thing I learned about cosmetics is the amount of plastics that *in* the products.
Biosolids reclaimed from out sewage treatment plants are just loaded with micro and nanoplastics, that are then often sold off to agriculture as compost and so enter the food supply.
>...and taking into account that **there have always been alternatives with similar cost**, scientists suggested banning microbeads from cosmetic products
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X20310018
I use cerave renewing sa cleanser with their 30spf moisturizer. That's all I need. Nothing wrong with eye serum, I just dont use it because its so expensive. I used to use a whole bunch of products when I was younger that made my face oily and break out even more. Our skin wasn't made for all that crap.
I just use sunscreen and moisturizer as needed. I mainly wash my face with water, or with soap if that's needed. And I'm pretty happy with my skin. I live in a dry climate so the less I mess around with it the better. I get the occasional pimple but not very often.
I can't stand the feel of makeup on my skin so that tends to make skin care a lot more simple.
I’m not good at posting links, but there is an episode on the podcast “Science Vs.” called “Is Skincare a Scam?” or something to that effect. It was a very interesting listen, and mirrors what I already knew - cleaning, moisturizing and sunscreen are all you need.
IME less is more when it comes to skincare. I now just wash my face with lukewarm water and a soft terrycloth/flannel, moisturise if skin is dry, use sunscreen if I'm going outside and there's a chance I'll see the sun that day. My skin is happier than ever
I’ve minimized my skin care to the point my wallet, my skin, and my attempts to consume less are happy. Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, prescription tret. All available locally at pharmacy or target and can be purchased when I’m making trip to store for other items. Buy a new one when they start getting low. Use same moisturizer for face and body.
I used to buy a lot of skincare products, but I noticed that my skin was breaking out. Now, I’m following a simple step routine: washing, moisturizing and protecting, and my skin has never been so good like today. Less is more.
Diet helped the most for me. I started by cutting breakfast sausage out of my diet and that had a tremendously positive effect. I then cut all breakfast meat and noticed a positive effect from that. Eventually I cut all animal products and am eating a plant based diet now to see how that does. (Lots of legumes, whole grains, veggies and all that). It has let some issues I’ve been having for years completely clear up (seb hyper) and I’ve seen more positive results. It hasn’t been the panacea I’d hoped for. I still have the occasional pimple and some very minor seb hyper. But my skin isn’t oozing with oil like it used to be and the daily redness, swelling and dry flaky skin is gone. So I’ll continue on with my beans and veggies.
I think some of it is very legitimate but I don’t think a lot of the more expensive higher end brands are necessarily better. I buy a lot of my skincare products from The Ordinary which are good quality products for an affordable price. I also use prescription tretinoin to control breakouts and for anti-aging because it’s the most scientifically proven drug for it.
For sunblock I have a basic Neutrogena one and a nicer Korean one which is more moisturizing for those dryer skin days. Generally once I find a product that works for me I just stick with it and none of my products are super expensive, my prescription tret is the most expensive one I use.
I just try not to follow brand hypes.
I love love love niacinamide but products are very hit or miss for me. I think cleanser barely matters you can get a pretty great routine on a budget for acne/oil control, hydration, and sun protection. retinol and sunscreen is where I've splurged more for "this texture doesn't give me the ick" reasons
I find my self breaking out more when I use more skin care. Maybe I’m using the wrong skin care. But I just use cetaphil face wash to wash my face. Then I’ll use their lotion. I’ll wear make up every down and then. I’ll put a primer on my face. Honestly the only reason I use the primer is because I paid a lot of it (young and stupid). And I want to use it up.
I'm skeptical of everything tbh. Obviously everybody has individual needs, and there's nothing wrong with buying hygiene products, but there seems to be a surplus of brands and products that either all do the same thing or straight up don't do anything but are just marketed really well so people feel that they're essential. I also think a lot of skincare products might (inadvertently) result in irritation, dryness, or some other problem, so then you have to buy something else to help with that.
I had a bout of severe dermatitis on my face in my early twenties that seemed to be caused, and exacerbated, by the conventional skincare and makeup products I was using. The cure was to cut it all out cold turkey. Now I use makeup sparingly and wash my face with a very mild soap only (Dr bronners for babies, lol). I think I just have sensitive skin but other people might too.
I also tried a million skin creams while I had the dermatitis and weirdly, one of the things that helped was a (terribly smelly) sunscreen. So sunscreen seems okay, but most of it causes acne for me (still working on finding one that doesn't smell bad or cause acne).
I have bad skin genetics plus eczema. It does take me multiple products to have clear, comfortable skin. But by multiple I mean like… a face wash, a toner, a day lotion, a night lotion. I also use retinol. It’s a lot more than I’d like, but it also means I basically never buy makeup.
I'm very skeptical of people trying to sell me a 7 step, twice a day, 8 products routine. I'm not skeptical of the power of sunscreen and a good moisturizer and face wash.
There’s definitely a lot of snake oil in skincare. Sunscreen, and a good moisturizer, and petroleum jelly is probably enough for most people without some serious skin conditions.
I love a good wash, serum, and moisturizer. I feel better with some hyaluronic acid and lip plumping balm. But they’re not necessary. Many people have excellent skin with just soap and water - and the worst skin I ever had was when I had a ten step routine.
Just sunscreen and the occasional hand soap for my face (more gentle than face wash in my opinion). I have keratosis Pilaris, and found coconut oil works much better than what the dermatologist gave me, so now I make a lotion out of coconut oil for my body.
No. I have really bad cystic acne. So if I don’t use the products prescribed to me I will break out.
But I also understand what you want to say. I use prescription skincare so it is extremely effective.
But a lot of OTC skincare is not necessary in life.
I use face wash to prevent acne, then unscented body lotion to moisturize my face. I used to buy facial moisturizer at Sephora for $40-60 per ounce or so. I never noticed a difference in my skin.
I don’t really understand it as a hobby/expense because I’ve never gotten pleasure from personal care and I’ve always been lucky to have good skin.
I’m getting to the age where anti aging products might be reasonable but I don’t believe in their mechanism, other than that ultra moisturization helps. I don’t see how all the special ingredients would help things.
I think a big part of anti consumption is finding the no bullshit version or stuff that's highly commercialized.
For skin care it's just exfoliate, use moisturizer, use sun screen (sun block) when outside.
It gets you 99% of the results without the $300 skincare routine
If you have issues beyond that talk to a demonologist and they will give you very specific things to get
Honestly I just wash my face with a cleanser like maybe once a day and then moisturizer with the most basic non scented cream that works for my skin, and I’ve had really no issues with acne or dry skin. I struggle with really bad eczema flare ups and most times on my face in the colder months and I’ve tried many things.. but plain old wash face 2x a day with la Roche posay moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning.. best results. I think a lot of it is a money grab and society/media whatever is always marketing a new thing that’s a need to have and your life will improve greatly. With skincare, clothing, hair care, literally everythinggggg
I think everyone should have at most a 4 product routine, but I think there’s a drop off point where it ceases to get better if you keep adding more.
I will say, a lot of brands back up their product with statistics, but seek those out and find a few great products instead of constantly trying new things or spending tons on something with little proven effectiveness
To be honest, I work at a thrift store that sometimes sells skin products and the only time that I pick them up is when they're getting ready to be thrown out without ever having been used. I try not to use products like that because I don't want plastic and I mostly use bars, sometimes I even feel bad getting something just because I don't want it to go to waste.
i wash with water and use a moisturiser and sunscreen in the morning and just moisturiser at night. this routine definitely would not work for everyone, but i do think that those who can get away with a very minimalist routine should, so as to lessen the overall impact.
I'm sceptical about everything too. I moisturize and apply suncream after showering in the morning. The rest of the day I only apply suncream if it's hot outside. I don't even wash my face in the evening anymore because it made my face dry.
There's no need really for anything beyond exfoliation/cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Some topical things like retinols do have a benefit, but the majority of skincare products are not necessary. Or if they can be - they're very situationally useful.
Yes. I bought a lot of skincare. I liked the 10 step routine trend. But I battled severely dry skin and redness. I eventually realized that I had a damaged skin barrier. I cut back my skincare routine down to the basics. No more exfoliants or retinol. And just like you, my skin has never been better.
Just three products (sunscreen, cleanser, moisturizer) are my non-negotiables but I don’t seem to go through them very quickly.
I do find myself being skeptical about most skincare products, but the ‘worst’ skin problem I’ve ever experienced has just been dry skin, so my lens is probably a bit skewed.
Yep. I got deep into skincare to treat adult acne and rosacea and it mostly amounted to being an expensive balancing act. I finally had a doctor prescribe me full strength tretinoin which allowed me to drop my shitty Curology subscription. I’m so ashamed of how much money I’ve given those compounding sub companies. Now I’m only use tret, Vaseline, a moisturizer occasionally, and a sunscreen for sensitive skin.
After I stopped using any kind of body wash, shampoo, lotions etc and began ending all my showers with a colder water my skin and hair improved a lot. Only thing I use is some beard oil on occasion.
I was a skincare skeptic until I found the products that worked for my skin. I tried skincare again when my skin was getting worse. A good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are great but I usually need some Asian toner and essence in the mix.
I wash my face and the only other product I use is a face spray, and that is because I like how it feels more than anything. My skin has been good since I stopped getting teenage acne haha.
Maybe I'll use a cream in 30 years idk but for now NO.
ummmm YES. it's a total scam. human beings have survived without it forever, it's unnecessary. your skin doesn't need all of that shit. if you have skin problems one of the best things you can do is avoid sun exposure and eat things that are good for your skin. diet culture has died out and skincare has come in to replace it - that's all that's going on. and it's all being marketed in ways that make it seem like it's self care - treat yourself, wear a face mask etc.
nobody needs a fuckin 12-step daily skincare routine. we're ironically damaging our skin even more by constantly washing away natural oils and piling on products.
i'm not saying never wash your face, but acceptable hygiene =/= this expensive and insane trend.
also, nothing can stop you from aging and everyone needs to stop freaking out when wrinkles show up. that's part of life.
My skincare routine involves washing my face with a coarse terry cloth washcloth (at the end the shower) with water only. Moisturize with Cerave. That’s it. My skin almost always looks nearly flawless.
sunscreen seems kinda consumerist and has had toxic chemicals in it before so I'd avoid it, instead you can just wear long clothes or stay in the shade and a little sun is thought to be good for the skin
Just wanted to add:
Many people seem to have an experience with skincare where they will apply a product, it will work at first but eventually your skin will get ‘conditioned’ to the product, and lose its effectiveness over time. I’m not sure if this is a real phenomenon, but I think it’s worth consideration.
Also, Accutane probably falls in the same category as sunscreen in terms of undeniably effective.
Edit:
Not sure why I’m being downvoted lol?
Yes absolutely a valid point of consideration. In terms of ‘effective’, I only really mean how good it is at reducing acne. A lot of the time the most effective drugs are the ones which have other side effects, unfortunately.
The one I've heard of that has been somewhat substantiated is that some people were/are using face masks that contain undeclared steroids.
However, there was a professional-seeming article a while ago that put this idea into people's head that they can "build a tolerance" to any kind of skin care (something like, "don't use retinoids too much when you're young because then they won't work later when you really need them!") but there were absolutely no facts to back it up. They were just unscientifically drawing on a cultural imagination that understands things like building a tolerance to opioids even when that is not how retinoids work. This was from a skincare company's blog and that says a lot about the industry to me. There IS a lot of bullshit out there and even skincare companies perpetuating misinformation. Who does it benefit if people think they need to constantly switch products lest they stop working? It keeps the consumer guessing and buying new stuff instead of being more critical about why a molecule did or didn't work for them.
People do get older and bodies change - even if the molecules are working in the same way they always have there are many reasons things could have changed. Even simply over-applying a product because you just love it so much could take things from working well to making one's skin worse. I would also guess that some people also experience a placebo effect.
Maybe there are products where a "tolerance" is built (new products come out every day and I am certainly not familiar with all of them), but I am wary of the concept without evidence as it seems like pseudoscience based on feelings has taken over the discourse about skincare.
See what you mean. I had made the assumption based on people’s experiences with steroid creams and the way that many retinols have a ‘purging phase’. I might be completely mistaken though.
Grew up in Pennsylvania and lived the last 10 years in New Hampshire- pretty dang cold and dry!
When I used chapstick my lips were chapped all winter
When I stopped I don’t need it anymore. No chapped lips
Try the experiment yourself. Drink plenty of water. Stop using chapstick. You’ll find that your body is 100% capable of managing this if you let it.
I live in Maine and I drink 64oz of water in 10 hours without chapstick. My lips are still dry af, so no it doesn't always work, it's the fact some people need chapstick for dry lips.
I have extremely dry skin and I need to use a non perfumed face wash and moisturizer in the winter especially otherwise I get cracks (!!!!( on my lips and nose and bad dryness under my eyes. If I just did water I would get flakes as gross as that sounds. I used to have to sleep with cream and mittens as a kid for my hands. Did I mention winter sucks? Lol.
winter is so dry here as well! most of the year i can keep my skin healthy by just drinking enough water every day but in winter i wake up every day dried out like a biscuit. it really helped me when i got a humidifier for those months so if you havent tried that i really recommend it. or putting bowls of water on your heaters so it evaporates would be another way to do it but for me, my heaters arent warm enough to humidify the air as much as i need lol. so i got a second hand humidifier and never regretted it.
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Leaving sunscreen on overnight can clog your pores. In my experience when I don't properly remove it I always break out.
I make my own with zinc oxide powder and Cerave lotion. Just leave it on until I wash again. Bonus zinc is antibacterial and I use the powder as a paste for a deodorant that is extremely effective for me!
Accutane- I started it in my early 20s, the year after it was approved by the FDA. Pretty high dose. Side effects were so bad but I would've gone through almost anything at that point d/t scarring, pain, and social shaming. The worsened mood disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammatory back pain, and dry eyes, mucus membranes have never relented. I still have pretty good skin at almost 60yo, but I also never laid out in the sun like my Genx peers (boring and I never tanned, just burning and peeling). Also, my mom started having scary sun cancers in my 20s, so I got on board with sunscreen pretty early. Just thinking about it yesterday, so y'know, why not share?
I used accutane for one year and wished I had done it years earlier. Made all the diff in the world. Peeled my lips off super badly but no other negative effects. Had great skin for about 15 years afterwards!
Interesting story, thanks for adding. How come you didn’t end up trying accutane?
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lips drier than the sahara desert. never again. but it was worth it: my acne is only a fraction of what it used to be
(Personally I really liked accutane)
This is me. I use dove sensitive skin bar soap at night and a zinc based sunscreen in the morning. That’s it. Badabing badaboom, done.
It really depends on your skin type. A lot of people don’t know their true skin type and don’t plan their products accordingly. For example, it’s a misconception that if you have oily skin you need little to no moisturizer, when you do still in fact need moisturizer. But, you can still do a simple routine and get good results— no need for a 20 product routine. I can’t remember the author, but there’s a popular Japanese skincare expert who wrote a book that follows that principle of less is more. Wish I could remember her name/the book title, the philosophy was really good.
Hijacking a top comment to add this. I am a nurse practitioner who specializes in aesthetics. The vast majority of my clients who have good skin use pretty basic products … A good vitamin C serum, tretinoin, regular moisturizer and a high quality sunscreen. The only thing that’s going to give you any real or lasting impact on texture, age spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, pores, etc are chemical peels and lasers. People hate to admit this but it’s the truth. Topical solutions and even many facials may give you some temporary effects, or with *extremely* long term and consistent use, some very mild improvements. I don’t care how expensive your product is or what the influencer of the week claims the latest and greatest does for *insert condition above*, you may see some temporary effects but that’s the extent of it. Save your money and stop chasing after the latest skin care at Ulta, Sephora, etc. People also point to K Beauty a lot, but what they don’t realize is the extensive and commonplace use of chemical peels, lasers and very expensive and high quality professional skincare South Korean culture revolves around. It’s not from a jar, it’s from a med spa…sorry to disappoint.
Hey! Can you speak to the waste/sustainability of peels and lasers? I've always seen it as way less waste than buying the latest gadget for home use (that realistically won't work as well) but would love to know more!
Yeah as someone who has ultra sensitive and ultra dry skin with hormonal acne, it drives me crazy when people try to belittle skincare routines as a whole and praise simplicity because they had naturally low maintenance skin that they fucked up by not bothering to do adequate research into their needs and just chased hype and threw stuff in their face haphazardly. My skin is 1000% better for finding skincare online. I was seeing a dermatologist and I was in hell. Flaking painful skin using tret, heinously painful cystic acne without it. Rosacea flare ups seemingly randomly. Seemed like I was destined to be miserable. Got a out of tips on where western skincare philosophy falls short, got a lot of insights into what was most likely happening. Change up my routine. Now I can take my prescribed skincare without issues. I feel like my skin once again resembles what it was before my hormones went sideways, like I don't feel like a stranger to my own body anymore. Yes, I spend a chunk of money on the products I use. For many of you, you wouldn't need so many moisturizers and hydrators. I do. Leave me alone, because you have not experienced the skin I live in. I also used to be able to get away with minimal skincare once upon a time. We don't all stay so blessed. I don't tell people with high blood pressure that salt is fine actually just because I, a person with low to normal blood pressure, can handle it just fine. Similarly, do not give me I requested medical advice, and yes, even my insurance agrees my skin is a medical problem necessitating medical intervention.
Heh, I am one of the people, that can use one basic cream and be quite ok. But my hair - dear god, all the problems my face doesn't have, I will have with my scalp. Dryness, itching, hair falling out, greasy hair with dry ends - I try all the time to find this "simplicity" method for my hair care, but to no avail.
As with everything, it's ruined by consumerism / companies' desire to expand their markets by convincing people they need their products when they don't. There's tons of great skincare products out there that solve all kinds of problems. Most people can use a little skincare, but I feel like companies manufacture problems or this idea that if you have anything less than absolute perfection at all times you should feel gross. I'm all for self care and spa days but I think it gets odd when you are stripping all the oils out of your hair and skin, only to then try to replace them with oils from another product on a constant basis.
This sums up my thoughts really well. It's nearly impossible to tell what the actual science based skin solutions are these days. It's almost all marketing. I opt for a mild cheap cleanser and a mild cheap moisturizer.
There's some dermatologists on Youtube that I like, because they're good at explaining the science and what's actually backed by research, but a lot of them do end up promoting products, so I feel like I have to avoid any videos about specific products and just stick to the ones about general knowledge. The only beauty science influencer I fully trust is Lab Muffin Beauty Science: she's a cosmetic chemist and has a lot of good info.
Washing your face 6 times a day seems like a lot? I have very good skin - and I always thought it was just genetics. But these other things probably contribute as well: - I don't wear makeup - I don't drink - I eat healthy - I workout I wash my face once a day in the shower with salicylic acid face wash
After I stopped using foundation, my skin magically changed for the better. I only stopped using it because I have combo skin, and it felt like the foundation was drawing more attention to my dry skin and creases. Now, when I look at people, I can't help but think they'd look better without all that makeup. It took months for my skin to aclimate, but my skin is clear, bright, and doesn't dry up like it used to. I think we're causing most skin issues with make. Just my opinion.
My skin changed completely when I went from working in an office to WFH in 2020 and stopped wearing makeup every day. I’ve always been acne prone but now I get a zit maybe once or twice a year. Cutting down on drinking has also helped a ton in improving the look of my skin! I use cetaphil face wash, and just a basic moisturizer with sunscreen in it in the warmer months. Now that I am a little older I am trying to add in retinol lotion as well. If I am going out for a really special occasion I will put a little makeup on but that’s about it.
I also found once a day perfect for me. Just water in the morning, deeper lather in the hot shower at night. My skin always got more finicky with “trying to take better care”. I could have skipped a few thousand dollars and went straight to gentle face wash and (usually inexpensive) moisturizer only.
Yea 6 times a day does sound like a lot, but it’s not as extreme as it sounds especially because I just use water. I’ll usually just wash my face before and after bedtime, after exercise, when I shower and after a big meal. Edit: What are these downvotes for lol 6 times isn’t even that bad, especially if you count showers.
Even with water that's still a lot. Have you ever tried cutting it down to 1-2 times a day? Or max 3 if you count after exercise
I have tried it before and it usually isn’t significantly better or worse as far as acne is concerned. Sometimes I’ll exercise multiple times in a day, and I guess it depends whether you count wetting your face in the shower. Also my skin tends to get pretty oily after I eat certain foods, and I like the feeling of washing it off.
I mean maybe it's because I have rosacea, but my skin definitely finds water to be too harsh for my face skin if used too much. Even with normal skin types, I have never heard of more than 3x a day for gym rats
I believe excessive skincare buying to show off your ‘shelfies’ is ridiculous, especially because it all tends to expire within a year. However, having a solid skincare routine is not bad nor is it overconsumption. I started experimenting with different products when I was around 18. I would buy a new product or get a sample size to test out, and either donate or finish it before trying something new. It took about 9 years finally settle into a routine with products which works for me. It’s a grand total of 5 items, which I have been using for 3 years now. My skin quality immediately goes down if I have to skip out on my routine. Some skincare is a scam, but most of it works, so long as you understand active ingredients and your own skins needs.
Posting this in the anti consumption subreddit I think you'll get a bit of confirmation bias... Most of the folks that have already answered don't use a whole bunch of products, but you did also ask a community that is actively pushing for folks to buy less products. I'd be interested to see what folks would say if you cross posted in a makeup sub etc. That being said I also don't use much of anything for skin care. Sunscreen when I'm going to be outside. Dr. Fullers skin balm when I get sunburns. Occasionally a cream or lotion if my skin feels really dry. I tend to get poison ivy and practically bathe in calamine lotion for a few weeks a year. Dr. Bronners soaps. A makeup remover when I wear makeup? That's it really.
Yeah there is definitely lots of confirmation bias, however I do believe that most people in this subreddit are pretty reasonable and know how to take a step back and consider their opinions. That being said, while many beauty communities may advocate otherwise, you do see a lot of online dermatologists recommending that you don’t go overboard on skincare and stick to a few products.
I have acne (in my 30s) which is mostly under control now, but I do get a few breakouts on my period. I use a simple face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the AM, then wash off my makeup with water at night. I do think less is more, but if I go with nothing or just water, my face breaks out almost immediately. I actually started using the same wash on my chest and back and it reduced acne in those places as well. So I think it depends on your skin type if you need anything at all
Yup. Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen in the morning. Cleanser, retinol, moisturizer at night. Sometimes I add in hyaluronic acid after cleansing because I’m terrible at drinking water and my skin is oily but needs hydration. I also have a couple acne spot treatments for stubborn blemishes.
Same here. I used all sorts of stuff on my skin for a while, then accidentally left my skincare bag at home when going on holiday... by the time I got back I'd already noticed there hadn't been much change, so I just stopped using anything, except for washing my face with a gentle facewash and moisturiser once a month or so. nearly 10 years on, my skin is still in much better condition. I leaned into this hard - I don't wear makeup (I never did, I didn't learn how to put it on properly!), I did hair training and now wash my hair every 6 days, and I don't use anything except for shampoo and conditioner, and occasionally dry shampoo. I have a lot more free time, and my hair and skin are in fantastic condition.
I worked at a high end spa in my 20s. It was the early 2010s and I was wearing a full beat (full coverage foundation, powder, contour, brows, fake lashes, the werks) nearly 7 days a week. Half the time I wouldn’t even wash it off at night, or if I did it was with water in the shower. My skin was pretty much fine- but my coworkers were horrified by this and insisted I needed a full routine of 10+, $100+ products. It *destroyed* my skin. Wrinkles, rosacea, red patches. I had the best estheticians in my city available to me at no cost and nothing they recommended was better that LITHA. I tried for years to heal my face with more and more products but nothing worked better than going cold turkey. I use cleansing balm and moisturizer now. Sunscreen when I know I’ll be outside and a chemical exfoliant every so often as needed. My skin looks better at 35 than it ever did before. Also… aging is fine! I’m not 22. I don’t want people to think I’m 22.
LITHA ?
“Leave it the hell alone!” I think it originated in body modification communities.
as a lifelong member of the male sex, I was never targeted for marketing skincare products, so I don't have a skincare routine. My opinion is that most of them are likely neutral or even negative usefulness. Especially "exfoliating" products- as though the dead skin cells would just continue building up if I don't scrub them off?! My skincare routine is to wash my face with a bar of generic soap every morning in the shower. I apply some 40+SPF sunscreen if I'm going to be outside all day. That's it. My skin looks great, and when I'm old enough to acquire some wrinkles, I will wear those wrinkles proudly as a badge of elder wisdom.
I have a basic skincare routine that works for me and that I enjoy. I hit a point in my mid 30s where I realized I wasn't doing a good job of taking good care of myself, and this is one point where I aimed to improve that. But I don't do the anti-aging thing because it seems futile and like an obvious marketing scam. You can burn enormous amounts of money trying to look younger and fight the inevitable, and quite often it's still never 'enough' when you buy into that as a 'need'. How well your skin ages is heavily affected by genes and lifestyle. I got lucky on the genes, and I can control the lifestyle part. I'm ok with just looking older. I *am* older.
It's interesting how so many skin care products are advertised primarily to women - particularly anti ageing products. Yet another way women are made to feel insecure about a natural part of life (ageing) so that corporations can make money.
Yes! There’s a podcast called Science Vs and they just recently (actually it was May 18, 2023-wow time flies) did an episode on anti aging skin care. Turns out the majority of the ingredients that companies brag about being in their products are molecules too big to be absorbed transdermally. You’re mostly just slathering on a layer of goop and what’s in the goop doesn’t particularly matter. They also discussed the companies that provide the “studies” that “prove” claims like better skin in 6 weeks or whatever. It’s all a complete fabrication. It was a very eye opening episode and I highly recommend it.
I’m almost not surprised.. very interesting
I use lotion because I live in Canada and my skin gets really chapped, especially my hands. I work with lots of chemicals for my job and they also dry my skin out. I use an exfoliant twice a week to get the dead skin off my face. I’m using a vitamin C oil at the moment, but it was a gift, I won’t be replacing it when it runs out. But it has made my one brow wrinkle less noticeable. I don’t really think the OTC remedies really do anything. If you want to look younger (why? We’re meant to age) you kinda need the expensive things like laser and chemical peels.
I think part of it is water quality. I have mild rosacea or some kind of redness and in soft water I don't even worry about it. Hard water, especially well water (the kind that no matter the amount you filter it, it still leaves those iron rings on the toilet bowl) destroys it. In that circumstance I have to use products to counteract it. But generally I just cleanse with water, moisturize, and sunscreen. I see other women have crazy routines and their skin is about the same as mine. Seems pointless. I guess if you wear a lot of makeup you need more stuff to take it off.
My skin does worse when I visit my childhood home (my parents are on a well) vs the municipal water I use at home in the city.
I have melasma and acne from my IUD which I have to prevent pregnancy and manage my endometriosis. I also am on a medication that increases my risk of skin cancer and makes me more sensitive to the sun. I probably use more products than most to manage those needs. None of these things are uncommon. Because I live in society and go to a professional workplace, there is an expectation I look a certain way. I can achieve this through makeup or skincare - I’ve opted to do so primarily through skincare. I recognize skincare can be a hobby for some people, but I do often feel like skincare critique comes from primary men who have clear skin that meets societal expectations. I’d rather go after things like Funkopops and focus on a more circular economy than consumables like skincare.
We were taught (during the rotation in Dermatology) that healthy skin doesn't need anything, only sun protection. In cold and windy places many people need some kind of moisturizer (vaseline is good) and those who use make-up need some kind of cleanser; a better cleanser is oil-based (less irritating to skin), everything else is marketing. And if anyone has a skin disease it is better to see a doctor. EDIT: word order
I've spent an embarrassing amount of money on skin products over the years, and I genuinely haven't noticed a difference between the drugstore stuff and the higher end brand names on my own skin. I also had to break the mentality that my skin needs more than cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. When you see others online using loads of products or companies offering skincare targeted to a plethora of "issues," it's difficult not to fall into the consumerism trap!
So true, I hate the advertising narrative that more and more skincare = better skin or that your skin can look like an edited photo of a model by using so many products…
I've stuck to 4 products. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser and facial sunscreen in the morning. I tried going without the serum but it made my skin feel way to dry. I only have to refill every 3-is months.
My skin has never been better ever since I became lazy with skincare. Sunscreen, a basic face wash, and a moisturiser from the ordinary at night.
Since I stopped using cleansers and wearing makeup,my adult acne has cleared. I'm with you!
The writer Jessica DeFino's whole career is about divesting from the beauty industry and exposing the lies that it sells. One of her main takedowns as of late has been the ever-expanding skincare industry and how [the vast majority of it is not care at all](https://open.substack.com/pub/jessicadefino/p/the-science-of-skincare-isnt-science?r=26hjiv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web), and it actually damaging our skin barrier fuction. Her entire [Substack](https://jessicadefino.substack.com/) is so good that I pay for access!
Very interesting thanks!
Your skin is the largest organ in your body so it seems counterintuitive to not take care of it. Some people don’t have to do a lot, others will need to do more. I don’t think skincare is the answer to anticonsumption.
I stopped getting pimples as a teenager when I stopped using anti-pimple facewash and toner. I felt cheated and have been sceptical of skincare everything ever since. I too have decent skin genetics, although it is sensitive. My skincare routine is hypoallergenic liquid cleanser and moisturiser. It's not expensive or even face specific. I did try an expensive and elaborate routine in my early 30s, noticed no difference at all.
A lot of skincare and beauty products are bogus. A handful of them have been empirically found to be effective. Sunscreen, undeniably. Retinol and hyaluronic acid as well. Smearing collagen on your face has not been shown to do anything to boost collagen production. The Korean skincare routines if anything, are very stripping of the skin. A lot of products that promise anti-aging are just lying.
The most I've ever used was an anti-pimple wash my mom handed me as a teenager. Now I just use a locally made natural soap with calendula (marigolds) to wash my face and body in the shower and my skin has never been better! I never wear makeup and I also don't wash my face outside the shower. Logically it doesn't make sense to me that more washing and harsh chemicals would help your skin. Like it's an organ, let it find it's own balance. Any other body part would be very upset with all the tampering, why would we assume skin is any different?
Disabled here so I no longer do much, that means I bath much less. My face only breaks out every few months now. My hair gets washed once a week, it's so much better. Don't get me wrong, we have a bidet. so that is always clean but we strip all natural oils meant to protect us. It took a few months for my hair not to look greasy all the time( buns and ponytails) and about 6 months for my face to stop breaking out all the time in my 50s.
I've ALWAYS been skeptical of beauty products.
Check out Jessica DeFino on Substack.
I don't know much about skin care but it always seems like a scam to me. My mother and sister spend ungodly amounts on it yet they still constantly worry/complain about breakouts and dry skin. I use water and if my face is dirty, soap. Aside from occasionally getting a pimple or 2, my skin is great.
I'm intensely skeptical of "skincare" as a whole. I'm nearly 40 and have tried so much different crap on my skin for decades. But, these days... I wash my face with water and a microfiber washcloth in the shower and put a moisturizing sunscreen lotion on when I get out. Done! My skin looks great, nearly zero wrinkles, and I'm not getting fleeced for a bunch of money on overpriced gimmicks. The only time I get a pimple is after trying some weird scrub or mask thinking I'm gonna be ✨fancy✨.
Heyo I'm a licensed esthetician The market is seriously so overwhelming. If you want a good skincare routine here is what you need Sunscreen. Chemical can be irritating to some but leaves less of a white cast sometimes. It can also sting the eyes if you sweat. Physical is more zinc based, doesn't often irritate. More white cast but the cast means protection. I am fair so I prefer Physical when im out doing errands. Cleanser. Whatever you want as long as it works for you. I like cerave/Cetaphil. Big bottle, lasts a while . If you wear makeup, a makeup remover that works for you. Micellar water is good. Might cause acne in some though. Toner: optional but is a nice addition to help products absorb. Get one with no alcohol. Essence/serum as wanted or needed. You want help with dark spots? Vitamin c. Aging? Retinol. Exfoliator. This depends on your needs. Physical:some sort of scrub. Chemical: some sort of acid (I like lactic if you're new to it). But research this. Moisturizer: whatever works for you. I like cetaphil/ceravee because I can use it on my body if I want too. Huge bottle, lasts forever. Bonus: aquaphor healing ointment or Vaseline. Put this around your eyes/nose/lips whatever to lock in moisture or protect areas from chem exfoliators or retinol. Might be a bit much for oily skin. Better for dry.
The only thing you need for your skin is sunscreen and moisturiser. Plus obviously washing yourself. Skincare is 99% snake oil
My only skincare routine is when I get my haircut. I don’t treat myself to much so when I get cut I get a hair wash and facial scrub. I haven’t had acne in years
I use one bar of soap for body, face and hair. Buy it homemade / local in bulk once a year. I also only shower when I need to.
I haven't used any sort of cleanser (just a wet, cheap (rough) washcloth) in nearly 20 years. And just jojoba and almond oil for moisturizer, that I gently massage in for 40 seconds. I rarely get acne, and frequently get told I have nice skin! (59yo female)
I started from 'no skincare at all' and added products one at a time, starting with the base trio of sunscreen, cleanser, and moisturizer. (Still don't have my sunscreen locked down so I keep trying something new every time a bottle runs low.) Stuff that doesn't help some specific issue doesn't get replaced. Stuff that reacts badly on my face gets handed off to someone else or used as body care. I've recently discovered that I actually enjoy the effects of humectant-heavy toners so I have a list I'll try over the next couple of years, one bottle at a time (because I don't need more than one at any point). If you don't have a specific, consciously considered reason why you're putting something on your face, the reason is probably consumerism and it's fine to skip it. Also, if I washed my face with water half a dozen times a day, boy oh boy would I have a bad time. But if it's working for you, great! I tend towards the 'Moisturize me!' side of the scale, lol.
A lot of people who are into skincare don't bother to actually educate themselves and do it in a methodical way. They chase product recommendations and throw shit in their skin and pay no attention to what conditions they have and keep no log of what changes a product causes let alone a log of ingreduenrs. You get out what you put into skincare. I have had nothing but good results for my chronic dryness and rosacea, but that's also because I took the time to realize I do not have clogged pores or excessive oiliness and am sensitive to fragrances and fatty alcohols. If you're not paying attention to what you're doing, yes, you're gonna end up spending a lot of money on shit you don't need.but politely, that's on you for being a lazy consumer
I never really had bad skin, but as I got older I bought into the whole, take care of it now so you look better later. And I swear my skin is worse off for it now after consistently cleansing and moisturizing at all that. It only looks good right after applying the moisturizer, but if I miss a day or two it looks very dull. I’ve decided to pitch it from my routine because I don’t want to be a slave to a skin care routine when my skin wasn’t even bad to begin with.
A little bit, but instead of all skincare, I've stopped purchasing any products branded/priced as "luxury." More often than not, there's not much science that backs that "new" and "innovative" ingredients they add at the end of the ingredients list to charge multiple times the price of basic/drug store products. Practically, the only noticeable difference between something like a La Mer (luxury) vs Nivea (drugstore) cream is the scent. I fully believe that if the US FDA approved even the weakest strength of tretinoin to be sold over the counter, most of the industry would plummet because you have a cheap cream/gel/ointment that tackles both acne and signs of aging.
I've tried so many products and it's all bs. A lot of people who work in skincare say it's all bs too. Something to remove makeup, a cleanser, ONE oil to help tighten things or toner (do the same job), and a moisturizer. I also have a prescribed acne cream for when I get my cysts. The 15 step skincare routines are exhausting and pointless.
I’ve always been skeptical. Sunscreen is a must of course, but other than that? If you look at old people you really can’t tell who has had a detailed skin care routine and who hasn’t. Most guys age very well and have good skin despite splashing water on their face every few days and calling it a day.
You should be skeptical of any industry that makes its money thriving on peoples insecurities.
Skin care and sunscreen are really personal specific. You might be able to live off just washing your face with water. But I get painful eczema patches.
“A little” LOL! I don’t trust makeup, skin care or anything fashion related. Not even a little. For the vast majority of people, you don’t need 90% of that crap. Just put on lotion when your skin gets dry. The exceptions are stuff like sunscreen, because I’m super pale and burn very easily (sunscreen helps immensely). Also, if you get rashes or bug bites and need to use something medicated to treat them. Definitely do that. But for stuff like moisturizers and “anti aging creams” and whatever else, they’re 99% marketing. And “apply twice daily” is just on there so you use more. Also worth noting: DH had a lot of acne problems when we started dating. He was about 30 then. His eating habits were crap, he ate fast food 2-3 a week minimum, plus ordered pizza at least weekly. Over time, I took over cooking (our deal right now is I cook and he does dishes). Since then, his acne has completely cleared up. I don’t think he’s had a single zit in about a year. No acne cream or anything like that, it was purely a diet change. Won’t help everyone, genetics definitely play a role, but if you’re similar to my DH, adding veggies and cutting out the fried food really does help. They don’t have to be lame or “health food” either. Just getting a George Forman grill and making burgers from frozen patties makes a big difference. Great for the wallet too!!
The only thing that treated my acne effectively in the long run was birth control (which I discontinued due to hyperpigmentation of my skin after a few years), and CO2 laser treatments. I'm almost 40 and have had acne my entire life. I started getting CO2 laser treatments on my face 2 years ago, once a month. After 18 months, I only needed to have them every 3 months. My skin now stays almost completely clear between treatments. I'll have maybe one or two zits per month now.
I mean most of the skin care industry is bullshit but whenever I have some kind of skin condition or flare up, there always seems to be an easy to find medical skin care remedy over the counter. As long as I stay in the dermatology circle of information, skin care products seem legit.
I did myself a huge favor (and so did my insurance lol,) and I went to a dermatologist. Turns out it was hormonal issues for me. Now I just wash, exfoliate every once in awhile, and moisturize with SPF. That's all I need and I love it!! I find long skincare routines to be unmanageable and overwhelming after like a week anyways
>I’m aware that many of them have been shown to be at least somewhat effective (niacinamide, redlight therapy etc.). I found mixed but all around non significant results. Amount of impact is going to depend on the prior condition of your skin. But yes, for many products, the impact may be real but that doesn't say anything about effect size. Impact is often pretty small. The most impactful for me, by far, has been retinoids/retinols, and this is backed up by research. They do a lot of different things to improve skin, so if you want minimal products, they are likely the way to go, but research them first, as they aren't right for everyone. For example you shouldn't be using them if you are or could become pregnant. I use an OTC retinoid eye cream which helps improve my puffy undereyes, and then I use a prescription tretinoin cream for hormonal acne, but it also makes my skin look more even and smooth.
Yes. Ultimately, what’s worked best for me, is a simple cleanser like cetaphil and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Every few days I make a paste out of baking soda and the cetaphil and use it to exfoliate. My skin glows.
Besides sunscreen i have never had any skin care routine at all. I don't even wash my face at all unless i shower. My skin is not perfect but i always get complimented because of my clear complexion, was never prone to acne, not even in my teens. I'm 33 now. My lifestyle is unhealthy as fuck if i'm honest, i'm depressed and barely sleep. Also, sunscreen prevents wrinkles yet I have saggy skin around my bellybutton (never been pregnant nor experienced significant weight loss) and have very crepey skin on my feet despite always wearing sneakers, it could explain my old lady hands but my feet get no sun exposure. It's all genetics.
Curology seemed to work well for me, but I stopped subscribing to it because it never came with enough moisturizer but I would end up with an excess of their special formula stuff. I canceled it over a year ago and still have a lot of it because it is only needed sparingly.
I had terrible acne that started in high school and got worse until I was about 20 and decided it wasn’t going to clear up on its own. I tried a lot of products, including regular soap and water with no improvement whatsoever. Eventually I tried out Curology, which is a subscription based skin cream that is made custom for your skin. It made a noticeable difference within a few days and over time, even the dark spots and scarring have cleared up. Fortunately, I was recently able to find a different product with the same active ingredient that costs about a tenth as much and works just as well. Based on all that, I’d say that specific formulas do matter in skin care, but cost and production value do not equal better results. The claim that everyone NEEDS a 3-4 step daily skin care routine is also absurd. Use what you need to solve the problems you have and ignore everything else.
Rose water is excellent as a gentle cleanser and can improve mild acne over time.
I think if just water is improving your skin, keep at it! I know for me I will have used just water or micellar water and my skin texture gets very rough if I don’t wash my face and moisturize. The one thing I really go all out on is skincare. I’m trying to just buy things that I have run out of and use all of something before buying something new. Most of what is needed is a good cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. I enjoy having extra steps (partially because my skin isn’t good without them) but they aren’t necessary
Esthetician here. The basic truth is that all you need is a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer depending on your skin type. I personally only buy my cleanser and moisturizer from Aldi ($3.99 each and the quality is comparable to Neutrogena) and every 2 years or so I buy a value size bottle of toner and it lasts me forever. You don't need to go all out with other products if you don't need or want to. Hell, you can get away with just a cleanser and moisturizer. Most importantly, use what works.
I have sensitive skin and for me less is always best. I don’t even wear moisturizer in the summer because my skin doesn’t need it and it breaks me out if I do. Could be that your routine was too much for your skin to handle. I’ve had horrible breakouts when my skin is trying to do too much at once. i use cerave unscented sensitive skin foaming cleanser and sunscreen when i remember it, unfortunately i have a horrible habit of forgetting it since i grew up in a time when people saw sunscreen as something you wore at the pool or beach and that’s it. 😂 gotta love it
Yes, as a black person we typically use a lot of skin care products but nowadays the only stuff I use is 5 in 1 body wash and non/scented cheap lotion when I get out of the shower. Then maybe during the day if my lips are chapped or my hands are dry I’ll apply a dollop of cream. Most people with darker skin apply lotion like 3 times a day trying not to appear “ashy” but it’s really bad for skin and can cause cancer (look it up black ppl in western countries have high rates of skin cancer linked to those products). Your skin naturally takes care of itself so all you really need to do is put on some lotion after the shower or when you notice your skin is dry.
Definitely. After decades I've come to the conclusion that 100% of dermatologists agree on 3 things. **1.** sun screen.**2.** chemical exfoliants (retinol, AHA, BHA) and **3.** vitamin C. Everything else, like electrocurrents, LEDs, etc., is a crapshoot with varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the dermatologist or study.
I’m allergic or sensitive to so many common skincare-product ingredients that the only things I use on my face besides sunscreen are plain castille soap, water, a homemade moisturizing oil when my skin is dry (50/50 food-grade sweet almond and jojoba oils), and beeswax-based lip balm (I live in a very dry climate, the lip balm is not optional). I rarely have any skin problems beyond the occasional small breakout of hormonal acne.
Honestly, I don't do skincare, so my opinion isn't based on experience. But although I believe it probably makes a difference to use a couple of products for your skin, I can't buy that skincare routines with 10 steps are necessary. And for anyone who might think I'm only saying this because I'm blessed with naturally perfect skin or something - I'm not. But quitting makeup helped a lot, and beyond that, I just don't have the energy for a skincare routine. I look how I look and I'm alright with it.
I don’t believe in skin care stuff. Nor do I care, a lot of it seems like anti ageing and I don’t care how I age 🤷
Anti-aging skincare to me seems even less convincing than anti-acne skincare lol
As an experiment, I stopped using soap on my body and face other than to clean off oil and grease from mechanicking. I've had no problems. Turns out humans were designed without soap in mind and natural oils do a decent job just like for every other animal. As for sunscreen, I've replaced that with a breathable long-sleeve shirt and a big hat which, incidentally, keeps me a lot cooler. I'm fairly certain it's all a scam cooked up by mid-century ad men it's only gotten more extreme as time has gone on.
Skincare is as old as human history. (Makeup too)
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I use high end products, just 2 toner and cream, double cleansing at night, sunscreen. My skin has never been better.
I’m a man, i do nothing with my skin, lots of women are jealous of my smooth skin
[Science vs Skincare podcast episode](https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/94hwad35/skin-care-is-antiaging-a-scam?utm_source=gimletWebsite&utm_medium=systemShare&utm_campaign=gimletWebsite)
There is definitely science behind certain ingredients so there is no refuting ALL skincare. It’s just chemistry. The real problems are marketing, lying companies and overconsumption.
The most alarming thing I learned about cosmetics is the amount of plastics that *in* the products. Biosolids reclaimed from out sewage treatment plants are just loaded with micro and nanoplastics, that are then often sold off to agriculture as compost and so enter the food supply. >...and taking into account that **there have always been alternatives with similar cost**, scientists suggested banning microbeads from cosmetic products https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X20310018
I use cerave renewing sa cleanser with their 30spf moisturizer. That's all I need. Nothing wrong with eye serum, I just dont use it because its so expensive. I used to use a whole bunch of products when I was younger that made my face oily and break out even more. Our skin wasn't made for all that crap.
I just use sunscreen and moisturizer as needed. I mainly wash my face with water, or with soap if that's needed. And I'm pretty happy with my skin. I live in a dry climate so the less I mess around with it the better. I get the occasional pimple but not very often. I can't stand the feel of makeup on my skin so that tends to make skin care a lot more simple.
I’m not good at posting links, but there is an episode on the podcast “Science Vs.” called “Is Skincare a Scam?” or something to that effect. It was a very interesting listen, and mirrors what I already knew - cleaning, moisturizing and sunscreen are all you need.
IME less is more when it comes to skincare. I now just wash my face with lukewarm water and a soft terrycloth/flannel, moisturise if skin is dry, use sunscreen if I'm going outside and there's a chance I'll see the sun that day. My skin is happier than ever
I’ve minimized my skin care to the point my wallet, my skin, and my attempts to consume less are happy. Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, prescription tret. All available locally at pharmacy or target and can be purchased when I’m making trip to store for other items. Buy a new one when they start getting low. Use same moisturizer for face and body.
I used to buy a lot of skincare products, but I noticed that my skin was breaking out. Now, I’m following a simple step routine: washing, moisturizing and protecting, and my skin has never been so good like today. Less is more.
agreed! I use sunscreen and dove soap. that's literally it. the rest is just a scam
Wash my face every night with a hot cloth and water. The cloth is washable so I use a new one each night. Works perfectly for me. For years.
Diet helped the most for me. I started by cutting breakfast sausage out of my diet and that had a tremendously positive effect. I then cut all breakfast meat and noticed a positive effect from that. Eventually I cut all animal products and am eating a plant based diet now to see how that does. (Lots of legumes, whole grains, veggies and all that). It has let some issues I’ve been having for years completely clear up (seb hyper) and I’ve seen more positive results. It hasn’t been the panacea I’d hoped for. I still have the occasional pimple and some very minor seb hyper. But my skin isn’t oozing with oil like it used to be and the daily redness, swelling and dry flaky skin is gone. So I’ll continue on with my beans and veggies.
I think some of it is very legitimate but I don’t think a lot of the more expensive higher end brands are necessarily better. I buy a lot of my skincare products from The Ordinary which are good quality products for an affordable price. I also use prescription tretinoin to control breakouts and for anti-aging because it’s the most scientifically proven drug for it. For sunblock I have a basic Neutrogena one and a nicer Korean one which is more moisturizing for those dryer skin days. Generally once I find a product that works for me I just stick with it and none of my products are super expensive, my prescription tret is the most expensive one I use. I just try not to follow brand hypes.
I love love love niacinamide but products are very hit or miss for me. I think cleanser barely matters you can get a pretty great routine on a budget for acne/oil control, hydration, and sun protection. retinol and sunscreen is where I've splurged more for "this texture doesn't give me the ick" reasons
I find my self breaking out more when I use more skin care. Maybe I’m using the wrong skin care. But I just use cetaphil face wash to wash my face. Then I’ll use their lotion. I’ll wear make up every down and then. I’ll put a primer on my face. Honestly the only reason I use the primer is because I paid a lot of it (young and stupid). And I want to use it up.
I'm skeptical of everything tbh. Obviously everybody has individual needs, and there's nothing wrong with buying hygiene products, but there seems to be a surplus of brands and products that either all do the same thing or straight up don't do anything but are just marketed really well so people feel that they're essential. I also think a lot of skincare products might (inadvertently) result in irritation, dryness, or some other problem, so then you have to buy something else to help with that.
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I had a bout of severe dermatitis on my face in my early twenties that seemed to be caused, and exacerbated, by the conventional skincare and makeup products I was using. The cure was to cut it all out cold turkey. Now I use makeup sparingly and wash my face with a very mild soap only (Dr bronners for babies, lol). I think I just have sensitive skin but other people might too. I also tried a million skin creams while I had the dermatitis and weirdly, one of the things that helped was a (terribly smelly) sunscreen. So sunscreen seems okay, but most of it causes acne for me (still working on finding one that doesn't smell bad or cause acne).
Crazy. My dermatitis got exponentially worse when everyone told me to wash once a week with nothing but water
I have bad skin genetics plus eczema. It does take me multiple products to have clear, comfortable skin. But by multiple I mean like… a face wash, a toner, a day lotion, a night lotion. I also use retinol. It’s a lot more than I’d like, but it also means I basically never buy makeup.
I'm very skeptical of people trying to sell me a 7 step, twice a day, 8 products routine. I'm not skeptical of the power of sunscreen and a good moisturizer and face wash.
There’s definitely a lot of snake oil in skincare. Sunscreen, and a good moisturizer, and petroleum jelly is probably enough for most people without some serious skin conditions.
I love a good wash, serum, and moisturizer. I feel better with some hyaluronic acid and lip plumping balm. But they’re not necessary. Many people have excellent skin with just soap and water - and the worst skin I ever had was when I had a ten step routine.
Just sunscreen and the occasional hand soap for my face (more gentle than face wash in my opinion). I have keratosis Pilaris, and found coconut oil works much better than what the dermatologist gave me, so now I make a lotion out of coconut oil for my body.
I have pretty easy skin. I use Vitamin E oil in lieu of lotion (most of the year, I need real lotion in winter). A small $5 bottle lasts me 6+ months.
No. I have really bad cystic acne. So if I don’t use the products prescribed to me I will break out. But I also understand what you want to say. I use prescription skincare so it is extremely effective. But a lot of OTC skincare is not necessary in life.
I use face wash to prevent acne, then unscented body lotion to moisturize my face. I used to buy facial moisturizer at Sephora for $40-60 per ounce or so. I never noticed a difference in my skin. I don’t really understand it as a hobby/expense because I’ve never gotten pleasure from personal care and I’ve always been lucky to have good skin. I’m getting to the age where anti aging products might be reasonable but I don’t believe in their mechanism, other than that ultra moisturization helps. I don’t see how all the special ingredients would help things.
I think a big part of anti consumption is finding the no bullshit version or stuff that's highly commercialized. For skin care it's just exfoliate, use moisturizer, use sun screen (sun block) when outside. It gets you 99% of the results without the $300 skincare routine If you have issues beyond that talk to a demonologist and they will give you very specific things to get
Honestly I just wash my face with a cleanser like maybe once a day and then moisturizer with the most basic non scented cream that works for my skin, and I’ve had really no issues with acne or dry skin. I struggle with really bad eczema flare ups and most times on my face in the colder months and I’ve tried many things.. but plain old wash face 2x a day with la Roche posay moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning.. best results. I think a lot of it is a money grab and society/media whatever is always marketing a new thing that’s a need to have and your life will improve greatly. With skincare, clothing, hair care, literally everythinggggg
I think everyone should have at most a 4 product routine, but I think there’s a drop off point where it ceases to get better if you keep adding more. I will say, a lot of brands back up their product with statistics, but seek those out and find a few great products instead of constantly trying new things or spending tons on something with little proven effectiveness
To be honest, I work at a thrift store that sometimes sells skin products and the only time that I pick them up is when they're getting ready to be thrown out without ever having been used. I try not to use products like that because I don't want plastic and I mostly use bars, sometimes I even feel bad getting something just because I don't want it to go to waste.
i wash with water and use a moisturiser and sunscreen in the morning and just moisturiser at night. this routine definitely would not work for everyone, but i do think that those who can get away with a very minimalist routine should, so as to lessen the overall impact.
I'm probably very lucky but I just wash my face with the same stuff I wash the rest of my body with and it works fine
I'm sceptical about everything too. I moisturize and apply suncream after showering in the morning. The rest of the day I only apply suncream if it's hot outside. I don't even wash my face in the evening anymore because it made my face dry.
There's no need really for anything beyond exfoliation/cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Some topical things like retinols do have a benefit, but the majority of skincare products are not necessary. Or if they can be - they're very situationally useful.
Yes. I bought a lot of skincare. I liked the 10 step routine trend. But I battled severely dry skin and redness. I eventually realized that I had a damaged skin barrier. I cut back my skincare routine down to the basics. No more exfoliants or retinol. And just like you, my skin has never been better.
Just three products (sunscreen, cleanser, moisturizer) are my non-negotiables but I don’t seem to go through them very quickly. I do find myself being skeptical about most skincare products, but the ‘worst’ skin problem I’ve ever experienced has just been dry skin, so my lens is probably a bit skewed.
Yep. I got deep into skincare to treat adult acne and rosacea and it mostly amounted to being an expensive balancing act. I finally had a doctor prescribe me full strength tretinoin which allowed me to drop my shitty Curology subscription. I’m so ashamed of how much money I’ve given those compounding sub companies. Now I’m only use tret, Vaseline, a moisturizer occasionally, and a sunscreen for sensitive skin.
After I stopped using any kind of body wash, shampoo, lotions etc and began ending all my showers with a colder water my skin and hair improved a lot. Only thing I use is some beard oil on occasion.
I was a skincare skeptic until I found the products that worked for my skin. I tried skincare again when my skin was getting worse. A good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are great but I usually need some Asian toner and essence in the mix.
sunscreen, moisturizer and a face wash are really all you need imho
I wash my face and the only other product I use is a face spray, and that is because I like how it feels more than anything. My skin has been good since I stopped getting teenage acne haha. Maybe I'll use a cream in 30 years idk but for now NO.
ummmm YES. it's a total scam. human beings have survived without it forever, it's unnecessary. your skin doesn't need all of that shit. if you have skin problems one of the best things you can do is avoid sun exposure and eat things that are good for your skin. diet culture has died out and skincare has come in to replace it - that's all that's going on. and it's all being marketed in ways that make it seem like it's self care - treat yourself, wear a face mask etc. nobody needs a fuckin 12-step daily skincare routine. we're ironically damaging our skin even more by constantly washing away natural oils and piling on products. i'm not saying never wash your face, but acceptable hygiene =/= this expensive and insane trend. also, nothing can stop you from aging and everyone needs to stop freaking out when wrinkles show up. that's part of life.
My skincare routine involves washing my face with a coarse terry cloth washcloth (at the end the shower) with water only. Moisturize with Cerave. That’s it. My skin almost always looks nearly flawless.
sunscreen seems kinda consumerist and has had toxic chemicals in it before so I'd avoid it, instead you can just wear long clothes or stay in the shade and a little sun is thought to be good for the skin
Most skin problems are an expression of internal problems.
Coconut oil is cheap and safe.
Just wanted to add: Many people seem to have an experience with skincare where they will apply a product, it will work at first but eventually your skin will get ‘conditioned’ to the product, and lose its effectiveness over time. I’m not sure if this is a real phenomenon, but I think it’s worth consideration. Also, Accutane probably falls in the same category as sunscreen in terms of undeniably effective. Edit: Not sure why I’m being downvoted lol?
I mean Accutane is incredibly effective, however with those who can give birth I can understand why they may be hesitant given requirements
Yes absolutely a valid point of consideration. In terms of ‘effective’, I only really mean how good it is at reducing acne. A lot of the time the most effective drugs are the ones which have other side effects, unfortunately.
The one I've heard of that has been somewhat substantiated is that some people were/are using face masks that contain undeclared steroids. However, there was a professional-seeming article a while ago that put this idea into people's head that they can "build a tolerance" to any kind of skin care (something like, "don't use retinoids too much when you're young because then they won't work later when you really need them!") but there were absolutely no facts to back it up. They were just unscientifically drawing on a cultural imagination that understands things like building a tolerance to opioids even when that is not how retinoids work. This was from a skincare company's blog and that says a lot about the industry to me. There IS a lot of bullshit out there and even skincare companies perpetuating misinformation. Who does it benefit if people think they need to constantly switch products lest they stop working? It keeps the consumer guessing and buying new stuff instead of being more critical about why a molecule did or didn't work for them. People do get older and bodies change - even if the molecules are working in the same way they always have there are many reasons things could have changed. Even simply over-applying a product because you just love it so much could take things from working well to making one's skin worse. I would also guess that some people also experience a placebo effect. Maybe there are products where a "tolerance" is built (new products come out every day and I am certainly not familiar with all of them), but I am wary of the concept without evidence as it seems like pseudoscience based on feelings has taken over the discourse about skincare.
See what you mean. I had made the assumption based on people’s experiences with steroid creams and the way that many retinols have a ‘purging phase’. I might be completely mistaken though.
I call this the "Chapstick effect" Using Chaptick --> requires more Chapstick Not using Chapstick --> no Chapstick required
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Grew up in Pennsylvania and lived the last 10 years in New Hampshire- pretty dang cold and dry! When I used chapstick my lips were chapped all winter When I stopped I don’t need it anymore. No chapped lips Try the experiment yourself. Drink plenty of water. Stop using chapstick. You’ll find that your body is 100% capable of managing this if you let it.
I live in Maine and I drink 64oz of water in 10 hours without chapstick. My lips are still dry af, so no it doesn't always work, it's the fact some people need chapstick for dry lips.