How to Figure Out If Your Products Are Wrong For Your Skin

Recently, I’ve been hearing people talk about the “skincare detox” trend. I’ve also heard it called a “skincare cleanse” and “skin fasting.” Whatever you call it, this trend involves stopping the use of all skincare products to allow your skin to naturally reset. The idea is that without products getting in the way, your skin will be able to balance itself and any conditions you’re struggling with—whether it’s dryness, oiliness, acne or sensitivity—will be resolved. With all the recent advancements in skincare, it can certainly be overwhelming every time you see a new product being promoted and think to yourself, “do I need to add this to my routine now, too?” It makes sense to me that the trend would pivot from elaborate, thirteen-step skincare routines to the other extreme—no routine at all. So could this be beneficial for you? Are we, in fact, using too many skincare products? Here are my thoughts.

Will a Skincare Detox Really Work?

To answer this question, I want to start by talking about what “detox” really means. Medically speaking, detoxification refers to toxic substances being removed from the body. But when it comes to beauty, the word “detox” is unregulated and its meaning is vague at best.

When the word detox is used in beauty, I like to think of it as a “reset.” Your skin is acting up, so you want to strip everything down to bare bones. Think of it kind of like “cleaning up” your diet after the holidays—you stop eating rich foods and go back to basics to make yourself feel more balanced. In the case of skincare, I do think this can be beneficial, but I don’t think anyone should stop using skincare products altogether. Instead, I suggest going back to basics to give your skin a chance to let you know what it likes or doesn’t like.

So, will a skincare detox really work? If you’re looking to remove toxins using charcoal or a clay mask, then no. But if your skin is acting up and feels out of whack, then going back to basics for a while could work for you. Keep reading to learn if a skincare detox is something you should consider.

Who Should Try a Skincare Detox?

If you’re considering a skincare detox, the first thing you want to do is ask yourself, “What problem am I trying to solve?” If you can’t clearly answer this question, then a skincare detox might not be for you. That said, here are some of the problems that could be improved by a skincare detox:

Irritated, Red, Reactive Skin

If you find that your skin frequently becomes red, hot, and/or stings when you try to perform your skincare routine, chances are you have a damaged moisture barrier. While a lot of things can cause this as I mention in this post, what I see most often is people overusing active ingredients or using products that are too harsh and irritating. Going back to basics and doing a skincare detox can definitely help you identify which products are the root of the problem. From there, you can curate a skincare routine based on your skin type that agrees with your skin and keeps it healthy-looking.

Eczema, Perioral Dermatitis, Rosacea, and Other Inflammatory Conditions

It’s not always possible to identify the triggers for these conditions, but using the wrong products is, once again, a common trigger. This problem tends to be more common in women since they’re often the ones experimenting with skincare. Even if you’re experiencing a flare-up that could be brought on by environmental triggers such as skiing, allergies, or a weather change, it can be beneficial to strip everything back to make sure your products aren’t further aggravating your skin. Of course, if these types of issues persist, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can assess your individual needs. Conditions like eczema, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis sometimes require a prescription, especially if you’ve simplified your routine and you’re not seeing improvement.

Would Someone With Acne Benefit From a Skincare Detox?

In my opinion, those with acne probably won’t benefit from a skincare detox. Most acne, especially adult acne, is caused by internal hormonal factors. Topical products are simply used to help manage the situation.

That said, if you have breakouts, using harsh or drying products can actually exacerbate breakouts by causing irritation. Irritated, inflamed skin is more likely to break out than healthy, balanced skin. Removing irritating products will help your skin repair itself and create an environment where breakouts are less likely to occur.

What’s the Best Way to Go About a Skincare Detox?

To put it simply, take it back to basics. Use only “boring” products that are gentle, soothing, and free of irritants such as artificial fragrance, artificial dyes, drying alcohols, and harsh sulfates. I don’t think it would be beneficial for someone to stop using skincare products altogether.

Instead, look for products that include barrier-repairing ingredients. While you’re getting your skin back on track, I suggest sticking to just cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. I’ve heard people mention skipping moisturizer in order to let the skin breathe. I don’t suggest this, especially if you’re struggling with any of the conditions like eczema or perioral dermatitis. First of all, skin doesn’t respire, so the idea of skin breathing is actually a myth. Just be sure to look for a moisturizer that’s suitable for your skin type to avoid clogged pores. Second, moisturizer is important because it protects the skin and prevents water loss, which can lead to an even more damaged moisture barrier. Always remember that skin cells are like fish and need water to live.

If you go back to basics for a while and your skin improves, this means you’ve been using the wrong products for your skin type.

Once your skin has been in a good place for two weeks, you can slowly start to introduce other products back into your routine. The key is to introduce them one at a time so you can tell if something irritates your skin. If you can, wait three to five days between each new product. Another great way to tell if a product is going to irritate your skin is to perform a patch test before using it on the rest of your face.

So How Many Skincare Products is Too Much?

There is no exact number, but my general philosophy is a gentle cleanser, alcohol-free toner, hydrating serum, and moisturizer (which should include SPF in the mornings). Something to keep in mind is that our skin is like a sponge and can only absorb so much. At a certain point, things just accumulate on the surface of the skin.

I understand why people want to layer on all sorts of products. There are so many amazing ingredients available, and we all want to reap the benefits. I do believe it’s good to use a variety of ingredients to give your skin a full spectrum of benefits. But rather than layering on multiple active ingredients at once, my philosophy is that it’s best to cycle through them, focusing on just one active a night so it can do its job. Using too many actives simultaneously risks irritation, which brings us back to the original problem a “skincare detox” is meant to solve.

As an example, you might use a retinol serum three nights a week, followed by three nights of an exfoliating acid serum and one night of a hydrating serum with peptides and antioxidants. Which products you use will just depend on your skin’s needs.

Putting a routine together can be overwhelming, so if you’re not sure what your skin needs, try booking a virtual consultation with a Renée Rouleau esthetician for one-on-one skin coaching!

Bottom Line

While there may be a few people who are lucky enough to have skin so well-balanced they don’t need to use products, most of us are constantly exposed to things that disrupt our skin and moisture barriers. Using the right skincare products is one of the best ways to protect our barriers, so I never recommend forgoing products altogether.

That said, if your skin is acting up, a “skincare detox” (going back to bland basics) is a good way to identify whether your products are doing more harm than good.

The post How to Figure Out If Your Products Are Wrong For Your Skin appeared first on Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau.

from Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau https://ift.tt/2SP4XNF