3 Popular Skincare Products You Should Never Use (and What to Use Instead)

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If you spend any time on the internet, you’re probably always seeing new skincare products touted as the latest and greatest for flawless skin. But, NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss — who boasts almost half a million followers on her Instagram account @shereeneidriss — says some of the most popular skin treatments in the market may actually do more harm than good. 

Here, she shares her top three skincare don’ts—and what to do instead. 

1. DON'T Use Scrubs!  

First off, Dr. Shereene urges everyone to put down their scrubs. 

"Scrubs are very abrasive and tend to cause micro tears on your skin that can, over time, cause inflammation," she explains. "[This] can worsen signs of aging and worsen the quality of your skin." 

DO Use Exfoliant Cleansers 

Instead, she recommends using an exfoliant cleanser like the following products from Tacha and Kate Sommerville. 

Tatcha Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Tatcha Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Sephora
$40.00

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Cleanser with AHAs & Enzymes

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Cleanser with AHAs & Enzymes

Sephora
$44.00 $35.00

“Once you're in for the night and you've washed your face off, it helps clear your skin for a fresh base the next morning,” Dr. Shereene adds. 

In the morning, she advises using facial sunscreen, such as these from Live Tinted and Starface. 

LIVE TINTED Hueguard™: 3-in-1 Mineral SPF 30, Moisturizer, Primer, 1.7 oz

LIVE TINTED Hueguard™: 3-in-1 Mineral SPF 30, Moisturizer, Primer, 1.7 oz

Amazon
$32.00

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46, Invisible Sunscreen Gel for Acne-Prone Skin, Lightweight and Non-Comedogenic, Water Resistant 80 Minutes, 1.69 oz

Starface Clear As Day SPF 46, Invisible Sunscreen Gel for Acne-Prone Skin, Lightweight and Non-Comedogenic, Water Resistant 80 Minutes, 1.69 oz

Amazon
$23.99

2. DON'T Hydrate with a Water Mist!  

Dr. Shereene debunks the popular myth that spraying water on your face in dry environments, such as in an airplane or in the cold winter months, adds moisture to your skin. The truth, she says, is exactly the opposite. "Misting water on your face continuously will make things worse, as your skin will be even drier once the water evaporates," she explains. 

DO Use a Face Mist That Contains a Humectant 

Instead, to “seal in moisture,” Dr. Shereene recommends using a face mist with a humectant such as glycerin. 

“So, you can continue to keep your face hydrated, plump, and less inflamed in the winter months." 

To make your own DIY mist, Dr. Shereene says to use equal parts distilled water and rose water with around 2 tablespoons of glycerin. 

Here's what Dr. Shereene uses:  

NOW Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing, 4-Ounce

NOW Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing, 4-Ounce

Amazon
$4.99

CORTAS Rose Flower Water, 10 OZ

CORTAS Rose Flower Water, 10 OZ

Amazon
$7.95

Portable Nano Facial Mister Mini Facial Steamer Atomization Eyelash Extensions with Mirror & 20ml Visual Water Tank (2 Packs)

Portable Nano Facial Mister Mini Facial Steamer Atomization Eyelash Extensions with Mirror & 20ml Visual Water Tank (2 Packs)

$11.99

3. DON'T Use Pore Strips! 

Though many use pore stripes to remove blackheads from their nose, Dr. Shereene says they could actually worsen skin issues. 

"The more you pull on your pores and pop out the micro plugs that are in your pores, the more you are spreading them and making them bigger over time," she says. 

Additionally, she explains that pore strips “do not treat the underlying cause, which is overproduction of sebum [an oily, waxy substance produced by your body's sebaceous glands],” and are only “getting rid of the most superficial aspect of our skin.”  

“It's normal to have buildup on our nose because our body secretes oils, and our skin renews itself every 28 days,” Dr. Shereene adds. 

She also says excess oil production can be caused by one not exfoliating their skin.  

DO Use Retinol to Fight Blackheads 

What you should do, she says, is use retinol "on alternating nights, to regulate your oil production and keep your blackheads at bay." 

To do that, Dr. Shereene recommends incorporating retinol into your skincare routine with the following products:  

Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum

Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum

Sephora
$88.00

Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum

Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum

Sephora
$69.00

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Retinol Remix 1% Retinol Treatment With Peptide & Tranexamic Acid

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Retinol Remix 1% Retinol Treatment With Peptide & Tranexamic Acid

Sephora
$48.00

IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream

IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream

Sephora
$69.00

Another way to curb excess oil is exfoliating your face with a mask, like Dr. Shereene’s Flash Mask from her PillowtalkDerm line. She recommends using the mask for around 5-20 minutes, depending on your skin’s sensitivity, and then to wash it off. She also says to use it at night after you’ve taken your makeup or sunscreen off.  

PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Flash Mask

PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Flash Mask

PillowtalkDerm
$48.00

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