Skincare products aren’t one-size-fits-all. While certain ingredients and products are perfect for keeping various skin types healthy and targeting particular issues, what works for one person could be detrimental when used by someone else. That’s why it’s so important to keep the specific needs of your skin in mind when curating your skincare routine. If you have dry skin, for example, there are several ingredients dermatologists say you should avoid at all costs.
To learn about the absolute worst cleanser ingredients for people who struggle with dry, aging skin, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD of MyPsoriasisTeam. She told us that benzoyl peroxide is a no-go—and so are harsh exfoliants.
Benzoyl Peroxide (BP)
Although this ingredient is frequently found as the active ingredient in over-the-counter acne treatments, Dr. Chacon says people who struggle with dry skin should avoid benzoyl peroxide (BP) as much as possible if they don't want to worsen the issue. "It is important to remember that BP can leave the skin very dry, sensitive, and flaky," she warns.
Dr. Chacon says this is something especially important for people with aging skin to keep in mind. "As we get older, skin inherently becomes drier, due to less active oil-producing glands, and doesn't retain moisture and healthy fats," she explains. That means adding a drying cleanser ingredient like BP to the mix can add flame to the fire. "When BP is used on already weakened skin that is complicated by hormonally driven acne, it adds to the problem rather than fixing it." Yikes! We'll be sure to steer clear of cleansers containing this ingredient.
Be Wary Of Exfoliants
Dr. Chacon provides one more word of caution for those with sensitive, dry skin: go easy on the exfoliating acids, in your cleanser or otherwise. This can make the issue so much worse! "Similarly to BP, over-scrubbing and over-stripping the skin of its components damages an already compromised barrier leading to dull, dry, and irritated skin," she explains. In addition to various acids like salicylic and glycolic varieties, Dr. Chacon says you should also be careful about how often you use facial scrubs and exfoliating brushes.
Overall, it's important to be mindful about the products you're putting on your skin. Even though you may think using acne-fighting ingredients and exfoliating are the keys to clearer, smoother skin, it's always best to err on the side of caution, especially if you want to avoid irritation and dryness. Sometimes less really is more!
