This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Any products that you apply to your face, whether they be skincare or makeup, have an effect on your skin. There are a number of high quality beauty products on the market these days, but if you don’t know what to look out for, you may accidentally be including products in your routine which are actually damaging your skin and could make the texture and appearance worse. In order to keep your beauty routine working to better your skin, according to a dermatologist, this is the one beauty product you’re better off without.
Facial scrubs are a popular addition to beauty lineups as they claim to exfoliate the skin, leaving it smooth and primed for the remainder of your products. However, according to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, you should be weary of the ingredients within your scrub. “You should definitely throw out any products containing nutshells, grains, granules, salt and sugar as a stimulant to achieve superficial exfoliation,” she says. This can even extend beyond a facial scrub--we’re looking at you, lip masks!
Exfoliation can expose brighter and clearer skin, however, using an exfoliant with sugar or salt as a primary ingredient can irritate your face, causing a flare up of a variety of issues. Dr. Green explains, “While exfoliation is key to great glowing skin, using exfoliants with these ingredients can cause skin infections and microscopic tears in the skin, especially if they are too large, jagged and not round.” Scrubbing your skin with an ingredient not solely intended for topical use may actually set you back from achieving the glowing complexion that you intended, so it’s important to stay vigilant about what your products are made of.
If it’s in your budget, a professional exfoliation treatment may be your best bet for better skin without the potential irritation. “Instead of using products with these ingredients, opt for treatments such as the HydraFacial, which is a care treatment that exfoliates dead skin cells from the face and also helps to hydrate the skin. It’s especially beneficial to individuals with acne prone skin, hyperpigmentation, oily skin or dark spots,” Dr. Green explains.
Your beauty routine should function to achieve better skin and a glowing complexion, so any products that could work against these goals should be thrown out to avoid creating further problems. Searching for a finely ground or acid exfoliant is a much better bet than opting for products which contain salt, sugar, or other large granules, so think twice before selecting your next scrub. There are an overwhelming number of beauty products to choose from, but it’s important to be selective of what actually makes it into your skincare routine.
