Charcoal Peel-Off Masks
Although peel-off masks might be satisfying, they could cause more harm than good. "Though peels are ok for some, they can be harsh for those with sensitive skin," dermatologist Noelani González, MD, told Byrdie.
Andy Millard, a member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and registered facialist, also explained the problem behind these charcoal peel-off masks. "As for all those 'blackheads' it pulls out, the majority of the oils pulled from the skin will be sebaceous filaments and actually needed by the skin... blocked pores are entirely different to sebum lined pores. As a one off, the skin is likely to recover without issue but continued use, stripping away the skin's natural oils and irritating the skin is a sure fast track to secondary skin concerns."
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has gotten mixed reviews from skincare experts, so consult your dermatologist to make an informed decision on your particular skincare needs. However, if you do have sensitive skin (or conditions like rosacea or eczema), chances are you should avoid products that contain this ingredient.
"When the skin barrier is severely disrupted, it develops microscopic cracks with lots of dehydration," Joshua Zeichner, M.D., New York City–based board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, explained to SELF. "Applying tea tree oil to an outer skin layer that’s already weakened to this degree can cause significant irritation and dryness."
Fragrance
You should also venture to avoid products with fragrance. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology in New York City, told Popsugar about the ways that fragrances can harm your skin -- and this list is not exactly short.
"Fragrances are known as one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and can also cause other skin conditions such as irritant contact dermatitis, contact urticaria (hives from application of an allergen such as cinnamic aldehyde, menthol, balsam of Peru, cinnamates), photo-allergic reaction, [and] phototoxic reaction," she explained.
Essential Oils
Essential oils might sound like a good idea, especially if you're venturing to include more natural ingredients in your skincare. However, the truth is that they can cause a fair deal of irritation, particularly for anyone with sensitive skin.
"Most of the components in oils can significantly irritate and damage skin. Common examples include fragrant ingredients like limonene, citronellol, and eugenol, which are all present in fragrant plant oils. The positives just don’t outweigh the negatives," Paula Begoun, the founder of Paula's Choice, explained to Women's Health.