We all want perfect skin, so it can be tempting to buy into skincare products and services that promise us great skin. It can be easy to get roped into "miracle creams" and products that claim to cure acne and get rid of wrinkles. However, we talked to two skincare experts and they told us there are a few skincare ripoffs you should always avoid. Click through the slideshow to make sure you're not making these mistakes.
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Dr. Adam Gropper, owner of Vivid Face spa, specializes in laser facials. As an expert in the field, he shed some insight on skincare ripoffs. Dr. Gropper warns people to be wary of D.I.Y. skincare tutorials from YouTube stars and Insta-celebrities. These influencers sometimes encourage viewers to use household chemicals, various foods, and other materials that doctors wouldn't recommend. According to Gropper, these "treatments" will often do more harm than good, so it's important to stay safe and talk to a professional first. He explains, "For example, something as benign as lemon juice, frequently touted on social media, can cause pigmentation problems if you are out in the sun afterward."
Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure cream or treatment. Dr. Gropper comments, "Wrinkle erasing creams with these amazing online videos are not going to give you the results you think. Something that’s too good to be true usually is."
To obtain truly impressive skincare results, Gropper recommends laser and light based treatments, as well as professionally administered injectables like Botox and fillers. Gropper explains, "These sorts of treatments are the only way to penetrate the skin far enough to significantly boost collagen production and/or smooth fine lines and wrinkles. They are performed by licensed professionals and give patients better skin, in some cases without pain or downtime. Stick with well-trained professionals for best results."
Bella Sante Spa’s Corporate Esthetic Director Cara Brackman echos this sentiment. She always tells clients to steer away from purchasing at-home microdermabrasion kits and even products that claim to be at-home peel treatments. She comments, "These treatments should always be done by a licensed professional that has accurate knowledge about skin conditions, types and how the skin works. At-home kits that make these claims are often very harsh and could damage the skin, or on the opposite end, they don’t have enough active ingredients to actually make a change or difference in the skin and are therefore, a waste of money."
