The Worst Beauty Products That Are Destroying Your Skin, According To A Dermatologist

Definitely think twice before using these products in your skincare routine.

Skincare is an important part of any person’s daily grooming routine. In fact, I’ll bet when the small red blemish starts to surface, there’s at least one five-step guide we all follow in an attempt to prevent that pimple.

Our skin is exposed to many harsh conditions throughout the day. Sunlight and sweat are only some of the factors that contribute to having rough skin.

However, did you know the very beauty products you may be using can also be a cause for serious breakouts and uneven skin? It’s important to always check the ingredient list on a product before application.

“I look for product lines that aren’t complicated but have antioxidants, critical nutrients for the skin, and any type of supportive oils—and aren’t synthetically derived,” Atlanta-based holistic aesthetician Erin Madigan-Fleck tells WellandGood.

Experts say that we unknowingly expose ourselves to rough chemicals that do more harm than good to our skin.

Here are five beauty products that might be seriously damaging your skin.

1. Fragrance

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Being guilty of owning one too many bottles of scented coconut and beach sunrise lotions, dermatologists actually recommend steering clear from fragrance as they're highly unregulated by the FDA. This lack of regulations allows “fragrance” and “perfumes” to be concocted with both natural and synthetic ingredients. Chemicals that simply aren’t good for one’s skin as they can be pore-clogging.

“I would never use a product with added fragrances,” New York-based dermatologist Natalie Moulton-Levy, MD tells WellandGood. “Heavily scented products often irritate the skin and can contribute to allergic reactions in some cases.”

Also, beware that fragrance isn’t just found in lotion. It can also be in your deodorants, shampoos, and perfumes.

2. Hair Products

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Bleaches and harsh dyes can cause skin irritations or your scalp to dry out. But did you know that oils found in certain shampoos can potentially cause acne on your forehead or chest and upper back?

“Pomade acne” is a term used to describe pimples caused by hair products.

New York based dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, tells Refinery29 that sometimes the chemicals aren’t too hard to find, “Products that are oil-based or cream-based, like creams, oils, and pomades, are more likely to cause a breakout.”

Switching to a mild shampoo, like baby shampoo, can be an excellent substitute for your current products with still the same cleansing result.

3. Sunscreen

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Make no mistake sunscreen is recommended to protect your sensitive skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much exposure to the sun in one sitting can cause burns. Prolonged sun exposure without the right protection can potentially lead to advanced aging and in some cases skin cancer.

However, never apply a sunblock with an SPF less than 30. Not only will such a low number not protect you from UVA or UVB rays, it can actually cause your skin to absorb rays. Be extra cautious as a study by Consumer Reports show that not all sunscreens actually live up to the SPF it’s supposed to.

A light layer of 75SPF will go a long way to maintain the longevity of your skin.

4. Extended-wear makeup

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From mascara that lasts all day to lipsticks that don’t quit until the next morning, there has always been this fascination with 24-hour wear products. Why wouldn’t there be? Between work and all the social gatherings packed in our busy schedule, a product that will last with minimal touch up sounds too good to be true.

These products are created with “silicone polymers” and “dimethicones” which isn’t healthy for the skin as they clog pores and create barriers that prevent your skin from breathing.

It’s always recommended to wash your makeup off daily and never sleep in it. Skin renews itself nightly and makeup stops that process from happening. This can lead to irritations and acne if the skin is left untreated from long hours of makeup.

5. Harsh Cleansers

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Reaching for a harsh cleanser when feeling that pimple rise comes all too naturally. However, cleaners that contain alcohol dries up the skin way too excessively.

It’s all a balancing act of trying to eliminate excess oil from the skin and keeping it looking fresh.

Other harsh cleansers include abrasive scrubs, the ones with beads, which can lead to skin irritation and dryness if not followed with a good moisturizer.