We all want to look pretty. We want to look pretty every second of our breathing, eating and sleeping life. I hate to admit it but my drawers are overflowing with stuff that promises to make my skin glow, my eyes twinke and my hair enviously-lustrous. Hell I think I might even be a little proud for being the kick-ass consumer in me.
But a recntly read article shattered my pride. Did you know almost half of the stuff we put up on our face is absolutely useless? Goodbye Chanel toner. As heartbroken as I was reading it, I think its time that you too should find out to not waste your hard–earned money on useless products.
1. Toner
Women swipe this on their faces to get that tingly, tight, squeaky-clean feeling, but dermatologists say that toner is an unnecessary extra step in your daily routine. Newer soaps don’t leave the residue that toner was invented to remove. “If toner makes you feel like you’re getting your makeup off, it’s fine to use it, but if you’re busy like most women, skip it.”
2. Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner
Can’t control the flakes? Over-the-counter hair products aren’t the solution, according to celebrity hairstylist, Hikari Tezuka. They can actually dry out your scalp, making dandruff worse. If you suspect you have a medical condition like psoriasis or eczema, which tend to cause dandruff, speak with your doctor, otherwise, Tezuka recommends moisturizing your scalp the old-fashioned way: brushing your hair 100 times with a natural-bristle brush before you wash your hair. This redistributes natural oils, stimulates your scalp and aids skin shedding. And a brush costs a lot less than shampoo and conditioner that you’ll continually need to replenish.
3. Foot Creams
“In the age of Purel and chronic hand-washing, everyone needs a hand cream, and you likely already own one, so why buy a foot cream too?” asks Heidi Waldorf, MD, and Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Or just use petroleum jelly. Slather it on a few times a week, put on socks and you’ll get smoother skin while you sleep. If that feels too greasy, Dr. Waldorf recommends a smoothing hand cream with humectants (they draw in water), like Dermatopics Intensive Hand Cream, sold at dermatologists’ offices.
4. Body-Firming Lotions
While you may covet dimple-free skin for your upcoming vacation, don’t bother slapping on anti-cellulite lotion. According to Dr. Day, none of these creams firm your body or reduce cellulite long-term. “If they did, I’d be first in line to buy them,” she says. Dr. Day explains that these products often contain caffeine to improve blood flow or plant extract to hydrate skin, which may temporarily work, but hitting the gym and eating right are more likely to help.
5. Vitamin E Capsules
Some say applying these directly to skin has anti-aging effects. But exposing these pills to light causes their time-reversing antioxidants to break down, says Dr. Day, rendering them useless. In fact, the preservative in the pills may irritate your face. Find a cream with vitamin E instead. It contains the vitamin in a form that light doesn’t affect, so you’ll reap the beautifying benefits.
Tags: scams, skin care