A trip to the local pharmacy or beauty supply store can feel overwhelming when faced with thousands of products that all promise beautiful skin.
An abundance of products exist for everything from cleansing to moisturizing to toning and rejuvenation.
People frequently are willing to pay top dollar to correct skin ailments and achieve beautiful skin, but they often end up using several products to do so.
What many fail to realize is that compounding products can increase exposure to chemicals by several orders of magnitude.
Most cosmetics and beauty products contain a variety of inactive ingredients that can cause adverse reactions. Using too many products can aggravate skin conditions, cause irritation, and result in break outs.
Overuse of Skincare Products
Haphazard use of multiple products can have significant drawbacks and can actually do more harm than good. Some products are simply not effective and are even counterproductive, preventing absorption of active ingredients.
Slathering on multiple coats of moisturizer can suffocate the skin, clogging pores and resulting in breakouts, while heavy application of eye cream can cause irritation and puffiness, expanding skin tissue and reducing elasticity.
Some products contain ingredients that can cause long-term damage to the skin. Even products that have been scientifically tested can cause irritation, inflammation, puffiness and other skin damage when misused, overused, or used in combination with other products.
Facial cleansers are an important part of any skincare regimen, but skin can become sensitive and dry with over cleansing, which strips away layers of the epidermis and upsets the skin barrier function. Overzealous exfoliation can have seriously damaging effects; in addition to removing layers of the epidermis, it can also increase the chances of skin abrasions, making skin more prone to infection.
What’s in Your Cosmetics?
Like other skincare products, many cosmetics contain an alarming number of toxic chemicals that can cause adverse reactions, either alone or when combined with other products. Prolonged use of products containing harsh chemicals can increase the skin’s sensitivity and increase a person’s susceptibility to skin allergies.
Long-lasting or extended-wear makeup is particularly harmful because it usually contains harsher chemicals and requires stronger solvents to remove. To ensure the long-term health of your skin, it is best to use makeup in moderation and look for products with fewer ingredients.
Benefits of Multipurpose Products
Toxins and pollutants in our environment abound, so limiting the number of chemicals in your skincare products is especially important. Choosing a product with multiple benefits, such as one with moisturization, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and sun protection properties, is ideal.
Not only is this more cost-effective and convenient, but better for your skin. A multi-purpose product can dramatically reduce your exposure to unnecessary chemicals, reducing the risk of damage and irritation caused from an adverse chemical reaction and allowing skin to breathe.
Less truly is more when it comes to skincare products; rather than spending your time and money on several “miracle” products that promise big results yet fail to deliver, look for a single product that addresses all of your needs. Your skin will thank you for it.
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