The skin care industry wants to sell you lots of women’s beauty products, but some may not be as necessary as you think. They come up with systems or steps so that you will purchase multiple items. This is especially true for mature women who purchase products in the “anti-aging” category. Most of the time, less is more and there are several items you can skip altogether.
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I sold skincare and cosmetics for ten years and as a salesperson, we were trained to upsell. Our main objective was to offer sets that included 4-6 items that were deemed “necessary.” Over the years, I have learned that some of the “steps” are a waste of money.
Below are 4 products you DO NOT need whether you are older or younger.
1. Eye Cream
Mature women get wrinkles under the eyes so a tube of eye cream would seem to make sense. However, eye creams are generally more expensive than a moisturizer. And because the eye area is more sensitive, they have fewer active ingredients they are essentially light moisturizers. You can use your regular moisturizer under your eyes instead. Just make sure it doesn’t contain retinol or sunscreen because it may irritate your eyes.
2. Toner
Many toners made in the U.S. were traditionally formulated with alcohol. With the influx of Asian skincare products, they have become less about balancing pH and more about adding active skin-nourishing ingredients. They can be soothing and refreshing but have the same ingredients as serums and moisturizers making them redundant.
3. Face Oil
I have dry skin and always thought face oil was the answer to keeping it hydrated. The purpose of face oil is to hold moisture in especially if it is dry. But facial oil does not contain the active ingredients of a good moisturizer to prevent premature aging. It is better to use a hydrating serum under your moisturizer because it does double duty by nourishing your skin and adding extra moisture.
Another reason not to use facial oils is that the oil that is used can get rancid.
4. Face Wipes
It is convenient to use a face wipe when you are on the go, while traveling, or for a quick refresh. The problem is, that some women become dependent on them.
There are several reasons why you should avoid using them. First, they do not take off your makeup completely. If you have been wearing foundation or sunscreen, you will need to double-wash your face to get it all off. A face wipe will leave layers of makeup sitting on your face which can clog your pores.
Second, many wipes contain alcohol which will dry out your face. I don’t always like all the splashing when I wash my face over the sink so I often wash it in the shower. If you do that, just make sure to rinse with cold water afterward to close your pores.
5. Face masks
A face mask is designed to moisturize your face or tighten up your skin but it is no more effective than applying a good night cream. Use one or the other but not both together because they do the same thing.
Other skin care products older women do not need
Exfoliating scrubs
Scrubs are abrasive and are especially damaging to thinning mature skin. They are also drying and messy. Lip scrubs are unnecessary as well. You can always mix a little sugar, honey, and maybe a little coconut oil if you want to exfoliate your lips.
Essences
Essences became popular in Korean skincare and are usually a thin hydrating liquid or mist with some active ingredients. Water works just as well and the active ingredients are more effective in other products.
High foaming cleanser
Cleansers that foam can dry out your skin. A hydrating cleanser will cleanse the skin and add moisture. You should also avoid cleansers with fragrances, including some herbal blends because they can irritate the skin. An unscented and gentle hydrating cleanser is always best.
Alcohol-based skin care products
Certain types of alcohol can be harsh, especially for mature or sensitive skin. They are drying and can harm the skin’s protective surface and deplete substances necessary for healthy skin. However, some fatty alcohols like cetyl, stearyl, and Cetearyl alcohol in skincare are beneficial because they are derived from fats.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is formulated in beauty products to exfoliate the skin and brighten it. It also is used to treat skin disorders such as acne, dandruff, psoriasis, and even common warts. The purpose of it is to soften and slough off the top layers of skin. This can irritate sensitive or fragile aging skin so use it sparingly, if at all.
Specialty skincare products
These are products that are formulated for various parts of your body such as decollete, hands, feet, cellulite, etc. The truth is, you can get the same result using a good body lotion like Cerave Moisturizing Cream which I LOVE, without spending extra money.
Lash serums
As we get older our lashes get thinner but lash serums are mostly a gimmick. They can irritate your eyes and cause eye problems. It is better to use a lash curler or thickening mascara.
Pore strips
A pore strip is simply a piece of tape that does nothing for your pores. It is another gimmick you do not need.
Useless ingredients
Fad ingredients are always trending but don’t do much to enhance your skin and can be irritating. They include Rosewater, Turmeric, CBD oil, charcoal, mushrooms, and many essential oils.
To find out what beauty products every older woman should have and use, click here.
You may also enjoy How Minimal Makeup Can Make You Look Younger Over 60.
What are your favorite skincare products that you cannot live without? Please leave a comment below.
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