Pinterest Skin Care DONT'S

 I am a HUGE pinterest fan, I think it is a fabulous app/website...many great ideas come from pinterest. Although there are some things I see on pinterest that make me cringe, and skincare treatments & products are one of them. Please people be careful what you do/put on your skin.Today I am going to bust some of these DIY pinterest skincare myths. 

Pictured above is a DIY microdermabrasion...microdermabrasion is mecahincal exfolation using a diamond wand tip or crystals. There is nothing you can do at home that will provide benefits of a microdermabrasion. I laugh so hard on the inside when my clients tell me they have had microdermabrasions but not done professionally. The biggest one I hear is Mary Kays microdermabrasion (not knocking Mary Kay I love some of their products) & I even sell an exfolationg scrub called Nitty Gritty that has the same crystals used in microdermabrasion. These products have NO comparison to a microdermabrasion treatment done by an esthetician. Read more about microdermabrasions in an older post microdermabrasion blog  




Here are some ingredients found in various DIY skincare treatments & scrubs that are harmful to the skin & here is why:

Baking Soda- Baking Soda has a pH of 9 which is way too alkaline for the skin. This causes moisture loss & strips the skin of its natural barrier. 

Lemon- Lemon is known all over pinterest for brightening the skin & clearing blemishes. However the pH of a lemon is only 2, throwing off the pH balance of the skin & is very irritating. 

Toothpaste- Toothpaste is known as a great DIY spot treatment for pimples...but it is actually harmful. This strips the lipid barrier of the skin. Applying toothpaste directly to your skin is very drying & irritating. This can also cause pigmentation & acne scars. Instead look for a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. My favorite is Skin Scripts blemish spot treatment.  

Vasoline- Vasoline is recommended for dryness but I recently saw a blackhead remover using vasoline. Vasoline is too occlusive for the skin and is very pore clogging. 

Sugar- Sugar is in a lot of DIY scrubs & exfoliants. However sugar is too rough & has uneven jagged edges that can actually tear up the skin. 

Coconut Oil- I am a big fan of coconut oil, although it should never be used by someone with oily acne prone skin. Oils are a big fad in skincare and yes oil does dissolve oil, but coconut oil is not good on acne prone skin unless you want a breakout. 

Rubbing Alcohol- Rubbing alcohol is too drying for the skin to be used daily. It will cause a buildup of dead skin cells.

Milk- Lactic Acid derives from milk but that doesn't mean you should apply milk directly to the skin. Milk can actually spoil on your skin & it is not strong enough to deliver any lactic acid. 

Egg whites- Egg whites sometimes contain salmonella, if you ingest any of this you can get sick. 

Another no no I have seen on pinterest is making your own products & sunscreens. Most of us are not chemist so please do not try making your own products. You most likely will do more harm then good to your skin. Leave it to the professionals people. 

Why you should toss your Cetaphil

Cetaphil is not the holy grail of cleansers it is made out to be. Actually you should throw away your Cetaphil cleanser. 

Cetaphil doesn't have a SINGLE anti-aging ingredient...or ANY beneficial ingrediets for that matter. This cleanser that is so well known has no benefits for your skin. This product claims to be "gentle & non-irritating" but lets review its ingredients. Oh wait there is only 8 ingredients.

1. Water

2. Cetyl Alcohol (fatty acids)

3. Propylene Glycol

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (surfactant, strips dry skin & irritating)

5. Stearyl Alcohol (fatty acids)

6.Methyl Paraben (preservative)

7.Propylparaben (preservative)

8.Butylparaben (preervative)

The three parabens listed are actually on the list of cosmetic ingredients to avoid.

So why are so many dermatologist recommending this cleanser? Politics of course....dermatologist have a great relationship with Galderma the company that makes Cetaphil & they send thousands of samles to dermatologist. Another reason this is recommended is it containts no artificial fragrances & dyes. Dermatologist do not have time to research over the counter products to recommend to their clients. Dermatologist also know more about skin care conditions then skin care products. 

This cleanser may not irritate your skin but it is most certaintly not helping your skin. Talk with your esthetician or dermatologist about cleansers that are actually beneficial for your skin. 

Ladies toss away the Cetaphil and start using cleansers with anti-aging ingredients that help your skin.

Happy Monday.