Derms Say These 19 Beauty Products Are a Waste of Money
Dermatologists in the United States have identified 19 beauty products they consider overrated, from toners to gel manicures. The list, compiled by a veteran beauty editor, aims to help consumers avoid unnecessary spending in a booming global skincare market.
The global skincare market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by innovation and rising consumer demand. However, experts argue that many popular products offer little tangible benefit beyond marketing hype.
What products do dermatologists consider unnecessary?
According to Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, and Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist, several categories of products fail to deliver on their promises. These include toners, essences, neck creams, eye creams, and cellulite creams.
Gohara compares toners to flip phones: nostalgic but not necessary. She notes that modern cleansers already leave skin clean. Similarly, Mariwalla describes essences as foam on a cappuccino: pretty but functionally useless.
Why are eye creams and neck creams overrated?
Both dermatologists argue that specialized creams for the eye and neck areas are redundant. Gohara states that a standard face cream works just as well below the chin, making separate neck creams an unnecessary expense. Eye creams, she adds, are often just face moisturizer in smaller, more expensive packaging.
This perspective aligns with a broader trend toward simplification in skincare routines, where multi-purpose products are favored over niche formulations.
Are expensive face creams worth the investment?
Gohara recommends saving splurges for prescription treatments like Tretinoin or well-formulated peptide creams. She advises against spending heavily on basic cleansers, moisturizers, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C serums, which can be effective at lower price points.
The dermatologists also caution against products with unproven claims, such as detoxifying face masks and oxygen-infused night creams. Gohara notes that the body's liver and kidneys already handle detoxification, rendering such masks purely cosmetic.
What about natural and trendy products?
Gohara warns that natural ingredients are not inherently safe for skin, pointing out that poison ivy is natural. She also criticizes makeup wipes, comparing them to swirling day-old soup with a spoon and calling it clean.
Mariwalla advises against dry brushing, scalp scrubs, and gel manicures. She describes dry brushing as unnecessary for skin health, while scalp scrubs can disrupt the natural microbiome. Gel manicures, she says, lead to thinning nails and a vicious cycle of dependency.
Are red light masks worth the cost?
Mariwalla notes that red light masks can be effective, but only if they are high quality. Cheap versions may not deliver results and could even cause unintended side effects, such as facial hair growth.
Consumers should focus on evidence-based products and consult dermatologists for personalized advice, especially for persistent skin issues like dry lips or stretch marks.
How can consumers make smarter skincare choices?
The dermatologists recommend prioritizing products with proven efficacy and avoiding unnecessary duplication. A simple routine with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is often sufficient for most skin types.
For those with specific concerns, prescription treatments and professional procedures offer more reliable results than over-the-counter alternatives.
“Your skin is not a dirty rug. If you moisturize well, it will do the rest,” Mariwalla says.
Ultimately, the goal is to help consumers save money while maintaining healthy skin, a message that resonates in markets like Southeast Asia where skincare spending is on the rise.