Are you a skin minimalist or do you love an extensive routine? Once upon a time, a skincare routine consisted of face wash and a moisturizer. In college (a long ago version of me), I was lucky if I remembered to wash my face at night. Now, the possibilities are endless, with morning and evening skincare routines consisting of a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, spot treatment, hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, sunscreen, essence, masks\u2026 and more. <\/p>\n
Over the past few years, I\u2019ve tried to maintain a minimal routine but from time to time, I can\u2019t help but add a glossy and cleverly marketed product. There are so many ingredients and treatments I want to experiment with and subsequently go on about to you all in the form of a personal essay. In reality, due to a combination of time and money, I find it difficult and confusing to maintain an extensive routine.<\/p>\n
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and every beauty company is trying to sell us something. Case in point, in 2020, the global anti-aging market alone was estimated to be worth about 58.5 billion US dollars<\/a>. We all want the holy grail product that will make us look younger, more beautiful, successful and in general solve all of our issues, but what does our skin really need? Are all the products in a fifteen step routine efficacious and\/or necessary? Are we causing more damage to our skin by using too many products?<\/p>\n To find out how much beauty is too much beauty, we asked the experts \u2013 two board-certified dermatologists and a celebrity aesthetician, to answer all our questions. From product combinations to avoid to what to do if you\u2019re experiencing a skin reaction, we break it all down below. <\/p>\n First things first, how do I know if I\u2019m using too many skincare products? <\/strong> What do I do if I experience a reaction from a product or combination of products?<\/strong> Is it important to have a skincare routine every day or is skipping days a necessary break?<\/strong>
\nYou never want to throw your skin off balance, says board-certified dermatologist and surgeon, Dr. Dennis Gross<\/a>. How do you know if your skin is off balance? \u201cSkin that is out of balance appears inflamed, red and can sometimes have a rash or breakouts.\u201d According to celebrity esthetician and founder of her eponymous skincare brand, Shani Darden<\/a>, if you\u2019re experiencing irritation or even breakouts, it could be from using too many products at once. It could also be from products that are not right for your skin and do not work synergistically, says Dr. Gross. <\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re noticing skin irritation, \u201creduce the frequency that you\u2019re using active treatments and focus on hydrating and soothing ingredients to help restore balance,\u201d says Darden. Using too many active products can also lead to a compromised skin barrier, meaning that \u201cthe skin might be red, irritated, or even painful,\u201d says Darden. \u201cIf products are stinging your face when you apply them, it may be that the barrier is compromised. Skin could feel tight or itchy as well.\u201d A common culprit? Overuse of exfoliants. If you notice a new product is causing redness and flaking or other unusual symptoms, stop using it and see your dermatologist if it doesn\u2019t resolve in a day or two, says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nBoth Darden and Dr. Gross agree that consistency is the key to results. \u201cConsistency is truly important,\u201d says Darden, \u201chowever, it is important to listen to your skin. If your skin is feeling a little dry or irritated, skip your retinol or exfoliating product that evening, instead opting for a hydrating serum and moisturizer only.\u201d Skincare should be customized and doesn\u2019t fit a one size fits all approach.<\/p>\n