7 Skincare Products That May Be Harming Your Skin

Ancient Egyptians used a paste made of oxidized copper for eye makeup. This dangerous ingredient would eventually lead to irritation and insomnia, but they were ready to suffer in the name of beauty. And although the cosmetics industry has changed massively over the years, some of the products in your makeup bag may still be sabotaging your efforts to get healthy and flawless skin.

We at Bright Side decided to find out which popular skincare products may do more harm than good.

1. Facial scrubs with rough particles

Regular exfoliation (daily or weekly) may damage your skin. Abrasive scrubs remove the outer layer of the skin and harm the barrier that protects it from the environment. After exfoliation your skin may temporarily feel oil-free, but later it will produce even more oil to compensate for dryness.

2. Some acne treatments

Topical acne treatments may leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. Although these symptoms are often temporary, your skin still may be itchy, and even peel or burn. Some oral acne medications can have more serious side effects. Antibiotics, for example, can give you an upset stomach or make you dizzy.

3. Gua sha stones

Massaging your skin with gua sha stones has many benefits, like improving blood circulation and reducing neck pain. But because it involves rubbing your skin with a massage tool, it can cause the tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin to burst. This can result in bruising and minor bleeding.

4. Dry brush

Dry brushing is great for exfoliating the skin, but it may not be for everyone. It can irritate sensitive skin or leave it feeling overly dry. People with inflamed skin, including people with eczema and psoriasis, should avoid dry brushing as it could lead to infection.

5. Alcohol wipes

Wiping your face with alcohol pads may feel like cleansing because it leaves the skin feeling matte. But in reality, it strips away your skin’s much-needed oils, triggering sebum production, and actually making your acne worse.

6. Chemical exfoliants

If you’re using a chemical exfoliator more than once a week, you may be damaging the protective film of natural oils that covers your skin. Using products with harmful ingredients can result in inflammation and breakouts. Harsh ingredients in chemical exfoliants may remove too many layers of the skin, leaving you with red and irritated skin.

7. Pore strips

Nose strips can remove more than just blackheads, clearing pores entirely of sebum and dead skin cells. These components inside the pores are meant to maintain a healthy oil balance in the skin, and when they get removed, your pores could become exposed to irritating dirt and oil.

Are you using any of these products? Have you noticed how they affect your skin?