If you’re a skincare enthusiast like me, you’re probably aware of the many pitfalls peppering the beauty industry. Given the immense pressure to meet certain standards, it can be easy to find ourselves falling down a rabbit hole into unfamiliar and possibly dangerous territory.
The constant buzz surrounding new trends, new products, and new technologies makes it difficult to cut through the noise. How do we decide what’s best for us when there’s so much nonstop chatter?
Although it can be difficult, I’ve learned over the years to filter out much of the commotion. No matter what the beauty industry is pushing, it’s important to step back and remember that you’re not required to follow along.
Here’s the beauty propaganda I’m just not falling for:
The Morning Shed
As skincare trends go, nothing quite beats the dreaded “Morning Shed” for sheer absurdity. For the uninitiated, the Morning Shed is a viral TikTok trend where beauty enthusiasts apply numerous skincare products and self-care tools overnight, then “shed” or remove them in the morning to reveal glowing skin and perfectly styled hair.
The trend is based on the belief that the more high-maintenance your nighttime routine is, the more low-maintenance you can be during the day. Search anywhere on the Internet, and you can watch in baffled amazement as followers of the trend apply (and subsequently remove) multiple layers of serums, oils, moisturizers, masks, lip tints, mouth tape, heatless curlers, silk bonnets, anti-wrinkle patches, and chin straps.
Clearly, a comfortable night’s sleep is not on the agenda here.
Predictably, dermatologists have warned that the excessive layering of products in this trend can damage the skin barrier, cause irritation, and clog pores, especially for those with sensitive skin. What’s more, devices like mouth tape pose risks to breathing and oxygen flow, while chin straps can restrict circulation and lead to bruising. The trend also encourages overconsumption and reinforces the idea that constant improvement with expensive products is necessary for self-worth.
Natural Ingredients Are Safer
For my money, few things are dirtier and uglier than the clean beauty movement. To put it plainly, clean beauty is a scam.
To clarify, the term “clean” is highly suspect due to its lack of a legal definition. “Clean” is also not a regulated term, which means beauty brands get to make their own rules and claims, often leading to confusion and differing standards.
But the problems don’t end there. Clean beauty companies often use fear-based marketing, scaring consumers into thinking certain ingredients are harmful even when there’s little scientific proof. Many products now labeled as “free-from” certain ingredients (e.g., parabens, sulfates, silicones) have been safely used for decades. The focus on “natural” ingredients in clean beauty can lead to the demonization of scientifically proven components and the promotion of potentially harmful alternatives. In addition, clean beauty products tend to be more expensive, making the movement inaccessible to many and implying a moral high ground for those who can afford it.
Sunscreen Is Poison
Excuse me, Gisele Bundchen, but I heartily disagree. While some ingredients in chemical sunscreens have raised safety concerns, the consensus among scientists and dermatologists is that sunscreens — including chemical ones — are predominantly safe. Although certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens can be absorbed through the skin, current evidence suggests that they have no negative effects on overall health. Regarding cancer risk, there is no data indicating that chemical sunscreens increase the likelihood of any type of cancer.
Of course, the same cannot be said for unprotected sun exposure, which comes with significant health and safety risks. That being said, if you’re concerned about the possible effects of chemical sunscreen, using a mineral-based one is always an option.
At-Home Skincare Devices
I barely trust my ability to use a jade roller, so you certainly won’t find me using any high-tech beauty devices. The effectiveness of at-home skincare devices is limited at best, and the cost of these items is often exclusionary. Frankly, I’m not willing to spend $400 on an LED light mask that does a better job of scaring my cat than it does addressing my skin concerns.
I also have doubts about the safety of some of these devices. Red lights, blue lights, lasers, and electrical pulses that literally shock your facial muscles back into shape? I think I’ll pass.
To be fair, at-home skincare devices can be safe when used properly, but they still pose risks like skin damage, burns, or infection, especially if misused or if the devices are poor quality. Safety depends on factors such as proper sanitation, using the correct settings, following directions, and ensuring the device is suitable for your skin type and concerns.
Invasive Treatments
When it comes to skincare, I have a strict “no needles” policy. That includes Botox, fillers, and even microneedling. The same applies to scalpels and chemical treatments that require serious recovery periods. Although these methods can yield fantastic results, I’ve watched too many episodes of “Botched” to consider them a possibility.
And if you’re considering any of these treatments for yourself, I strongly recommend searching for “________ gone wrong” on Google before making any major decisions. There’s just too much that can happen with these procedures, and I’d rather live with a few fine lines and wrinkles than with a lifetime of regret.