{"id":1642,"date":"2025-07-17T10:00:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/?p=1642"},"modified":"2025-07-17T14:58:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:58:06","slug":"sorry-to-break-it-to-you-but-these-10-skincare-products-are-a-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/17\/sorry-to-break-it-to-you-but-these-10-skincare-products-are-a-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Sorry To Break It To You, But These 10 Skincare Products Are A Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The beauty industry has a knack for convincing us to buy things <\/a>we don\u2019t necessarily need. Influencer reviews, cleverly positioned before-and-after pictures, and even beauty expert backings are all very persuasive. Before you know it, you have a bathroom cabinet brimming with products you might never use<\/a> or, worse still, products that don\u2019t really do anything<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For every skincare must-have, like cleanser<\/a> (important for removing makeup, oil and daily grime) and sunscreen<\/a> (for protecting skin against damaging UV rays<\/a>), there is a rather dubious product on the market. One of them is blue light skincare<\/a>, which professes to protect skin against the light emitted from laptop and phone screens. Right now, there isn\u2019t much evidence to confirm that blue light<\/a> is actually a threat to skin, unlike UV<\/a>, which can cause cancer and accelerate the signs of aging. As a result, beauty lovers everywhere are questioning product claims. <\/p>\n

Blue light mists, creams and serums aren\u2019t the only products to be skeptical about. Ahead, some of London\u2019s most trustworthy skincare experts share their thoughts on the popular beauty buys that might not be worth your money after all.<\/p>\n

Can creams really get rid of stretch marks and cellulite?<\/h2>\n

It goes without saying that stretch marks <\/a>and cellulite are both entirely normal and very common, but that hasn\u2019t stopped the beauty industry from dreaming up various creams, body oils and washes which claim to minimize the appearance over time. Consultant dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto<\/a> says, \u201cThere is little to no data to suggest they work effectively. Even expensive, clinic-based interventional treatments (for example microneedling<\/a>, laser and radio-frequency) produce moderate results at best, depending on the extent and severity.\u201d Put simply, be wary of those before-and-after photos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Do collagen face creams improve skin elasticity?<\/h2>\n

Collagen is responsible for keeping skin plump and supple, but over tim,e our natural collagen levels decrease<\/a>. This can be exacerbated by spending too long in the sun<\/a> (thanks to damaging UV) and smoking, for example. In our bid for ever-youthful skin, topical collagen creams and serums are increasingly popular \u2014 but they might just be a fad.<\/p>\n

\u201cTopical collagen is contentious,\u201d explains Dr. Parisha Acharya<\/a>, cofounder and director of The Ardour<\/a> skin clinic. \u201cSkincare containing collagen may help hydrate and moisturize the surface, but will not impact depleting collagen levels deeper inside the skin.\u201d Dr. Mahto agrees and, like Dr. Acharya, explains that this is because collagen molecules are much too large to enter the skin. Dr. Acharya adds, \u201cWe all know that collagen plays an important role. It is a scaffolding protein that helps support our skin alongside elastin and other key components such as hyaluronic acid<\/a>. Skincare ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol<\/a> can have much more of a beneficial effect for our skin as they act to stimulate collagen production in the powerhouse dermis (the inner layer) of the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Experts recommend using a vitamin C serum in the morning (R29 recommends The Ordinary\u2019s Ascorbyl Glucoside 12%, $14.80<\/a>, and a retinol serum in the evening, like Paula\u2019s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, $65<\/a>. If using retinol, it\u2019s important to use SPF<\/a> in the daytime to protect your skin.<\/p>\n

Can skincare products actually protect against blue light?<\/h2>\n

\u201cThere is no evidence that supports the need for specific products to protect against blue light at all,\u201d says esthetician Alicia Lartey<\/a>. \u201cAs a professional, I want people to have fun with skincare, but I want the skincare to make sense.\u201d Blue light products don\u2019t, she says. \u201cIn a market that is oversaturated, I want to try products that, at the bare minimum, are not a gimmick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, experts recommend wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen<\/a> in the daytime to protect against light sources that are proven to damage skin, such as UV.<\/p>\n

Do facial cleansing devices give your skin a deeper clean?<\/h2>\n

\u201cCleansing devices that claim to deep clean can be avoided, especially if you are using good quality acids that will chemically exfoliate skin<\/a>,\u201d explains Dr. Acharya. \u201cHarsh brushes can be harmful to the skin, particularly if used overzealously, as they can damage surface layers, resulting in leaks and an impaired barrier function<\/a>.\u201d The latter may culminate in dry, sore, sensitive skin. Lartey seconds ditching cleansing devices: \u201cMost experts agree that using your hands is more than enough and [devices] are a waste of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Parisha\u2019s personal preference is to use exfoliating acids, such as Biologique Recherche P50, $95<\/a>, (an exfoliating leave-on toner), in your routine instead. \u201cYou will achieve a glowing complexion without creating micro-tears in the skin,\u201d she says. Strong skincare acids can cause irritation. If you\u2019d rather start slowly \u2014 and spend less \u2014 try using a gentle exfoliating serum like The Ordinary\u2019s Lactic Acid 5% + HA, $8.10<\/a>, in the evening, followed by moisturizer. Acids make skin sensitive to sunlight, so applying sunscreen<\/a> in the morning if you\u2019re headed outside is a good idea.<\/p>\n

Are peel-off face masks good for your skin?<\/h2>\n

Nurse Lucy Phillips, skin specialist and founder of Kaizen Medical<\/a>, isn\u2019t a fan of peel-off face masks \u2014 especially if they contain charcoal. \u201cEven though peel-off charcoal masks may help remove dirt and buildup from your pores<\/a>, they also remove precious skin cells and even vellus hair [fine hair on your face], which can leave skin feeling raw and ripe for irritation.\u201d Lucy adds: \u201cCharcoal doesn\u2019t discriminate when it comes to \u2018detoxifying\u2019 skin.\u201d In other words, the substance removes both old and new skin cells, and can cause sensitivity if overused.<\/p>\n

If your skin is congested and dull, you might like to try something with gentle exfoliating acids, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. R29 recommends Paula\u2019s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel, $45<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Are biodegradable face masks actually\u00a0eco-friendly?<\/h2>\n

As we become more invested in the environment, beauty brands are phasing out unnecessary packaging and making smarter choices when it comes to sourcing natural ingredients. Plenty of companies are ditching single-use sheet masks containing plastic for cotton alternatives, which are said to be biodegradable. But this might not always be better. Jen Novakovich, environmentalist, cosmetic chemist and director of The Eco Well<\/a>, previously told R29<\/a>: \u201cWhen waste ends up in landfill, it doesn\u2019t matter whether it is biodegradable or not.\u201d This is because the right process is needed to break down a material, and research claims<\/a> that landfills might not always provide the correct conditions. That means the \u201ceco-friendly\u201d face mask you threw away could be sitting there for a long time. A tub or tube of product (which you\u2019ll get several uses from) might be better for the environment, particularly if the packaging is recyclable or refillable<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Does eye cream really work for dark circles and under-eye wrinkles?<\/h2>\n

Puffy under-eyes and dark circles<\/a> are common skin complaints, but the expensive eye cream you picked up in a bid to minimize the appearance might not be worth it. \u201cMost eye creams do very little other than moisturize the skin\u2019s surface and therefore temporarily plump up fine lines and wrinkles due to their hydration effects,\u201d Dr. Mahto previously told R29<\/a>. She added: \u201cAs we age, the skin around the eyes becomes thinner, [increasing] in laxity (i.e. it becomes loose). The subcutaneous fat pad, which sits under the ski,n also starts to become thin and starts to descend, or \u2018go south\u2019. These factors can result in darkness and puffiness around the eye<\/a> as fluid accumulates.\u201d An eye cream won\u2019t be able to target this. Rather, Dr. Mahto suggests adjusting your lifestyle, for example, getting good sleep<\/a>, stopping smoking and reducing the amount of salt in your diet.<\/p>\n

Does stem cell skincare really work? <\/h2>\n

This one is surprising, considering many facialists extol the virtues of creams and serums containing plant-based stem cells for rejuvenating skin<\/a> and making it smooth and plump. Plenty of products containing stem cells come with very hefty price tags, with brands selling moisturizers for hundreds of pounds. But Dr. Mahto reveals that for stem cells in skincare \u2014 particularly plant-derived ones \u2014 there isn\u2019t any \u201cgood or convincing data they work\u201d. She adds: \u201cStem cells need a controlled environment, which is hard to replicate and leave on a shelf in a skincare product. Even if the formula is stable, penetration into the skin is unlikely.\u201d Different types of stem cells are said to regenerate slack skin, including human versions, but Dr. Mahto says: \u201cPlant stem cells aren\u2019t the same as human ones so there are questionable results.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Do face wipes actually cleanse your skin?<\/h2>\n

Face wipes are convenient (especially after a long day), but they\u2019re essentially useless at cleansing the skin<\/a>, says Dr. Acharya. \u201cThese are functionless in reality, as all they do is move dirt and debris around your skin rather than actually lifting it off physically.\u201d She suggests tweaking your PM cleansing routine, using a micellar water<\/a> (try Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, $19.99<\/a>) followed by a water-based cleanser. \u201cThis will work more effectively without disrupting the skin\u2019s natural balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on a budget, try Garnier Skinactive Micellar Water, $11.99<\/a>, or CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water, $14.99<\/a>, followed by a gel-based cleanser such as The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser, $14<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Can SPF serums replace sunscreen?<\/h2>\n

\u201cProducts which contain sunscreen but are serums (and are advised to be used as such) do not make any sense,\u201d explains Lartey. \u201cSunscreen needs to be the last step of your routine to form a film,\u201d protecting your skin against UV and the environment. The problem with sunscreen in serum form is that the product is meant to be applied before your moisturizer \u2014 and Lartey argues that might not provide the best protection, compared to a dedicated sunscreen<\/a> that goes on last.<\/p>\n

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The beauty industry has a knack for convincing us to buy things we don\u2019t necessarily need. Influencer reviews, cleverly positioned before-and-after pictures, and even beauty expert backings are all very persuasive. Before you know it, you have a bathroom cabinet brimming with products you might never use or, worse still, products that don\u2019t really do…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1642"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1642"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1645,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1642\/revisions\/1645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}