She is tired of the pores’ behavior.
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist based in Southern California, shares three skin care sins she sees often: using too many products, skipping sun protection, and copying a friend’s routine even if it’s not the best for you.
“I see patients making these mistakes all the time,” Shirazi lamented in a TikTok on Monday.
Using too many products
New York-based cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson compares the skin barrier to “armor, in the sense that it breaks down aggressors” like pollutants, allergens and irritants “so they are rendered harmless.”
Every ingredient you put on your skin threatens the barrier, Robinson told the New York Times last year. Stressing the skin — the body’s largest organ — can lead to redness, dryness, breakouts and other problems.
Shirazi says you only need three products: cleanser, moisturizer and an SPF to protect against harmful rays.
“If you have acne or want to do something anti-aging, add a treatment step between your cleanser and moisturizer,” she advised.
Skipping sun protection
Skin care experts urge the use of sunscreen, while Shirazi stresses the importance of focusing on delicate skin that is prone to sun damage.
“I remove a lot of skin cancers from these areas: the eyelids, lips, ears, neck and chest, as well as the back of the hands,” she shared.
An estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It is the most common cancer in the United States.
Copy a friend’s skincare routine
The global skincare market was valued at $146.7 billion in 2021, and one research firm projects it will reach $273.3 billion by 2031. There are plenty of product options for every skin type.
Shirazi recommends developing a regimen that is best for you.
“Make sure you use specific products that are good for your skin type and concern, because everyone’s skin is different,” Shirazi said.
“You see all these people, all these online influencers who are promoting this product and that product, and people get distracted,” she continued. “Their friend is using this miracle gel and so they started, but it’s not the right treatment for them.”
