1. 1. Paw paw ointment
You may think this stuff is great for your lips however everyone that tells me they use it, also report they have constantly dry lips. The enzyme in paw paw is very good at removing dry skin however it does not nourish or hydrate the skin. Continued use will dry lips out even more. For a really good lip scrub try a small amount of olive oil with brown sugar. Then maintain your lips with a straight bees wax based balm.
2. 2. Tea tree on pimples
That’s a big no, from me. Tea tree is simply too aggressive and drying to use straight on pimples. It increases inflammation and actually makes healing time longer. The same goes for skincare with tea tree in high concentration or with cheap extraction methods. We have much better formulations for spot treatment that actually work without damaging the skin. Just ask your aesthetician.
3. 3. Apricot scrub
Each time you use this, it creates a miniature gravel rash. Tearing at your skin regularly can cause scarring and increase the appearance of pores. A manual exfoliant should have a very fine, spherical grain. It should gently buff and polish the skin. Avoid high percentage chemical exfoliants too unless you have a thickened, oily skin.
4. 4. Dermaplaning
Yes, I Know this technically isn’t a skincare product. It is a really popular fad though. I treat skins that have been regularly dermaplaned both at home and at salons. They are always very reactive and have an impaired barrier. What does this mean? It means the skin can not perform its primary function of protecting the body. It becomes sensitive and dry. Creating conditions like rosacea and dermatitis and risking exposure to infection. If you want to remove any facial hair try threading or sugaring. Much less damaging to the skin.
5. 5. L-ascorbic vitamin C in cheap formulations
Yes Vitamin C can be good at brightening and strengthening capillaries. There are however 4 main types of vitamin C that are used in skincare. L-ascorbic can be tolerated by some skins but for the majority it causes irritation. Skincare has come a long way since the outdated clinical trial results and animal testing that the big brands still base their products on. A sophisticated serum will have more than one active ingredient and all the ingredients will work in synergy together. Guess what? These serums don’t have to cost the earth. $60-$70 will get you a great product that will last 2-3 months.