It seems like everyone has a skincare tip, routine, or hack nowadays. 

However, many of these trendy skincare tips or products are nothing more than cash grabs. Either that or they are just not supported by any science whatsoever!

Keep reading to find out facts from fiction with science-based evidence today!

Skincare Trends that are Misleading or Ineffective

Here are 4 top skincare trends and products that just don’t do what they promise.

Blue Light Protector

Marketers and influencers have tried to convince us the blue light emitted from our phones is just as bad as that from the sun, causing premature aging and damage.

Just buy these products with antioxidants and be safe right?

Nope.

Visible light itself is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The damaging rays, UVA/UVB, actually fall outside of the visible portion.

UVA and UVB actually damage DNA in the skin.

Blue light studies have either been inconclusive or found a result in extreme conditions, e.g. 24+ hours of exposure to white screens at full brightness.

What have we found?

Blue light affects our circadian clock, the internal system by which we regulate biological processes like sleep, which is light-dependent.

Light, particularly blue light, can disrupt melatonin, the chemical in our body that regulates sleep.

Circadian clock regulation is in fact one of the most important aspects in relation to aging and disease prevention, so check out how to hack your biology here.

Toners

I will say, I love toners, I love serums, I love essence.

However.

The premise of toners is entirely different than what it was and it is no longer an essential step in a skincare routine.

Toners used to be used to rebalance the skin pH. This was needed because years ago, many of the cleansers formulated for the skin were overly stripping and damaging.

This would cause an imbalance of pH that would then be rectified by a toner. 

Today?

Cleansers are much more gentle and do not disrupt the pH of the skin heavily. Even if you use an AHA/BHA cleanser, the skin can return to normal within minutes.

Toners can instead be used as a treatment. If you have dry skin, be sure to choose a toner with deeply hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. If you have acne-prone skin, a toner with AHA/BHA may treat the skin in a gently exfoliating manner.

Essences, much like toners, are used to target particular skin concerns, not so much to balance skin pH.

Moisturizers and serums are pH balanced as well. This means that the purpose of toners is unnecessary if used to rebalance the skin.

Not going to lie, I’ll still use them though. A hydrating toner, while not used for balance, can really help hydrate and prep my skin for serums and moisturizers.

Eye Creams

Eye creams are just moisturizers placed in a smaller package and more expensive.

Change my mind.

Eye creams propose that they are needed for the sensitive skin of the eye.

However, the skin under your eye is almost identical to the skin on the rest of your face. If anything, it may be a bit thinner, allowing your normal moisturizer to absorb even better. Or if your normal moisturizer feels heavy, get something thinner, a gel moisturizer, one with antioxidants, etc.

I dilute my regular moisturizer with a bit of water to help it absorb into the eye area gently and smoothly. Easy enough.

Eye cream and regular facial moisturizers usually have nearly identical ingredients.

Fun fact, many eye creams use mica and other tints to “brighten” your eyes, which is essentially makeup.

Face Yoga

Facial yoga is a way to move the muscles of your skin to tighten muscles and tone.

Sounds great right? The problem?

There haven’t been any studies that prove the effectiveness of this treatment in facial rejuvenation, muscle development, or wrinkle reduction.

I would even venture to say facial yoga may cause more wrinkles on the face. 

Imagine folding a piece of paper over and over and over again.

The skin has two main layers, the epidermis, the upper layer, and the dermis, the deeper layer where collagen is made. Underneath are some normal protective fat tissue and way below is the muscle.

Facial yoga may be able to strengthen muscles, yes, but the constant flexing of the surface layer may lead to more pronounced lines and deeper signs of aging.

Some facial massages, however, may be beneficial to moving lymph fluid in the face.

The Takeaway

Some skincare is overhyped.

Skincare can be a wonderful tool in supporting the essential roles of the skin to protect our bodies.

However, where there is a need there’s a scam. Some skincare products are cash grabs, unnecessary and unproven by science.

In any case, with information, you can still choose which you want to try out anyways!

Hey, maybe that eye cream is just the best thing since sliced bread. I know I’m not giving up the privilege of my hydrating toner.

Have fun on your skincare journey and remember, it’s all about the steps you take to wellbeing, no need for perfection!