Are we all ruining our skin with our so called skin care ?

[Elasticatedwaist]

I’ve had time on my hands today and ended up idly reading up on skincare ingredients. I always use a cleanser , moisturiser sometimes a serum but without really knowing what’s in them . So I looked into the ingredients ( I know I’m late to the party !)
At first I read about how vitamin c , hyaluronic acid , vitamin A etc etc are good for your skin. Then I got a bit bored and googled ‘ is vitamin c actually bad for your skin ?’ And did it For all the things that were supposedly good . By the end of it I didn’t want to put much of it on my face and it got me thinking that we might all be doing more harm than good with all these products .
I know uv protection is important but still , I mean , I’ve seen many men ( and some women ) who wash and go with fine looking skin .
What do you think ?

@Ouchaheadinmybehind similar to what a PP said about Emma Watson, using olive oil for everything. It is the main ingredient with a little bit of castor oil and any other oil you feel will benefit your skin. Google oil cleansing method. It's amazing. Try it even if you have oily skin, especially if you have oily skin.

After cleansing with oils you don't need much moisturiser but it you want to you can use olive oil again but I prefer camellia seed oil or grape seed oil or a mix. I love looking into all the different oils.

Don't use baby oil though!

@AutumnRose1 I use spf50 daily, but I live in Arizona and am outside a lot, I do wear it every single day regardless, as per the advice from multiple dermatologists.

My granny and my mum, used ponds cold cream all their lives, amazing skin and young looking. They also wore sun hats in the summer So genetics?

I wear a lot of make up so use goats milk soap and a flannel with a simple eye make up remover for any mascara stains. I also wear sun hats in the summer.

Emma Watson has a skincare routine which mine look as minimal as a nun's, and all the times I've read that she's talked about her skincare olive oil has never been mentioned

intothegloss.com/2017/03/emma-watson-beauty-routine/

^ Emma Watson's routine, in her own words.

Thanks EatenByDinosaurs. Interesting.

My mum and granny also swore by filling a bowl with boiling water and leaning over it using a towel as a tent to open the pores, like a mini sauna. I had forgotten that.

PP said Emma Stone not Emma Watson sorry I muddled my Emmas

Thanks @MoonGeek

You're welcome minipie

Ah sorry MoonGeek too many Emma's

Does anyone exfoliate? I have a battery powered brush which I use when I remember. Do it in the shower feels nice afterwards.

For yearsI have been washing in aqueous cream and I only use my hands.It works for me. Never use soap.

I think so, I don't believe there is any difference products can really make beyond moisturising and maybe skin lightening (eg age spots) - I use blue cheap thick Nivea to take make up off, toner to clear that and then a thin layer again to moisturise at night. My skin is really good

I think make-up is more of a problem than moisturisers etc. All the older women I know with good skin, have never worn full face make-up regularly and all the women I know with bad skin did and/or sunbathed.

All the posts above about just using soap and water etc, I bet these women didn’t wear full face make-up everyday, which is why they didn’t need multiple products to negate the damage that causes.

Full make up every day for 45 years, use soap and water, great skin. I really think it the roll of the dice genetically and keeping your face out of the sun that makes the difference.

Makeup doesn't cause bad skin though. Unless you're applying it with filthy brushes and not removing it. Foundation technically is protecting especially if there's an SPF in it, you've got a layer against the elements
I think a lot is genetics, the rest is avoiding sun, using SPF/retinol and not smoking but that's more anti ageing than bad skin acne type
I have fairly good skin now with my routine but I still get breakouts - hormonal and also when I'm an idiot and eat/drink something with B vitamins. B12 is fine, B6 gives me cystic acne

I wonder about how much all this stuff is tested and to what extent it passes consumer protection laws. There are so many brands these days. Who knows what the fuck is in most of them. That’s why I stick to major brand names and limit my use of cosmetics as much as possible.

My mum has never had a skincare regime, never really wore a huge amount of makeup and her skin is shit and always has been.

My skin was shit until I actually started a skincare regime. There is no shame in admitting you have good genes that mean some water and a bit of Nivea is all you need. Much in the same way that my lifelong battle with acne and its associated scarring is only kept at bay with a skincare regime.

Somebody got very cross with me on here before for saying I didn't think putting so many products on your skin might not be a good idea!

That didn't shouldn't be there.

Never used any skincare products beyond the occasional suntan lotion in summer.
Don't wear skin make up except for special occasions (just do eyes and lips).
My mum was the same and it seems to have worked for her so I'm hoping I've inherited the good genes.
So much time and money saved.

I personally think that being gentle to your skin is more beneficial than doing nothing. Touch, massage, manipulation does more than a lot of topical products. Introduce products gradually until you find what suits and don’t fall for all the marketing hype. Know your skin so you can notice changes. Being consistent and disciplined with a specific routine does help.
My bug bear are ready made face masks - most of them are way too harsh.
I buy and use serums and creams but make my own face, body and hair masks. Also, I think people tend to use too much product with each application is probably not beneficial.
I’m convinced SPF products will be blamed for all sorts within 30-50 years but for now that is our best bet.

In winter in Yorkshire I drive to and from work in the dark, and don't step outside in daylight hours. My office faces North. Do I really need SPF50 at that time of year?

I wash my face in my daily shower at the end of the day. That's it. My skin is just fine.