Trend Alert: The Do’s and Dont’s Of Beauty Fads
Will putting toothpaste on your zits make them go away? Do washcloths beat hands? And what about gua sha – what’s that all about, and does it even work?
Beauty trends come and go. It may be hard to decipher which ones are worth keeping in your skincare routine (or adopting) and which ones to skip (or shun). That’s what we’re here for!
We’ve done some digging and ruled out which beauty fads remain fads and which ones are a long-term investment for your skin.
Yes to: Washing Your Legs in the Shower
Showering is essential for removing bacteria that lives on the body. While we tend to focus mostly on the smelly areas of our body when we shower, there can be benefits to washing those unscented limbs, too – like your legs.
“The bacterial population on the legs is different than the feet since feet are moist and sweaty,” says Dr. Estee Williams, a New York City dermatologist.
That doesn’t mean there’s more bacteria living on your legs than your feet, but it does mean that different populations live on different parts of the body.
According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, “Sweaty areas may promote high levels of certain bugs that will not grow as well in drier areas of the body. In some cases, if there is overgrowth of bacteria or fungus on the skin and the barrier is disrupted, it could lead to a skin infection, like impetigo or Athlete's Foot.”
In short, whether or not your legs get sweaty, experts say it’s a good idea to wash your legs – provided that you don’t over wash or scrub aggressively, that is.
For a gentle, invigorating cleanse, wash your legs in Truly’s Moon Jelly Adaptogenic Body Cleanser.
No to: Gua-Sha-ing Without Research
Gua sha is effective – if you know how to do it right. If you don’t, you could be in for some serious adverse effects.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine, gua sha involves scraping a tool made of jade over the skin to boost circulation and tighten the skin. If performed incorrectly, you could end up with bruising, swelling or pain. For that reason, it’s best to research how to do it properly so you can enjoy the benefits instead of negative side effects.
“You can do gua sha on the face, body and scalp, and it’s best to use water – I do it first thing, in the shower – or an oil, but never on bare skin,” says Katie Brindle, Chinese medicine and beauty pro. “Hold the tool flat to the skin, under the eyes or over any redness, to soothe and de-puff. Then use the curved side and work it over the skin, always taking short strokes in just one direction, not back and forth.”
And if you really want to be on the safe side, go for a gua sha in-office treatment instead.
Yes to: Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches
To zap a zit, you can’t get much better than hydrocolloid pimple patches. They work by sucking all the gunk out of your skin without drying it out. And they also have the added benefit of keeping you from picking – a major skincare sin!
“Hydrocolloid is a substance used in surgical dressings that’s proven to expedite zit healing a few different ways,” says Julie Schott, co-founder of Starface. “It not only protects pimples from outside bacteria, but absorbs fluid and reduces inflammation, which calms zits overnight.”
Stock up on hydrocolloid acne patches by ordering yourself Truly’s Super Acne Trio – acne stickers in three different shapes.
No to: Toothpaste on Pimples
We’ve all heard, and maybe even tried, the toothpaste remedy for pimples. Does it work? Dermatologists don’t recommend it.
“Toothpaste will irritate the skin, and the pimple will probably eventually disappear along with the irritation, but toothpaste is in no way a primary treatment for acne,” says dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt. “Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work great to clear acne — and help prevent it, as well.”
Instead of reaching for the toothpaste the next time a pimple pops up, reach for Truly’s Leaf Acne Kit. Complete with hemp patches, pore strips, and spot treatment, you’ll extract that zit in no time!
Yes to: Exfoliating Your Face with a Face Towel
According to board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, “Exfoliating the face and body is incredibly important, as it rids the skin of buildup and dead skin cells. Exfoliating leaves your skin looking brighter, smoother, and healthier.”
You don’t need any special products or tools to do it. Even a simple face cloth can be enough to slough away those dead cells for a brighter, dewier complexion.
As long as you choose a soft washcloth that isn’t going to irritate your skin, washing your face with a towel has a lot of plus points.
For a gentle face exfoliation, choose Truly’s Soft Cotton Face Towel.
No to: Excessive Use of Sugar Scrubs on Face
On the topic of exfoliation, we also want to address the facial sugar scrub beauty fad. Let us just make something clear: you should never overuse a sugar scrub on your face. Using one too frequently can irritate the skin and result in adverse effects. You may think that more is better, but it’s not.
For best results, exfoliate the skin no more than twice a week. This way, you’ll be able to keep your pores decongested without irritating the skin or causing redness and sensitivity.
To exfoliate your face without damaging it, opt for a gentle product with exfoliating ingredients, like Truly’s Cell-Shedding CBD Jelly Toning Solution. Use no more than 1-2 times per week for optimum results.
Hopefully, we’ve now cleared up most of the beauty fads you’ve ever wondered about. It turns out, some of them work really well, while others – not so much.
Over to you – what beauty fads do you believe in? We want to hear about them!
