If your skin care shelves have been looking a little full of late, let Caroline Hirons come to the clean-out rescue.
The British blogger and skin care expert has never been shy when it comes to speaking the truth about formulas and has even revealed the products she believes have zero business being on our shelves.
In her debut book ‘Skincare’, the 50-year-old wrote: “There are so, SO many products that I would love to throw in the sea (metaphorical sea – remember the environment, people), and brands making them that I would give a good talking to.”
Citing unproven claims, buzzwords and scaremongers as some of her pet peeves, Caroline names no brand in particular but says these are the products she’d kick to the curb…
#1 Wipes
No real surprise from the glow guru here, who says that wipes should be reserved for emergencies only. “Remember: wipes are for fannies, flights and festivals only,” she wrote. “And never flush.”
#2 Foaming face washes that contain SLS/SLES
(sodium lauryl sulphate/sodium laureth sulfate)
While some of us may love it when our skin feels ‘squeaky clean’, Caroline says, “no part of your body should squeak.” And that most definitely includes our faces. “These products are too drying. Full stop.” Case closed.
#3 Silly claims and extortionate pricing
Ok our wallets are really liking the look of this one.
“Products that cost silly money for a 30ml of something with a huge claim attached to it, but no clinical trials to back them up,” are not worth it, according to Caroline.
“If you can afford it and enjoy it, great. But if you can’t, you’re not missing out on anything that you can’t get somewhere else for a fraction of the price.”
Honestly, some supermarket skin care buys are just as good.
#4 Mattifying products
Skin is supposed to glow, so why would you hide it? “Unless you are a teenager and/or have oily skin, you do not need mattifying products,” says Caroline. Capeesh?
Do you agree with Caroline? Do you use any of the products she mentions?
Totally agree. Exfoliators with nuts is another one! I much prefer chemical exfoliators so there aren’t any micro tears
Completely agree. Wipes are handy sometimes when travelling (or just out and about with kids), but I don’t think they’re an everyday product.
i agree!
I love Caroline, and as usual, she’s spot on with these.
No wipes here.
Agree with all of what Hirons advises in this article.
Wipes are terrible.
Agree that wipes should only be used on flights.