WORST PRODUCTS I’VE EVER USED (Esthetician Reveals)
Probably like you, I have had a “produce graveyard” that sits in my bathroom (or treatment room) of items that I’ve used, had high hopes for and now sit gathering dust.
Or, hit the waste basket and I never looked back.
It’s a rare find when I do order, re-order, and continue to use certain items month after month and year after year. These are RARE!
In this post, I’m going to reveal the products I’ve used that have let me down the most.
It’s going to be simple and to the point - what they were and why they disappointed (and what I have replaced them with that does work!)
Here they are:
WORST PRODUCTS I’VE USED - 6 TO AVOID
This post contains links to products I recommend and any purchase from these links may result in a payment to me - thank you!
#1 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: DRUGSTORE RETINOL
All the “bottom of the jar” guarantees and claims never lived up to the promises on these. I’ve used many over the years (starting with all the BIG brands you see advertised on TV and in magazines) and then branching out to some of the other lines drugstores have brought in over the years.
Nothing was a winner. Nothing.
Now I do say this as a person who has always taken care of her skin and used good products.
If you have not done much and never used anything really “active” on your skin, the I would imagine using these on a regular consistent basis would yield some results.
However, some results isn’t what I’m after. I’m after REAL VISIBLE RESULTS. ALWAYS.
So my biggest disappointment is any brand that is a retinol brand that is sold in big box stores has let me down.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you want good retinol/retinoid, either see a professional and get a prescription and/or use a good quality product available through skincare pros only. These are going to be higher percentages (more expensive, yes) and going to get you actual results vs. drugstore brands that are really, really mild (lots of filler product) and won’t do as much.
Just my sincere opinion, of course, but after decades, this is where I’m at!
I use these - I alternate them. When I run out of one I use another and cycle them:
ALCHIMIE RETINOL - serious retinol, serious results, good price, very gentle with natural-based ingredients
Skinmedica TNS Retinol Complex - this is a good retinol - a little more intense than Alchimie (can cause more irritation), but one I really like
Gentle RETINOL ALTERNATIVE I LOVE - QUL Skin Repair Complex - super hydrating and gentle retinol alternative. Natural based ingredients. I use this now about twice weekly.
>> IMPORATANT RETINOL TIP: Real retinols have a yellow tinge to them. If you are using a cream that says it’s retinol and there is no yellow tinge, it is likely very low in the ingredient list. It needs to be a little bit yellow to be active!
#2 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: DRUGSTORE VITAMIN C
See most of what I’ve written above and you’ll understand why I don’t like a cheap version of Vitamin C. It does not do anything (much).
Again, if you are young and just starting to add a Vitamin C or have never done much of anything to your skin and now add it, it will give you some results.
I need something more potent.
If you use a Vitamin C daily (I do), you understand the brightening it can provide. It really gives your skin and overall even tone and brighteness.
If you need more intense pigment reduction, you can use a lightening/whitening serum or more intense brightening treatment.
For me, these are my personal choices:
Vitamin C - I add a few drops of this Vitamin C every other day to my A.M. serum (currently I use either the SupremeFirm or the QUL AM Moisturizer - love this cream!)
VITA C - a super hydrating serum I add to my serum every other day (or use alone)
>> IMPORTANT VITAMIN C TIP: When choosing a Vitamin C product, be sure to get quality! It should be pure without a lot of additives and it should housed in a dark glass bottle. Do not buy products in clear or plastic - real Vitamin C needs to be protected from light and in a darker bottle.
?
What’s better in Vitamin C form - Cream or serum? For me, a serum is much better. I find the concentration higher and I can easily mix a few drops of it in with another daily A.M. cream. I think I get better results with a serum. However, you use it, be sure to use Vitamin C in the A.M. under your sunscreen (best use).
INSTANT SMOOTHING - EYE AREA
See my video on this tool and how fast it works
#3 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: USELESS EYE CREAM
This one you can find even at high-end/luxe skincare facilities. Useless eye cream if one without actives or a purpose.
When I say “purpose” I mean does it:
-Lighten/brighten eye area
-Provide volume to the skin around the eye
-Reduce serious discoloration
-Smooth and tone the eye area skin
If it pretty much just adds hydration, then fine, but it’s not on my list to use.
I want action in my skincare!
I only want to use products that do something that I can actually see - VISIBLE RESULTS.
YOUNGER = MOISTURE ONLY | ACTIVES = MORE “FIX”
Young people can use “moisturizing” eye cream and be fine.
Over 40 and when you need a little more to happen, then choose an eye cream that gives results and results only come from ACTIVES.
FIX THE PROBLEM:
Be sure to use products that will address your concerns: Darkness, discoloration, skintone/skin repair, volume/hollows in eye area.
My personal choices for my eye skin area needs: Loss of volume, darkness/discoloration and minor lines
-HOP+ Volumizing Eye Cream - I need to reduce hollows and add volume and I find this one works quite well
-Expurtise Eye Serum - I like the eye brighteners in this cream and it’s great to use in the A.M. and under makeup
-C-TOX - I like the line smoothing properties of this cream. I don’t have a lot of lines, but I do love to use this around eyes, mouth and on my forehead lines!
-Galvania tool + Gold Eye Cream - this is my GO TO device when I really need some smoothing/brightening and instant results around my eyes. Love this item and I’ve used it for years. I only use it a few times a month, but when I need it, it really performs!
Several years ago I used a Strivection eye cream that had Vitamin K in it when I had some dark circles under my eyes - it worked great, but I have not been able to find the same eye cream now.
>> WRINKLE REPAIR FOR EYE AREA: If you need serious line reduction and regeneration of the eye area skin, my customers LOVE LOVE the Neogenesis Eye Serum. It’s probably the most highly re-ordered (next to the HOP+ Volumizing Eye Cream) and it is the gold standard if you need real wrinkle repair!
#4 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: LIP PLUMPERS
I have never had much luck with “lip plumpers” or anything like it that supposedly makes lips plumper.
They work for a little bit and then nothing.
I find it’s better to use a device/protocol that actually yields some results for plumper lips that last a little longer.
I use the TMP (Time Master Pro) over my lips when I do a treatment and this works great but only lasts a day or two.
I also like to use (nightly) my Mesolyft microneedle pen for Lips. This has really given me visible results. Not so much really “volume” but a better defined lip line and it keeps my lips hydrated and does help add a little plumpness. I notice that they look much better when I use it consistently.
I also have started using the Dr. Pen microneedle pen with the nano tip and some pure hyaluronic acid over the lip line and around mouth. So good! It really helps plump up that area.
None of this lasts as long as filler, but it doesn’t look a unnatural as filler can sometimes look. I do think if done well (and kept to a minimum), filler can be a nice help to plump up lips, but I always think natural options are a great solution and look more, well, natural!
>>MICRONEEDLE PEN TIP: If using a microneedle pen, use a 36 needle tip and/or nano tip for weekly use with product penetration. This is the pen I use and really recommend! This is the microneedle pen I use (and recommend).
#5 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: LOW PEPTIDE CREAMS
I love peptides! I think they do wonders and they are generally gentle and effective for almost everyone to use. They provide great firming to the skin.
However, I have purchased peptide creams, that upon closer inspection, really don’t have much in the way of active peptides.
There may be one or two or even three, but try to choose one that has as many as possible.
If you are going to use a peptide, get one that has lots of peptides!
Tetrapeptides, copper peptides, hexapeptides…there are many and your cream should include most of them!
I like the CICA-PEPTA - it has 8 different peptides and very nice base with lots of good-for-the skin ingredients. And it’s affordable!
I mix this with a few drops of Vita-C and it’s a beautiful treatment you can use A.M. and P.M.
>>IMPORTANT SKINCARE TIP: Don’t mix or layer your retinols with Vitamin C, any acids or peptides and other actives. Retinols should be used alone, right on top of clean skin. You can layer a non-active light moisturizer on top for more hydration.
VOLUME LOSS IN SKIN = AGED SKIN
#6 PRODUCT DISAPPOINTMENT: VOLUMIZING SERUMS
Years ago, I was noticing that my skin was losing volume.
I saw a VERY EXPENSIVE product that claimed it would help replace volume in the skin.
I couldn’t buy it fast enough!
I used nightly for about a month and noticed…
Not much.
I was disappointed.
It was then I started using some fillers, etc. to help replace volume. I was fairly young (in my late 30s) and really didn’t need a lot of replaced volume overall.
Now I do.
Just a few years ago I noticed my skin was getting very thin. It was looking…old.
That’s when I started using the HOP+ (formerly Sculplla) products.
I seriously saw results.
I still use them weekly these years later.
They work. Period.
I have really replaced the “cushion” in my skin.
I still have some lines here and there and I still have sag I address with my TMP, microcurrent, RF and LED face treatment — these have helped immensely!
But for overall skin density (a TRUE measure of aging skin), the Caviplla + H2 mist are a lifesaver - in my opinion.
I would only use and recommend these if I truly believed in them.
They work.
The HOP+ line has several items (they keep adding more wonderful options), but these are the two main-stays and I honestly cannot see myself not using them…not until something better comes along.
Easiest full face treatment is with a LED mask
Adding volume to the skin is a key component of looking more youthful!
MY TOP THREE:
LED - Red light therapy used 2-3x weekly is excellent for boosting collagen
Microneedling every 30 days using a good, microneedle pen
Using volume-boosting/collagen-building skincare like HOP+ really helps (visibly)
>>NOTE: They can help replace volume lost, but will not replace in the same way filler does. They will help plump up lines and minimal volume loss, but for serious volume replacement, only filler or Sculptra will work.
Using this line with good LED and doing my other device treatments has really kept my face-in-place, so to speak!
To date, those are my biggest disappointments. I’m sure more will follow. But these are my tried-and-true options for you if you are experiencing overwhelm and disappointment with finding good skincare for your needs.
