Product FOMO!!
Always on the search…………..
Another day, yet another beauty launch….another wonder ingredient we are told will solve all our skin problems, & give glow. Enter “product FOMO” (fear of missing out)
We are always looking for the next best “thing”, searching for that “wow” that’s gifted the first time you try an acid or an overnight retinol. With the search comes serious product over load, and all with out knowing weather they are right for your skin, resulting in irritation, inflammation, dryness, and generally unhappy, dull skin. Each individual product you use may only have a small amount of active, but layered into a routine with many other actives, as a whole, can be too much for the skin to handle. Lockdown life of 2020 has delivered an abundance of damaged skin barriers, as a result of using ALL of the things ALL of the time. Skin loves balance & equilibrium and that twice a day acid exfoliator, under that super strength vit C serum and niacinamide lotion you saw on insta, is taking it an active too far.
Research, technology and product development has come on leaps and bounds since my beauty collage days of the early 90’s, however, even back then, with our scrunchies and cycling shorts (yes i did them 1st time round), we were told to treat one skin concern at a time, tackling the most prevalent first. I don’t think that lesson has really changed, and while formulas are much more sophisticated, containing cocktails of the “buzz” words, it really is best to go in with one or two serious players than a 9 step routine, regardless of what Sheila did on tick tock. Less is more, has never been so meaningful! A simple, solid, considered line up, used for at least 4-6 weeks to gage results is where we need to be, consistency is key. To scratch the FOMO itch of beautiful packaging, shiny new dropper bottle and spa like smells, opt for a new luxurious body product, lip gloss or fragrance, give your skin a rest, we ask far too much of it. It’s busy trying to fix one thing whilst we hit it with another job, all while getting bombarded with oxidants and UV rays.
Marketing companies are very savvy, on boarding your fave celeb and super cool influencer, to lure you into the mind set you “NEED” this product….this is the one, the one we’ve been searching for!! Every skin is completely different, like a finger print. We have different lifestyles, diets, hormonal levels, hair follicles, genetics, previous exposure to the sun, oil production….etc etc which all comes into play when piecing together your unique skin puzzle. What works for that celeb, may be totally wrong for you and vice versa. Taking time to learn what your skin needs, seeking advice from skin experts and derms, not magazine ad’s and filtered social media selfies! Once you crack the code of what works for you, your search will truly be over….
