By now, you may have made some new year’s resolutions, promising to commit to certain new habits that will help rather than hinder you in 2025. But have you considered which habits you might want to leave behind? When it comes to skincare, there is a whole lot of misinformation out there, and Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London, cautions against some of the trends that blew up in 2024. Here they are:
Medical grade skincare
“The term ‘medical grade’ has become a popular phrase in skincare marketing, and suggests that anything with this label is stronger and/or clinically proven. However it’s largely a marketing construct with no medical or regulatory significance,” she says. “They do often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, but this is simply a brand choice – not a guarantee of medical efficacy.”
That’s not to say brands that say they are medical grade are bad, but Dr Mahto recommends looking beyond the packaging to focus instead on ingredient quality and formulation. “Many over-the-counter products are just as effective – and sometimes better tolerated – than those labelled as medical grade. Skincare choices should be based on science, rather than buzzwords.”
“Botox in a bottle” formulas
With ingredients like argireline (a peptide which can help reduce fine lines) gaining prominence this year, Dr Mahto reminds us that sadly, you simply can’t expect Botox-like results from a skincare product. “Botox works by blocking the nerve signals to muscles, thereby reducing their ability to contract,” she explains. “This effect is not achievable through topical skincare alone.” It’s worth remembering when a brand promises a “Botox in a bottle” experience – it doesn’t actually exist, so don’t expect the world.
Retinoids for everyone
Shock horror! Most of us have been told that retinoids are the gold standard to treat all manner of different skin concerns, from acne to the ageing process,…
