Stop buying These Drugstore Products Immediately!

🚨 The Worst Drugstore Skincare Products (and What to Use Instead) 🚨
Before you spend another dollar at the drugstore, watch this. I’m breaking down the most overrated, irritating, and barrier-damaging products I see people using every day, and giving you doctor-approved affordable alternatives that actually work. Honest, evidence-based, and friendly to sensitive and darker skin tones. 👩‍⚕️✨

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00:00 Intro
00:25 Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser
02:03 Neutrogena Stress Control Toner
03:08 Mario Badesco Rose Water Spray
04:08 Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
05:17 The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Solution
06:40 Biore Deep Pore Nose Strips
07:45 Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
09:42 Walgreens 10% Azelaic Acid

Drugstore skincare can be amazing when you know what to grab, but some cult-favourite products are secretly wrecking your skin barrier. In this video, I break down why certain formulas cause dryness, irritation and hyperpigmentation, especially if you’re acne-prone or have melanin-rich skin, and how to swap them for options that won’t leave your face tight or inflamed.

❌ Products You Should Avoid 😬

1️⃣ Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser
Menthol + fragrance + strong detergents = dryness, irritation and stripped barrier. That tight feeling afterward? That’s damage, not a “deep clean.”

2️⃣ Neutrogena Stress Control Toner
Salicylic acid mixed with heavy denatured alcohol is a recipe for barrier destruction. Especially risky if you’re using retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.

3️⃣ Mario Badesco Rose Water Spray
Pretty packaging, zero skin benefits. Mostly fragrant water plus essential oils that dehydrate the skin rather than hydrate it.

4️⃣ Traditional Witch Hazel Toners
Drying, stripping and misleadingly marketed as “clarifying.” Over time they leave skin tight, flaky and more prone to breakouts.

5️⃣ The Ordinary Glycolic Acid (for the face)
7 percent is too strong for many people, especially deeper skin tones prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Great for the body, not great for the face.

6️⃣ Biore Deep Pore Strips
They tug at delicate skin, risk broken capillaries, and only remove temporary keratin plugs that come right back.

7️⃣ Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
Harsh surfactants + salicylic acid + fragrance is too aggressive twice a day. Damages the barrier and often worsens acne over time.

✅ Affordable Alternatives That Won’t Destroy Your Barrier 🏆

1️⃣ ‪@Cetaphil‬ Sensitive Skin Cleanser
Gentle, hydrating, no unnecessary fragrance. Keeps ceramides intact and soothes sensitive skin.

2️⃣ ‪@PaulasChoiceSkincare‬ Salicylic Acid (or Walgreens dupe)
Effective BHA without the alcohol burn. Great for congestion, blackheads and acne.

3️⃣ ‪@LaRochePosayUSA‬ Serozinc Spray or CeraVe Hydrating Toner
Hydration, calming ingredients and no irritating essential oils.

4️⃣ ‪@byomaofficial‬ Milky Toner
Lightweight, barrier-supporting, and perfect if you want hydration without heaviness.

5️⃣ ‪@medicube4772‬ Toner Pads
Gentle glycolic + lactic acid at a friendlier strength for skin of colour. Smooths without over-exfoliating.

6️⃣ First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads
A very controlled AHA blend that gives glow without damaging the barrier.

7️⃣ ‪@walgreens‬ 10% Azelaic Acid
Great for rosacea, hyperpigmentation, redness and acne-prone sensitive skin. A fantastic alternative when exfoliating acids are too harsh.

🌟 Have You Tried Any of These? 🌟
Tell me in the comments which drugstore products you love and which ones ruined your skin. I want to hear your experiences so we can help each other avoid irritation and finally build routines that work.

✅ Don’t Forget to Subscribe
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