Skin Care Ingredients You're Probably Overusing

Elina Fedotova, cosmetic chemist, celebrity esthetician and owner of Elina Organics Skincare & Spas in Chicago and Kalamazoo, cautions overdoing serums with alpha hydroxy acids. The serums are great for removing layers of excessive dead skin cells, but if AHAs are used every day over-exfoliation can occur, resulting in irritation. Additionally, improper use can make skin vulnerable to sun exposure.

Leslie Kritzer, esthetician and founder of Skin Worship, also cautions being mindful of AHAs (e.g. glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid) in all of your skin care products. They can appear in everything from cleansers to toners to facial pads.

Fedotova recommends using alpha hydroxy acids moderately. "I would not suggest using it more than a couple times a week for people with sensitive and dry complexions," she says. "People with acne-prone and oily, acne-prone skin can do it more often but I would suggest talking with their skin care professional or dermatologist for advice."

Those who live in sunny climates and nearer to the equator (lucky them) may have to limit their usage. And always use sunscreen. Fedotova suggests the one with zinc oxide.

Analyze skin regularly. If it is red and/or irritated, stop using AHA products immediately — or any other potent product.

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