Yeah, not so much. That's just what the cosmetics industry wants you to think. If you're looking to streamline your beauty routine and stop wasting prime medicine cabinet real estate on products that are totally unnecessary, here are nine you can skip out on (while saving some major coinage).
1. Toner
Toner is essentially obsolete: Back in the day, when soap left a mild residue on your skin, toner was what you used to wash your face after washing your face. Now that many cleansers are formulated not to leave a film on your skin, you can nix toner from your repertoire.
2. Moisturizers for specific body parts
Skin is skin, so there's no reason to use a separate moisturizer for your neck, face, hands or feet. Now that that's out of the way, splurging on a hand cream because you lurv how it smells, or a foot cream in an attempt to get your beau to finally give that foot massage he promised, is totally your prerogative.
3. Anything with the word "cellulite" on it
Anti-cellulite creams don't firm your body or reduce cellulite long-term. While the caffeine in cellulite creams might give your skin a boost by improving blood flow and hydrating, really the only way to nix future cellulite woes is through good diet and exercise.
4. Shaving cream
Shaving cream's known for helping you get a closer shave, but you can get the same results using your body wash or hair conditioner.
5. Makeup primer
Word on the street is you're supposed to apply primer after you moisturize and before you apply foundation in order for your makeup to stay in one place, but where is your makeup going to go exactly? A good moisturizer will get the job done just as well — you know, unless you plan on hanging pictures on your face.
6. Lip exfoliators
Lip scrubs are supposed to get rid of dryness and flakes and leave your lips super smooth — but are totally unnecessary. All you have to do is take a clean mascara wand or toothbrush and lightly brush your lips for a smooth pout.
7. Foot masks
While they're the perfect excuse to put your feet up and take a trip to Shondaland, foot masks that rejuvenate tired feet aren't any more effective than a dose of hot water and moisturizer — and are often triple the price.
8. Split end terminators
Oodles of serums claim to repair split ends, but unfortunately they only tame the frizz temporarily, creating the illusion of smoother hair. The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off — otherwise, they'll continue to travel up the hair shaft and damage your hair even further.
9. Facial mists
Water plus spray bottle. Bam.
More beauty advice
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Seasonal skin shift: Prepping your skin for colder weather
Winter makeup habits harming your skin and your image