Dermatologist Shops Walmart Skincare: What To Buy & Avoid

Dr. Andrea Suarez takes us shopping:

Confessions of a dermatologist

First, before we get to the product-specific parts, some things to know:

When it comes to handwashing in particular, regular soap works as well as antibacterial when you wash thoroughly, rinse all surfaces, and dry fully, while antibacterial soaps are usually unnecessary outside specific medical situations, and can increase irritation and antimicrobial resistance.

However, habits do matter at least as much as product choice, because residue from hand soap left in your skin (especially under rings, or in the “webbed” part between fingers) combined with water, friction, inadequate rinsing, and incomplete drying, can promote dryness and cracking more than the soap itself.

Now, as for product considerations: Dr. Suarez notes that soap quality varies unpredictably from ingredient lists, avoiding methylisothiazolinone can reduce allergy risk, and fragrance-free lotions are generally better for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

In the category of sunscreens: she advises us that sunscreen sprays require generous, multi-pass application without wind interference, tanning oils with low SPF increase UV damage risk, and fragranced after-sun products can further irritate compromised skin, none of which is great.

If shopping for children: most children don’t need extensive skincare due to naturally well-hydrated skin. Moisturizers are mainly useful for conditions like eczema, and dandruff treatments like zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide can help, though applying conditioner to the scalp can reduce medicated shampoo effectiveness (unless it also contains active ingredients, of course).

For more on all of this plus brand-specific recommendations/discommendations, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

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Take care!