I ALWAYS RECOMMEND taking any skincare recommendation you see on social media with a colossal, boulder-sized grain of salt. TikTok could be nice for the occasional pasta recipe, however grooming ideas—not a lot. The newest little bit of eyebrow-raising counsel comes courtesy of health influencer and shirtless journaler, Ashton Corridor.
Over the weekend, a TikTok of Corridor’s in depth morning routine went viral due to his, er, notable habits. It featured inspirational tidbits like placing on a gold watch, bracelet, and chain earlier than hitting the fitness center, a couple of minutes of shirtless contemplation, and waking up earlier than 4 am to stroll out onto his balcony and stare pensively into the evening like a crypto-backed Batman.
Now, to be clear, there are some helpful habits right here. You’d by no means catch me waking up at 4 am, however early gym sessions are all the time useful, each with or with out gold jewellery. Trying inwards or journaling each morning? Additionally nice—no matter whether or not you’re absolutely dressed. However what actually caught the web’s eye had been the skincare hacks (?) Corridor rolled out within the video, specifically dunking his face in a bowl of ice water (Saratoga Springs, to be actual) and rubbing a banana peel on his face.
So I reached out to a couple dermatologists to find out A) if there are any real advantages to this quirky pair of habits and B) confirmed alternate options.
Are Banana Peels Good for Pores and skin?
Within the video at round 8:45 am, Corridor eats a banana (wholesome, sensible!) earlier than rubbing the peel throughout his face (doubtful, probably sticky). That is an outdated smart tale-type tactic believed to brighten pores and skin tones, cut back pimples, and even fight the indicators of getting old. In response to the professionals, there is no such thing as a actual hazard on this motion, however there’s not a lot to achieve from it both. “So right here’s the deal, rubbing a banana peel in your face has turn out to be form of a viral skincare hack, and whereas it’s not dangerous for most individuals, the advantages are fairly minimal and never well-supported by strong medical proof,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery in New York Metropolis.
She provides that banana peels do pack some useful antioxidants, like lutein, vitamin C, and naturally, potassium, three elements which might be identified to assist the pores and skin barrier and facilitate hydration. Nonetheless, there’s not sufficient of any of those on the floor to offer noticeable advantages. “The concentrations are so low that you just’re unlikely to see any significant affect in your pores and skin—particularly in comparison with well-formulated skincare merchandise which might be designed to truly penetrate the pores and skin barrier,” says Dr. Kopelman.
Confirmed Merchandise To Strive As an alternative of Banana Peels
Many individuals appear to be utilizing this tactic to fight widespread pores and skin situations like pimples, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles, however Dr. Kopelman confirms that in terms of these points, banana peels will do little to correctly handle them. “I’d a lot relatively see somebody use a mild exfoliant, a great antioxidant serum, and sunscreen constantly. That’s the place the true outcomes come from,” she says.
For the same, but simpler antioxidant-driven soothing impact, Dr. Kopelman first recommends a vitamin C serum, like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic or La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C. She additionally rides for niacinamide serums, as “these ship actual antioxidant advantages that really penetrate the pores and skin,” earlier than pointing to The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% as one in all her go-to choices.
Is Ice Water Good for Pores and skin?
Twice within the video, Corridor may be seen dunking his face into a big bucket of ice water. However not simply any ice water, particularly Saratoga Spring Water. Presumably, that is because of the minerals which might be discovered on this water like calcium, which might assist the pores and skin’s moisture barrier, and magnesium, which helps hydrate pores and skin and enhance its elasticity. This truly does have some foundation in a extra confirmed remedy, nonetheless, you’re not going to get a lot out of it on this type. “I’ve undoubtedly seen the ice water face dunking development on TikTok—it’s primarily a type of chilly remedy, or ‘cryotherapy,’ which has lengthy been utilized in dermatology and skincare,” says Dr. Kopelman.
This remedy usually entails publicity to extraordinarily chilly temperatures (very like an ice bath), which numb the physique, lowering swelling, and constricts blood vessels to assist alleviate irritation. Because of this, such a remedy is believed to agency pores and skin, soothe irritation, and reduce puffiness. However the dermatologist warns that whereas this may be mildly efficient, the advantages don’t final. “The results are short-term and beauty,” she says.
Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist, does notice that there could be some psychological advantages to this behavior, saying, “It might probably assist relieve nervousness and stress by slowing down your coronary heart charge and focusing in your respiratory.” However by way of any potential pores and skin advantages of tightening, reducing irritation, or lowering puffiness, they are going to be short-lived or non-existent. That being stated, Dr. Chacon presents a helpful various with the water that’s scientifically confirmed to reinforce pores and skin well being. “Possibly drink the Saratoga Spring Water. Staying hydrated helps with puffiness and irritation.”
Corridor, not so subtly, implies that iced Saratoga Spring Water is the important thing to actually attaining these advantages. So, is his model loyalty legitimate? In a phrase, no. “When it comes to skincare advantages, there’s no actual benefit to utilizing Saratoga Spring Water over common filtered water for ice dunking,” says Dr. Kopelman, earlier than confirming that the minerals inside this water are driving a lot of this dedication, nonetheless, there’s no proof that utilizing Saratoga Spring Water would make dunking your face into ice water simpler than some other model or from the faucet for that matter.
As New York-based dermatologist Dr Hadley King, MD, explains, these minerals do have advantages, however once more, publicity to them on this approach just isn’t sufficient to provide these dermal boons. “Saratoga Spring Water accommodates minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carbonates, however I do not suppose that short-term topical publicity could have a big impact,” she says.
Confirmed Merchandise To Strive As an alternative of Ice Water
Identical to the banana peel, there are merchandise and habits on the market with rather more scientific and confirmed monitor information for being useful to pores and skin. When it comes to vasoconstriction, aka narrowing blood vessels with chilly temperatures, Dr. King recommends as a substitute chilly jade rollers, chilly eye patches, chilly compresses, chilly tea baggage (caffeine also can trigger vasoconstriction), and even taking a cold shower.
Dr. Kopleman provides that, along with jade rollers, stainless-steel cryo sticks also can assist with puffiness and enhance circulation whereas being way more nice than dunking your face in ice water. Straightforward each day life-style modifications will also be an enormous issue right here, to not point out none of them require waking up earlier than the solar.
“Easy life-style elements, like getting sufficient sleep, lowering salt consumption, and staying well-hydrated, could make a giant distinction over time,” she says. Past that, search for skincare merchandise with elements like caffeine, inexperienced tea extract, and niacinamide that additionally assist with irritation and puffiness, based on Dr. Kopelman.
In the event you’re nonetheless on the fence, Dr. King does notice one main group of people that stand to utterly profit from these ice water dunks. As she places it, “I’ve learn that Primo Manufacturers (Saratoga) inventory shares are benefitting from this development—in order that’s nice for those who’re a shareholder.”
Meet the Specialists
- Dr. Hannah Kopelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery.
- Dr Hadley King, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist.
- Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist.
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Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Males’s Well being. He brings over half a decade of expertise overlaying well being, wellness, and life-style. When Sean’s not writing about hair merchandise, you’ll find him working for train, or towards the closest meals truck.