The 3 Biggest Skincare Rip-Offs Every Woman Should Know

There are shelves upon shelves of skincare products out there that make claims they can't back up. If you have acne, sun spots, or signs of aging that you would do anything to get rid of, there are plenty of skincare brands eager to let you know how they'll remedy your problem. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for them to slap an intriguing label on a bottle or jar and not create a formula with ingredients that actually tackles your skin issue. 

These are three biggest skincare rip-offs and how to avoid them. 

Photos: Shutterstock 

There are many tubes of acne cream that vow they'll get rid of pimples overnight. Unless these spot treatments contain a balance of salicyclic acid or benzoyl peroxide with ingredients that can soothe inflammation (aloe vera and willow bark are good examples), you could be using a harsher than necessary treatment that dries out your skin completely and makes acne even worse. 

Instead of waiting for a pimple to pop up and attacking it with a harsh acne treatment, investing in a cleansing system for acne-prone skin is a more effective way to keep acne at bay. The trio of products in Proactiv 3-Step Acne Treatment System contain gentle, exfoliating glycolic acid, bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide, and a lightweight moisturizer with green tea extract. Take good care of your skin with products that address acne before breakouts and you skin will be clearer, softer, and healthier. 

Proactiv 3-Step Acne Treatment System, $38.75

If you have hyperpigmentation from years of exposure to UV rays or skin changes caused by pregnancy or hormonal imbalances, it's not easy to address the problem outside of a dermatologist's office. If laser treatments aren't in your budget, don't trust any old cream that makes promises it probably can't keep when it comes to hyperpigmentation. 

Fade dark spots and acne scars with Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, which contains activated Vitamin C, white birch, and peony extract. 

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, $135.14

Moisturizers are a dime a dozen — unless you're using one that contains effective ingredients designed to trap moisture (hyaluronic acid), strengthen your skin's barrier (ceramides), boost collagen and elastin production (retinol), or protect your skin from UV rays (sunscreen). In other words: read labels and skip pricey moisturizers that are all hype without ingredients to back up their claims. 

A gel cream free of oils, dyes, and fragrances, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel Face Moisturizer absorbs quickly, but provides an amazing amount of hydration, thanks to hyaluronic acid, which can absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel Face Moisturizer, $15.68