Dermatologist Debriefs

Why "For All Skin Types" Is a Marketing Myth

• Stefanie Williams

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In this episode, Dr. Stefanie delivers a reality check on products which claim to be "perfect for all skin types" and describes how the one-size-fits-all approach is fundamentally flawed. Conditions that may appear similar on the surface often have completely different needs and using skincare not designed for your specific skin type can trigger a range of problems. Dr. Stefanie explains how terms like "sensitive skin" and "for redness" oversimplify complex dermatological realities, often leading consumers astray. 


This episode highlights a crucial truth often overlooked by the beauty industry: using products designed for the wrong skin condition doesn't just waste money—it can actively harm your skin.


Listen now to discover what your skin may have been trying to tell you all along.

Speaker 1:

Dermatologist debriefs. Join no-nonsense dermatologist Dr Stephanie Williams as she debunks myths and shares her professional insights. Separating is skincare labeled as for all skin types.

Speaker 2:

This label is, in my opinion, fundamentally misleading, as skin is as individual as a fingerprint Not literally, obviously, but metaphorically and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work in skincare. So skin types are broadly categorized into oily, dry, combination and normal skin, and then there is, of course, sensitive skin, which spans across different skin types, and each of these skin types has very different needs, so skincare should be tailored to these very different needs. Skincare aimed at everyone simply is for no one and, for the avoidance of doubt, these four skin types I just mentioned aren't actually a very good categorization, but that's a topic for a different day. So, personally, I categorize skin types slightly differently and I'm going to talk about that next week, but for now, let's come back to today's topic. So what I meant is that there simply is no universal skincare. So don't get roped into that marketing concept and yes, I do think that this term is marketing driven as dermatologists and cosmetic scientists think in a much more differentiated way. Let me give you an example related to this. So there are some skincare products that are marked as for redness, just in general redness reducing skincare, and this redness label is a prime example of an oversimplification.

Speaker 2:

So redness can be a symptom of so many different skin conditions, each requiring a completely unique approach. In fact, there are two types of red skin which have fundamentally opposed needs when it comes to skin care. One, on the one hand, is atopic eczemaczema related redness that's linked to severely compromised skin barrier, with increased trans-epidermal water loss caused by genetic variations, with ceramide deficiencies, immune dysregulation and many other issues, and these patients with facial redness benefit from lipid-rich emollients, ceramides and other barrier-repairing ingredients. Rosacea-related redness, on the other hand, can worsen with these very heavy creams and oils, so these patients thrive on lightweight formulations, low in oils and silicons, yet, of course, hydrating and non-irritating. So here's the kicker Using the wrong product for your individual type of redness can actually exacerbate the problem. So rich creams can fuel development of rosacea papules, while oil-free lotions can leave eczema sufferers vulnerable.

Speaker 2:

And the same goes with the term sensitive skin or for sensitive skin on skincare. So sensitive skin is a symptom, it's not a diagnosis or a skin type, and there are multiple underlying causes, from atopic eczema to rosacea, to even low-grade contact allergies, and all of these need a very different skincare strategy. So the proposed universality of certain skincare items is simply a myth. These for all skin types labeled products are, in my opinion, a marketing shortcut, and they are evidencing a fundamental lack of understanding of basic dermatology and skin biology. So today's takeaway really is that skincare needs highly personalized solutions, and tailored niche products are the gold standard for healthy, resilient skin. I hope this makes sense. Very short one today. Next week I will speak about how to categorize skin types properly and why my five categories make much more sense than the usual four. I will speak to you then, bye, bye.