Skincare habits are often shaped by trends, but not all are worth following. As we step into 2025, Dr. Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London, shares the skincare practices from 2024 that are best left behind. Here’s her expert advice:
Medical grade skincare
“The term ‘medical grade’ has become a popular phrase in skincare marketing, and suggests that anything with this label is stronger and/or clinically proven. However it’s largely a marketing construct with no medical or regulatory significance,” she says. “They often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, but this is simply a brand choice – not a guarantee of medical efficacy.”
That’s not to say brands that say they are medical grade is bad, but Dr Mahto recommends looking beyond the packaging to focus instead on ingredient quality and formulation. “Many over-the-counter products are just as effective – and sometimes better tolerated – than those labelled as medical grade.
