Quick answer: Nikol, a licensed esthetician, names three products she considers overrated—makeup wipes, the St. Ives apricot scrub, and Cetaphil cleanser. In their place she reaches for a gentle double cleanse (an oil or balm cleanser followed by a gel cleanser), a mild chemical exfoliant used just two to three times a week, and a low-irritation everyday cleanser. As she reminds us, skincare is personal, so treat this as a thoughtful starting point rather than a rule.
Key takeaways
- The three she'd skip: makeup wipes, the St. Ives apricot scrub, and Cetaphil cleanser.
- Swap wipes for a double cleanse—an oil or balm cleanser first, then a gel cleanser. Micellar water on a cotton pad works in a pinch.
- Trade abrasive scrubs for gentle chemical exfoliation (a BHA or lactic acid, or soft pads), and only two to three times a week.
- Replace a harsh or overhyped cleanser with a mild, low-irritation formula—especially for sensitive or mature skin.
- These are Nikol's professional opinions, not rules. Your skin may respond differently, so patch-test anything new.
Hey ladies! Are you spending a ton of money on products that promise the world but deliver next to nothing? In this video Nikol breaks down the three skincare products she genuinely believes are overrated after decades in the treatment room—and, more helpfully, the gentler options she'd reach for instead. Everything below reflects her personal professional opinion; since skincare is so individual, use it as informed guidance and see what suits your own skin.
Why does Nikol say makeup wipes are overrated?
Makeup wipes feel like the easy, lazy-girl shortcut, but Nikol argues they don't truly clean your skin. Because wipes have to stay damp on the shelf, they tend to rely on alcohol and preservatives, and dragging them across your face creates friction and can leave behind irritation. She also points out they're not biodegradable, so they're rough on the environment too. Her fix is simple and gentle:
- Start with an oil or balm cleanser to melt away makeup, SPF, and daily grime.
- Follow with a gentle gel cleanser to finish cleaning the skin.
- Short on time? Sweep micellar water over a cotton pad as a quick pre-cleanse—far kinder than a wipe.
Cleansing balms and oils she mentions loving include Clinique Take the Day Off, Augustinus Bader's cleansing balm, and Elemis Pro-Collagen (which comes in scents like green fig and rose), along with the budget-friendly Anua heartleaf and vitamin E cleansing oil. For the second step she likes a gel cleanser such as Dr. Dennis Gross. These are third-party products she uses personally, not Nikol Beauty items—choose whatever fits your skin type and budget.
What's wrong with the St. Ives apricot scrub?
The St. Ives apricot scrub was everywhere in the '80s and '90s, but Nikol calls it one of the most damaging things you can put on your face. Because it's built around ground walnut shell, she says it can create micro-tears and abrasions and leave skin irritated—and she notes the brand faced a lawsuit over the product back in 2016. The old belief that exfoliation has to hurt or "dig in" to work is, in her words, completely wrong. Her gentler alternatives:
- Soft exfoliating pads—she mentions options from YSE Beauty (Molly Sims's line), Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peels, and Elemis.
- Liquid chemical exfoliants such as a 2% BHA (she cites Paula's Choice for oily skin) or a lactic acid with hyaluronic acid (The Ordinary's 5% lactic acid), applied to a cotton round.
- A rice-based powder exfoliant for anyone who prefers something that isn't a liquid or a pad—mixed with a few drops of water into a gentle paste.
Her big rule: exfoliating should never hurt, and you don't need to do it daily. Two to three times a week is plenty for most people. Over-exfoliating, she warns, is often what makes skin feel "sensitive" in the first place. Patch-test any new acid or scrub before working it into your routine.
Why doesn't Nikol recommend Cetaphil?
Cetaphil has been the perplexing one for Nikol since she became an esthetician in 2000. In her opinion it's the most overhyped cleanser on the market—she finds it slips around without really cleaning the skin. She lists ingredients she personally prefers to avoid in a cleanser, including propylene glycol, sulfates, alcohols, and parabens. (These are her own views on formulation, not medical claims; if a product works well for you, there's no need to panic—check with your own dermatologist before making changes.) For a gentler swap she points to a mild French-pharmacy milky cleanser like Avène's tolerance cleanser, the Tatcha rice wash, and, as a soft pre-cleanse, an Embryolisse micellar lotion. Again, all third-party picks—pick a mild, low-irritation cleanser that leaves your skin comfortable rather than tight or stripped.
The bottom line
You don't need harsh or trendy products to take good care of your skin—Nikol's whole point is that gentler, well-chosen habits usually win. A calm, clean canvas also makes your makeup sit and last better, which is where Nikol Beauty comes in. Explore our best-sellers, browse face essentials for a fresh base, or revisit the tried-and-true classics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three overrated products in this video?
Nikol names makeup wipes, the St. Ives apricot scrub, and Cetaphil cleanser. She feels each is either too harsh, too abrasive, or overhyped for what it delivers. These are her personal professional opinions, meant to help you shop thoughtfully rather than a verdict for every skin type.
What should I use instead of makeup wipes?
Nikol suggests a double cleanse: an oil or balm cleanser to melt away makeup and SPF, followed by a gentle gel cleanser. When you're short on time, she says micellar water on a cotton pad is a much better pre-cleanse than a wipe—gentler on the skin and kinder to the environment.
Is the St. Ives apricot scrub really that bad for skin?
In Nikol's opinion the ground-walnut scrub is too abrasive and can create micro-tears and irritation; she notes the brand faced a lawsuit over it in 2016. She recommends gentle chemical exfoliants instead, such as a BHA or lactic acid, or soft exfoliating pads. Patch-test any new exfoliant first.
How often should I exfoliate?
Nikol advises exfoliating about two to three times a week, not daily, and choosing gentle formulas over abrasive scrubs. She stresses that exfoliation should never hurt—if it stings or feels rough, you may be overdoing it, which can leave skin sensitized. Adjust the frequency to your own skin type.
Why doesn't Nikol recommend Cetaphil?
Nikol considers Cetaphil overhyped and lists ingredients she personally avoids, including propylene glycol, sulfates, alcohols, and parabens. She feels it doesn't clean well for her. She suggests gentler alternatives like a mild French-pharmacy cleanser. This is her opinion—if a product works for you, talk to your own dermatologist before switching.
Are these products bad for everyone?
No. Nikol repeats that skincare is personal, so what works for her may not work for you and vice versa. Treat her list as informed guidance, not a strict rule. If you have a specific skin concern, patch-test new products and consult a licensed esthetician or dermatologist for tailored advice.
