There’s always something we haven’t got that other people claim we need. Skincare wristbands are the latest ‘must have’ beauty tool. Rows of them are popping up in high street cosmetics stores and I’ve yet to see a beauty advent calendar without them this year. So, is the wristband yet another fad or a product that delivers standout benefits to any skincare routine?
I’ve come across people who claim the simple wristband is ‘ingenious’ and a much-needed addition to a daily routine. They go so far as to say the fluffy pieces of stretchy cloth offer a multitude of benefits that elevate the skincare experience. Is that true? This is what enthusiasts will tell you - and what I think.
Skincare wristbands enhance hygiene
This is a tough one. Yes, skincare wristbands can prevent messy drips when using a face wash or removing a skincare treatment. If you don’t like the sensation of water droplets trickling down your arms and soaking into your sleeves, they are handy for mopping up excess moisture. They will also limit the amount of dirty water contaminating countertops and bathroom floors. As for ‘enhancing hygiene’...
Just like face cloths, towels and spa headbands, wristbands should be kept fastidiously clean. They need washing on a regular basis, or they become just another breeding ground for germs.
It is true that a simple skincare wristband can protect delicate surfaces. They may be worth having if you want to safeguard furniture, mirrors and other surfaces from accidental splashes of water or skincare products. However, I find another claim, that the bands help to maintain the integrity of skincare products, quite laughable. How can people say that they ensure you get the ‘full potency’ of whatever product you are using? It’s not like you are using a wristband to apply a treatment.
Improved skincare routine with wristbands
I don’t buy claims that skincare wristbands drive a more focused application. Saying that something around your wrists will minimise product wastage simply isn’t true. If you spill something, you spill something. It doesn’t make much difference whether you spill it into a sink or on a wristband - it’s still wasted.
I’ve even seen people hold up the wristband as a multipurpose tool. ‘Use it for patting your face dry,’ they say. ‘It will reduce the risk of irritation.’ Would you want to dry your face with something that has probably been collecting contaminated water for days?
I’ve even heard of people using the bands as an application tool for everything from face masks to toners. Why, oh, why? Clean hands or a sterile piece of cotton wool are much safer.
Convenience and comfort are other selling points. Yes, a skincare wristband is easy to use and it is stretchy. But… I suspect the real reason this ‘tool’ has suddenly taken off is a desire for more spa-like experiences at home. Product development and the rise of multi-step regimens have fuelled a trend for a more serious, professional approach to skincare. However, when did we ever see a beauty therapist or skin clinic technician wearing wristbands? Never!
The bottom line
For some people, the sensation of water rolling down their arms is akin to the shuddering sound of fingernails scratching a chalkboard. It’s more than an inconvenience; it’s unbearable. For them, skincare wristbands are a quick and easy solution.
Hygiene-wise, I wouldn’t want to incorporate something into my routine that has the potential to introduce bacteria to my skin. In addition, the wrists themselves are an often overlooked area when it comes to handwashing. They can harbour all sorts of potential infection-causing nasties. The wristband can actually end up being as bad as a washing up sponge that has been left to become a breeding ground for germs on a damp draining board.
Bacteria thrives in wet, warm environments. Skincare wristbands are a potential threat to your well-being - unless you happen to use your washing machine every single day. If you like using wristbands, stay safe by ensuring they are kept scrupulously clean and never left on a damp surface or near a toilet.
You are better off investing £6 in a skincare product than a superfluous accessory like wristbands.
They are not a necessity. Use them if they make you feel better, but know the risks.
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