The Mainstream Patient: March 2

New this week: Allure reexamines the use of gua sha's and ELLE reviews 9-black owned beauty products. NewBeauty explores mercury in skin care despite an FDA ban and InStyle asks dermatologists about face exfoliation. Women's Health reveals the 13 best dermatologist-recommended face sunscreens and Self talks about best acne patches.

You Can't Gua Sha Away a Double Chin

"I picked up the practice of gua sha in 2020 as a way to add moments of peace to my day and to revive dull, dry skin caused not just by pandemic stressors, but by plain ol' aging too. It seems like just about everyone on TikTok discovered the practice at the same time. In fact, it's probably the thing that influenced me to get a gua sha tool in the first place as the technique has since skyrocketed in popularity with fierce consistency."

9 Black-Owned Products ELLE Editors Are Loving This Month

"Welcome to ELLE’s Empties, a series where editors share the one beauty product that they are currently obsessed with in their rotation. Read on for our favorite eczema-friendly mask, a body-loving butter, and more."

Mercury in Skin Care Persists Despite FDA Ban

"For one poisoning victim, it all began in July of 2019, when she developed weakness in her upper extremities and sudden, painful sensations through her hands and arms. Four weeks later, she was deteriorating in hospital to a state of “agitated delirium,” in a Sacramento hospital. According to the case report, it led California Poison Control to identify abnormally high levels of mercury in the blood of the 47-year-old woman that had accumulated over several years."

How to Exfoliate Your Face Correctly, According to Dermatologists

"'Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin,” says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology. “This can be via physical exfoliation, utilizing a type of abrasive substance or tool, or chemical exfoliation which are exfoliating acids.' Chemical exfoliants (think lactic, mandelic, and glycolic acids) work by dissolving the bonds between skin cells and loosening surface cells. On the other hand, physical exfoliation (such as microdermabrasion) work by using firm substances to physically scrub away dead skin cells."

13 Best Dermatologist-Recommended Face Sunscreens For 2023, No Matter Your Skin Type

"You know you should be wearing sunscreen on your face every. single. day, whether it's the dead of winter or the middle of July. “Many people assume you only need to wear sunscreen on sunny summer days, though it really should be applied year-round,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD."

10 Acne Patches That’ll Help You Stop Picking at Your Pimples

"Some pimple patches are presented as a means to protect the skin while it heals, while others come with exciting claims that they can flatten breakouts overnight. In theory, these handy little stickers should be the acne treatment we rightly deserve, but you should temper your expectations if you’re looking for a blemish silver bullet. While acne patches are a great tool to add to your skin care routine, here’s what dermatologists want you to know before giving them a try."