We all want to have a complexion that is bright, radiant, and youthful.
If you speak to anyone willing to share, they’ll give you their super-secrets to how they manage to achieve this.
Companies have made their fortune peddling countless products that promise to give you the skin you desire. With so much noise on this topic, how do you know what to believe? Especially when so many claim to be ‘experts’!
Trying to achieve the complexion you’ve dreamed of comes down to a number of factors.
One of these factors is separating skincare myths from skincare truths. In short, there is so much skincare ‘advice’ out there that is not only false, it could also be harmful to you too!
So, to help you on your quest for truth and clear skin, we’ve uncovered 10 skincare myths you need to stop believing.
You only need to use sunscreen in Summer
Just because you can’t see the sun, it doesn’t mean that you’re safe. You always need to use sunscreen, unless it’s nighttime or you’re inside. UV rays are always present, which is what causes damage to your skin. Wearing sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy, is what protects your skin from exposure to these rays.
All shades of skin need sunscreen too.
‘Natural’ products are always better
The word ‘natural’ is used very loosely in a lot of products. The best way to illustrate this is with this example:
Snake venom is organic, as it occurs in nature through its own process. Is it good then automatically good for you? No.
Many ‘natural’ products aren’t regulated as heavily as others, which is a red flag on its own. Speak to the dermatologist and they will find the best products for you.
The more expensive the product, the better
‘Drugstore’ or ‘supermarket’ products have earned a bad rep. Whilst it’s true for most things in life that you get what you pay for, the most important factors when it comes to skincare are the efficacy of the ingredients and the formulation.
Retinol is equally effective at every age
Retinol is seen as the gold standard of age defense and it has earned this badge of honor. It’s important to note our choice of words here – defense – not blocking. Retinol will help with anti-aging, however, it won’t stop it. It’s most effective when used consistently at a young age. Using it for the first time, later in life won’t magically make wrinkles disappear.
Your pores open and close or reduce in size
Your pores really don’t do much except stay open. Many people will say that they open, close, or that you can even reduce their size – this simply isn’t true. Your pores can dilate or stretch thanks to age, temperature, genetics, or a few other factors, including clogging due to oil and dirt.
Another myth in this same area is that steam opens your pores, and cold water closes or tightens them. Neither of these is true. Steam has a lot of benefits for your skin however this is not one of them. The same thing goes for hot water.
Should you have an excess of oil or dirt that has collected in your pores, the best thing you can do is clean your face with a gentle exfoliator.
If you feel a burning or tingling, a product is working
You should be able to go through your routine without any discomfort. This typically means your skin can’t handle the product – which is fine. We all have different levels of sensitivity and while your friend’s skin might be fine with a product, it doesn’t mean it will be ok for yours.
You don’t need to moisturize your face if its oily
This is a myth because skin oil and skin moisture/hydration are not one and the same. Skin oil refers to the sebum content of your skin, a substance that is naturally secreted from your glands. It can contribute to an oily appearance of the skin.
Skin hydration refers to the water content of your skin. Oily skin can still dry out, so you still need to moisturize. If you have oily skin, choose a moisturizer that is better suited to this skin type. These will be oil-free products or lighter lotions that have a lower oil-to-water ratio.
Exfoliating
There are a few myths around exfoliating, so we’re going to put them to bed in one point. Yes, you do need to exfoliate. It has a lot of benefits for your skin, including the clearing of pores, evening your skin tone, renewing and brightening your complexion, improving the effectiveness of other products and it helps the anti-aging process.
Can you exfoliate too much? Absolutely. If you really think about it – your face doesn’t get that dirty. Washing your face in the morning and the evening should be enough for most people. Aim for gentle exfoliators as these aren’t as harsh on your skin. Too much exfoliating will lead to damage and sensitivity in your skin.
Final points
We hope this has cleared a few spots up for you (no, we’re not sorry)! The best thing you can do with your skincare is to speak to a qualified expert. They will be able to recommend the best products for you and your specific needs.