Skin Care Myths Debunked!

Estheticians, dermatologists, and consumers are constantly bombarded with the dos and don’ts of skincare, and sometimes it isn’t easy to distinguish fact from fiction. Read our guide on the most common skincare myths to learn more! We have listed some of the most common myths below, including information on why they are inaccurate and the truths behind these misconceptions.

• Skin adapts to skincare products over time, so switching products often is best.

Some people believe that you have to switch up your skincare products and regimen to keep them effective; however, this is not true. Your skin does not build up a resistance to products over time, but some external factors could change their effectiveness. For instance, skin constantly changes due to age, environmental factors, and seasonal changes.

• Your skin will age just like your mom’s did.

Yes, genetics do play a role in how your skin ages; however, environmental factors also have a drastic impact. For instance, if you are a sun goddess and your mother was not, you are more likely to have signs of sun damage such as wrinkles and dark spots.

• Trusting that your sunscreen has “all day protection.”

Reapply sunscreen often, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Although the label on your sunscreen may say that it will protect you from harmful rays all day, that is never the case. SPF only lasts up to 4 hours, and that is only if you’re not sweating or swimming.us scrubbing and exfoliating your skin will clear acne.

No, no, no. Acne is caused by oil overproduction, bacteria growth, and dead skin cells. Always be gentle with your skin, especially when using abrasive scrubs. Harsh scrubbing of delicate facial skin will cause more inflammation, dry skin, and micro-tearing, leading to premature aging and irritation.

• Drying out oily, problematic skin will clear breakouts.

Those with oily, problematic skin assume that they need to dry their skin out excessively to see any improvements. The opposite is true. However, drying the skin can trigger the body to produce more oil, so always use drying products sparingly.  The key is to keep the skin nourished, moisturized, and balanced.

• Skin repair only happens when you’re sleeping.

Getting a good night’s rest helps the skin appear fresh and healthy, but skin repair is ongoing. However, not getting enough sleep may contribute to high-stress levels, dark circles, puffy skin, and lowered collagen production.

• Using more significant quantities of skincare products will yield better and faster results.

Less is always more when it comes to using skincare products. Using more than is recommended can cause adverse effects and damage the skin. Not to mention, using an excessive amount of product is a waste of money. Usually, a dime-size amount of product will suffice.

• What you consume daily does not affect your skin’s appearance.

What you consume has an impact on your skin’s health and appearance. For instance, fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants to help fight signs of aging. Healthy fats like avocados, fish, olive oil, and leafy greens help keep skin hydrated, strong, and elastic. Studies have shown that reducing the intake of white bread, pasta, and refined sugars can lower the stress hormone cortisol and could minimize breakouts. Switch these foods out for healthy whole grains and lean meats to help build the body’s levels of antioxidants, blemish fighting zinc, and collagen-building proteins. In addition, although dairy products contain vitamins, minerals, and calcium, they also have the hormone known as IGF-1, which is good for baby cows but causes inflammation in humans and could lead to acne.

• Pores on the skin open and close.

One of the most common skincare misconceptions is that pores will open with hot water/steam and close with a splash of cold water. This is entirely false. Pores are openings on the skin that allow sebum (oil) to reach the surface. Pores may appear larger if there are many dead skin cells or bacteria in them. Steam can help loosen up the sebum inside the pore, and once it is removed, pores may appear smaller.

• Facial massaging and “workouts” prevent wrinkles.

The skin has elasticity and provides very little resistance. As a result, massaging and “working out” the skin stretches the skin instead of tightening it. This causes adverse effects to occur because it causes fine lines and wrinkles.

• Everyone outgrows acne. 

Some dermatologists suggest that adult acne can signify that there may be something else off internally. This myth is far from true. Studies have shown that adults ranging from twenty to sixty years old still suffer from acne. For women, hormonal changes are usually the culprit. Stress and dietary intake may also contribute to male and female adult acne cases.