8 Typical Skin Care Myths Dispelled

There is a ton of skin care advice floating around these days, but not all of it is sound thanks to the internet and old wives’ tales. Some of this “advice” can even be detrimental to your skin and health. We looked into eight typical skin care promises with the assistance of esthetician Shauna Rose Dermigny to determine why they fall short. Discover what we discovered below, along with suggestions for what you ought to be doing in its place.

Myth #1: You get acne because you don’t wash your face.

Despite being widely believed, it is a myth. Simply because you don’t wash your face properly or frequently enough, you won’t develop acne. A combination of four conditions—clogged pores caused by the exfoliation of keratin/skin cells, sebum, bacteria, and inflammation—is necessary for acne to form. In other words, while not cleaning your face won’t help the issue, it’s not the only reason for acne.

Myth #2: Anything marked “natural” or “chemical free” must be better for you than other types of skincare products.

“This depends on the person,” said Shauna Dermigny. You need to have a proper skin consultation with a skilled and/or licensed specialist to determine what is best for you. Additionally, products like “chemical” peels can still be made with natural ingredients and are beneficial for all skin types.

When determining what components to apply to your skin, preference and skin type are the only factors that matter. There is no proof that parabens and other preservatives used in cosmetic care are bad for your health or skin. In reality, without preservatives, bacteria, mold, and yeast can grow more easily in skincare and cosmetics.

If you go for natural items, make sure to pay special attention to the expiration dates on your purchases because they won’t last as long as conventional products.

Myth #3: You’ll age faster if you wear makeup regularly.

SD: “I wouldn’t say this is accurate, provided you correctly remove your makeup each day and have a regular cleansing schedule!”

Makeup addicts: Now is the time to sigh with relief. You won’t age more quickly using makeup on its own. In reality, a lot of dual-purpose makeup items enhance, protect, or hydrate your skin as you wear them! If you don’t wash your face before bed, you’re leaving behind not only the makeup but also the grime, oil, and toxins that your skin has accumulated throughout the day, which is what accelerates the signs of aging. Fortunately, as long as you take off your makeup and clean your face at the end of the day, you can continue wearing as much makeup as you like without worrying.

Myth #4: Washing your face with hot water will open up the pores for better cleaning.

Don’t use hot water to wash your face, SD. Yes, steam will cause your pores to open. Allow your pores to open up in the shower or bath, or use a hot cloth. Working doesn’t have to be a pain.

The optimal temperature for washing your face is lukewarm, not hot. You don’t need to shock it with ice-cold water. Even though taking a hot, steamy shower or rinse could feel relaxing, doing so could harm your skin by depriving it of its protective natural barrier and drying it out. How can I determine whether the water I’m bathing in or using for cleaning is too hot? After rinsing, if your skin is still red, the water you used was too hot.

Myth #5: The harder you scrub/exfoliate, the better.

SD: “No! Once more, it need not hurt to work. When caring for your skin, always err on the side of caution. Your skin will be harmed if you scrub it too vigorously or too frequently. Exfoliate your skin only two to three times per week out of respect for it. Your skin needs to heal and repair much like your muscles do after exercise.

Typically, we frequently seek immediate gratification, and this also holds for our skincare regimens. Because we like to feel that our treatments are functioning, exfoliating—especially with a scrub—can be pleasurable. However, when it comes to exfoliation, less is unquestionably more. According to dermatologist Dr. Jill S. Waibel, excessive exfoliation “strips your skin of critical moisture and leaves your skin more prone to infections, clogged pores, and free radicals that might lead to undesirable wrinkles in the future.”

Myth #6: If it burns, it means it’s working.

FALSE. SD Remove it with a cool, moist towel if it burns.

This is one of the most deadly misconceptions out there because, like “No pain, no gain” or “Beauty is agony,” it almost seems plausible. A little tingling when it comes to skincare is okay (with some products), but stinging or burning is not. Your skin may be sensitive or it could be something more serious, like an allergy to a substance you’re using, depending on how you react. Remove anything that seems wrong immediately away. And immediately get in touch with your dermatologist if the discomfort or itchiness does not go away in a few minutes.

Myth #7: Rubbing alcohol will “kill” your acne.

SD: “Rubbing alcohol dries out and irritates skin far too much. The majority of the time, it will cause you to become so dehydrated that your skin overcompensates by creating too much sebum (oil), clogging you up.

Because it dries quickly, alcohol is a common ingredient in many skin care treatments. It is regarded as safe and effective for the skin when the proper kind of alcohol is used along with the proper components and concentration. However, rubbing alcohol contains an excessive amount of alcohol, which can damage your skin’s protective barrier and deprive it of essential natural oils. Instead, seek products that contain tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel, or glycolic acid to combat acne.

Myth #8: You don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin.

SD: “No, not always. You will need to replenish that barrier because the majority of cleansers will remove the natural oils from your skin. Consider using an oil cleaner, such as micellar water, if you truly want to skip steps. Since it won’t alter the pH of your skin, you won’t need to use additional products on some skin types.

Use a moisturizer of some sort to keep your skin balanced and nourished, regardless of whether it is oily and prone to acne or dehydrated. The variations relate to the kind and quantity of moisturizer your skin requires. Even while oily skin doesn’t need much moisture, it still needs a moisturizer to be nourished and hydrated. Dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD suggests using a lighter moisturizer, “such as a moisturizing serum or lotion against a thick cream,” when picking one.