Top 10 Skincare Myths Debunked by Science
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In Today’s article , We’re gonna dive straight into the top 10 skincare myths that need to be busted, done and dusted, because honestly, I can’t believe these myths are still around in 2024. It’s time to put an end to them once and for all.
If you don’t have time to read this post right now, why not save it for later?
top 10 Skincare Myths Debunked by Science
skincare Myth #1 : Not washing your face causes acne
Acne isn’t caused by being dirty, okay? There are lots of reasons why you might get acne. It could be because of hormones or inflammation, or even the stuff you eat or the medications you take. So, saying acne is because you’re not clean is just plain wrong. It’s a harmful idea that needs to go away.
Having acne is tough enough without people thinking you’re dirty too. Taking care of your skin with the right products and habits can help, like using the right ingredients to calm inflammation and changing your pillowcase regularly to stop oil buildup. But remember, having acne doesn’t mean you’re dirty, just that you might need to take extra care of your skin.
skincare Myth #2 : You need to exfoliate your face every single day
No way! If you exfoliate too much, it messes up your skin’s protection. There’s this brand I like, Virgi Kosher. But if people use it too often, they’re told to use it twice a day. It’s so strong that it can strip away the outer layer of your skin and make it raw. Plus, you might become sensitive to an ingredient you weren’t sensitive to before.
So, when you’re using a chemical acid to exfoliate your skin, doing it three to four times a week is plenty. You don’t need to do it more often than that. Also, it’s best to exfoliate at night after washing your face to get rid of the day’s grime. It makes a big difference in your skincare routine and overall skin health. Just remember to wear sunscreen the next day. That’s all, just wear sunscreen.
skincare Myth #3 : clean skincare is naturally better
I put up a story on Instagram this week featuring a skincare brand I like. I didn’t mention the brand because I’m actually a fan of some of their products. A few months back, I left an eye cream from this brand open on my shelf as an experiment. Then I bought a fresh one to compare. The difference was striking—the open one had completely changed in quality, showing how important preservatives are.
Just because something’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s better. Think about it—anthrax, poison ivy, arsenic, all natural, all harmful. We’ve got modern science and research for a reason. Sometimes, lab-made stuff is actually safer and more effective because it’s purified and free from natural irritants.
Enough with the natural hype. I get it, some people swear by it, and that’s fine. But the fear-mongering about anything non-natural being harmful needs to stop. If you’re living in a big city like Los Angeles, surrounded by pollution, natural alone isn’t going to save you. Let’s be realistic here.
skincare Myth #4 : Eye creams don’t do anything
This one might be true. Seriously, there’s so much nonsense out there about eye creams, especially now that I’m involved in making my own skincare products line. I’m starting to see how messed up it all is. They often just put regular moisturizer in a fancy jar, slap an “eye cream” label on it, and hike up the price. But truth be told, it’s basically the same stuff you’d put all over your face, just thicker and maybe a tad gentler.
Related : How To Get Rid Of Under-Eye Dark Circles Permanently
Now, if the eye cream actually has useful stuff like retinol for collagen or brightening ingredients for dark circles, then sure, go ahead and use it. But if you’re not prone to getting little whiteheads, you can just use Vaseline or your regular heavy-duty moisturizer under your eyes. No need to splurge on some fancy jar that costs an arm and a leg.
I mean, if it makes you happy and you want to treat yourself, then go ahead and indulge. But let’s be real, you’re not going to reverse time and look like a baby just because you slathered on some expensive cream. It’s all in your head, really.
skincare Myth #5 : You don’t need retinol until your 30s, 40s, or 50s
Nope. Retinol actually came from a group of compounds called retinoids. It’s good for people with acne that forms blackheads and whiteheads because it clears out your pores and hair follicles, preventing those annoying spots.
Related : Unveiling The Secrets Of Retinoids: Your Path To Glowing Skin
Guess who often deals with this type of acne? Teens. At first, retinol was mainly for them. Later, we discovered it also boosts collagen, which is great for your skin’s health in the long run. So, starting early with retinol can pay off.
Related : How To Treat Blackheads, Whiteheads, And Milia: Effective Treatments And Prevention
You don’t need to go all out with super-strong retinol. Just use what your skin can handle regularly. Consistency matters more than using a super strong one and frying your face. Stick to what works for your skin, instead of going for broke. Got it? Consistency beats intensity, every time.
Related : The Easy Beginner Guide On How To Use Retinol
skincare Myth #6 : You don’t need to wear sunscreen in the fall or winter
Nope, that’s not true. Fall is still fall, no doubt. The sun sticks around all year, even if it’s not as hot. Plants are still alive, even if they lose their leaves in winter. So, you’re still benefiting from the sun’s rays. UV rays don’t vanish in fall and winter, they’re just not as strong. You might not need to worry about sunscreen as much, but it’s still a good idea to use it daily, especially if you’re out or near a window. So, don’t forget sunscreen in fall and winter, always!
Related : Sunscreen 101: Everything You Need To Know About SPF
skincare Myth #7 : You will age faster or have bad skin if you wear makeup regularly
Who says that’s true? Well, here’s the deal: when you wear makeup all day and then hit the bed without washing it off, it’s not great for your skin. Throughout the day, your skin collects all sorts of stuff like pollution and oil, along with the makeup itself. This can stress out your skin and speed up the aging process a bit.
The key is to clean your face before bed so your skin can do its overnight repair job. But hey, if wearing makeup is your thing, go ahead and rock it! Just remember to give your skin a breather at night.
skincare Myth #8 : if it burns, it means it’s working
Maybe true, some products give you a tingly feeling to make you think they’re working, but not all effective products do that. For instance, strong products like acid-based ones might cause a tingling sensation, but not necessarily. It all comes down to how they’re made. If it’s a chemical exfoliant like AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs, you might feel some tingling, but if it’s hyaluronic acid, it shouldn’t make your skin burn because it’s not meant for exfoliation.
skincare Myth #9 : hyaluronic acid is the best hydrating ingredient in the skincare market
Let’s talk about hyaluronic acid. Some say it’s the ultimate hydrating superstar in skincare, but that’s not entirely true. In fact, it’s been debunked many times. I’ve covered this extensively in a couple of my articles if you want to check them out.
Related : Hyaluronic Acid : Is It Worth All The Hype?
Personally, I’m a big fan of glycerin, which I think is fantastic for hydrating the skin.
Related : Unveiling Glycerin: The Ultimate Skincare Secret
Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is just a humectant. It attracts water, but mainly for its own benefit, not necessarily for your skin’s. Sure, it might temporarily plump up your skin, great for special occasions like weddings or parties, but using it daily could lead to inflammation.
So, while it has its uses, it’s not a skincare essential you need every single day.
skincare Myth #10 : steaming your face will open your pores
Your pores naturally open up as you get older, so don’t bother with steaming. It could even make redness worse if you have rosacea. So, just forget about it and move on.
If you’re showering daily with warm water, that’s probably good for your skin. Cold showers might be trendy, but they’re not for everyone. The key is to clean your face gently at night with a mild cleanser and do some light exfoliation with a gentle chemical acid. That’s all you really need.
The Bottom Line
So these are my top 10 skincare myths debunked , I Hope this article helped you out clear some confusion about your skincare routine !
Feel free to leave any questions or feedback in the comments. I truly value my readers’ input.
