8 Common Skin Care Myths Demystified

When we are young, certain skin care rules—dos and don’ts—are put into our heads. As we grow old, everyone gives us advice, making it difficult to differentiate between what is fact and what is a myth. Not all of the advice you get is good. In fact, some of this “advice” can actually be harmful for your skin and health. This post will help you differentiate between skin care myths and facts.

Even if you Google a skin care issue and you are bound to come across hoards of conflicting information. And what is the result – Confusion!!

Unfortunately, a lack of simple, clear and truthful advice means that there are a number of skin care myths floating around.

So what should we do?

Don’t self-judge your skin and go by what experts say who suggest that you should use sunscreen even if you don’t see the sun outside.

Priti Singh, Global Skin Expert, O3+ and Shaivya Gupta, Research and Development Manager at Organic Harvest, have cracked a few myths that are common.

8 Skin Care Myths Demystified

So let’s have a look at the truth behind these common beauty fables…

Myth 1: You don’t need a moisturizer if you have oily skin

Fact:  Most of the people think that oily skin does not need moisturizing. However, this is not true; every skin type needs a moisturizer. No matter what your skin type—oily and acne-prone or dry and dehydrated—you need to use some kind of moisturizer to keep it balanced and nourished. The difference lies in the type and amount of moisturizer your skin needs. Whenever you cleanse your skin, you strip it off its natural moisture, which might trigger excessive oil production in oily skin. That can lead to additional breakouts and scarring. To avoid the dreaded shine, a light water-based, oil-free moisturizers work the best. When choosing a moisturizer, dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD advises a lighter product, “such as a hydrating serum or lotion versus a heavy cream.”

Myth 2: You don’t need a sunscreen if it is cloudy

Fact: This is one of the biggest skin care myths. Even on a cloudy day, UV radiation from the sun penetrates into your skin. So make sure you use sunscreen every day, and reapply after every two hours especially, after swimming or sweating. Even if you are wearing make-up with an SPF, using sunscreen is very essential.

Myth 3: The harder you scrub or exfoliate, the better

Fact: This is one of the most common skin care myths we hear for oily skin and skin with acne. Cleansing too often, using too much pressure, or over-exfoliating your skin can actually make the problem worse. Exfoliating too often “strips your skin of essential moisture and makes your skin more susceptible to infections, clogged pores and free radicals that can lead to unwanted wrinkles in the future,” says dermatologist Dr. Jill S. Waibel.

Myth 4: Popping pimples causes no harm

Fact: This is one of the most common skin care myths that float around. Though it seems reasonable to pry at a pimple to release the gunk that’s collected in your pores, it can cause serious damage to your skin. “Picking on pimples can cause permanent scarring and pigmentation, as well as run the risk of cross-contamination,” says Serrador. If your hands are dirty, you may end up introducing new bacteria into the zit or pushing existing bacteria further into the skin, causing it to become more infected and inflamed. Instead, resist the urge to pop and simply let your pimple run its course.

Myth 5: You get acne because you don’t wash your face

Fact: Though it is a popular skin care myth, it is, indeed, a myth. You won’t get acne just because you don’t wash your face correctly or frequently enough. In order for acne to develop, you need to have a combination of four factors: clogged pores from shedding keratin/skin cells, sebum, bacteria and inflammation. So, while not washing your face certainly won’t help the problem, it’s not the only cause of acne.

Also Read: 7 Essential Winter Skin Care Tips

Myth 6: Washing your face with hot water will open up the pores for a better clean

Fact: Pores are not temperature-sensitive. Hot water can make the outer layers of skin swell, which makes pores look more “open”. But they don’t open and close based on temperature. When washing, water should be kept at a lukewarm temperature.

Myth 7: You will age faster if you wear makeup regularly

Fact: Makeup junkies: It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief as this is one of the most common skin care myths. Makeup, alone, is not going to make you age faster. According to the experts, so many double-duty makeup products actually nourish, protect or improve your skin while you are wearing them! However, if you don’t wash your face before bed, you’re leaving not just the makeup, but the dirt, oil and toxins your skin has collected over the course of the day—which is what really causes aging. Fortunately, you can keep wearing all the makeup you want without a worry—as long as you remove it and cleanse your face at the end of the day.

Myth 8: You don’t need to use anti-ageing products until you’re in your thirties

Fact: ‘Anti-ageing products, particularly those with antioxidants, can be used as early as age 21 and the earlier you start the better. However, it is incredibly important to use anti-ageing products that are appropriate for your skin type.

These are some of the most common skin care myths that you often hear from people around you. So don’t fall into the trap and know the facts! If you know about any other skin care myth, do share with us in the comments section.