There’s a lot of skin care myths out there. Some people swear by these myths, despite the fact they can be harmful to your skin. So how can you tell fact from fiction?
All you need to do in order to be thoroughly confused, is Google for skin advice. There will be millions of results, an avalanche of advice, and not all of it good. There seems to be a lack of good, clear advice, and instead a bunch of dubious hacks and myths.
We’ve scoured the internet, found 10 common myths, and researched the truth for you.
- Myth: Hot water opens your pores
The truth: Pores aren’t sensitive to temperature. If you use hot waster on your face, the outer layers of the skin swell, which makes the pores look open. However, pores don’t work like that, and hot water can damage your skin. Keep the water lukewarm.
- Myth: You can’t wash your face too much
The truth: Over-washing your face removes the skin oil sebum. This dries out the skin, makes it feel tight, sensitive, and irritated. And then the skin will produce more sebum to counteract it, making your skin dry but overwhelmed with oil.
Use gentle cleansers, preferably one that’s non-foaming and oil based. Don’t rub your skin too hard, and don’t clean until the skin squeaks. Cleanse morning and night – that’s enough for one day.
- Myth: Makeup with SPF is all you need
The truth: In makeup, the SPF is UVB protection. However, in sunscreen, it’s UVA protection. They are two different things and you need the UVB protection that sunscreen offers you. Apply sunscreen as a separate product and re-apply throughout the day as needed.
- Myth: Anti-aging products are for old people
The truth: Often, anti-aging products are just more intensive moisturisers and will contain things like collagen. These can be used from your early 20’s, and in some cases, the earlier you start, the better. Make sure you choose the right ones for your skin, as a product that is too rich will clog your pores. But, things like retinol can be added to your routine from your 20’s onwards.
- Myth: You can get rid of cellulite
The truth: Cellulite is hereditary. It’s not limited to overweight people, or those with less muscle, or less active people. While exercise will keep the area toned and might improve the appearance, it won’t eradicate it.
- Myth: You skin ’gets used’ to the same products
The truth: your skin won’t ‘get used’ to products. If the product is giving great results and improving your appearance, then keep on using it. Some products such as glycolic acid and retinol may need your skin to build up a tolerance to it as they can be quite powerful. If you skin stops looking as good, it’s not that it’s suddenly immune to the product, it’s likely your skin has changed and now has different needs.
- Myth: Botox banishes wrinkles goodbye forever
The truth: Botox works by relaxing the muscles which cause the frown (or smile), which means that they can no longer hold the positions that create the wrinkle in the first place. Botox doesn’t undo existing damage, and nor does it prevent damage in the future. It works for around three months, at which stage you’ll need re-application. You can continue using Botox long term which will stop muscle movement so that wrinkles don’t form.
- Myth: The higher the SPF, the longer you can stay in the sun
The truth: The SPF number refers to the amount of time you can be protected from the sun. SPF30 means you’re safe in the sun for 30 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. SPF50, 50 times longer.
However, if you’ve been swimming, sweating or are very sensitive to the sun, you’ll need to reapply it regularly.
- Myth: You can use day moisturisers at night
The truth: Your skin is doing two different things during the day and night. During the day, your skin is protecting you from the sun, it’s defending you from free radicals, and it’s actively working to keep you healthy. At night, it’s resting, regenerating, and renewing.
As a result, day creams should have SPF protection, they might have anti-oxidants, and should help you skin ward off problems. At night, when it’s more receptive, your creams should be restorative, with vitamins and peptides. Retinol, for instance, should only be used at night as it can make you more sensitive to the sun.
10.Myth: Dry skin makes you age faster
The truth: The biggest cause of aging is the sun. It damages your skin, dries it out, and gives you pigmentation. Things like pollution and smoking also cause damage. These things break down collagen fibres, removing firmness and elasticity. While you should deeply moisturise dry skin, the damage is done by external elements.
These ten myths have been widely disseminated and may be doing an injustice to your skin. Hopefully, you can make some changes to your skin routine as a result and reap the rewards of lush, healthy skin.
