COMMON SKIN CARE MYTHS

Sometimes, with so much information available out there, it can get harder and harder to differentiate sound, professional advice from complete lies. We felt it was crucial to debunk a few of the most common skincare myths that are still floating around in 2020, and give you the low-down on what you should actually be doing in your skincare routine…

MYTH #1: THE MORE MAKEUP YOUR WEAR, THE FASTER YOUR SKIN WILL AGE

Beauty gurus, rejoice! As long as you have a regular skin cleansing routine and pay extra attention to removing your daily makeup, there is no reason makeup should impact your skin’s elasticity.

Makeup itself is not what makes skin age––time does! But so does the extra sebum and debris that accumulates on your face over the course of the day, and sun exposure without SPF. A poor skincare routine (see other no-nos below) is what causes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time, which causes true skin ageing.

MYTH #2: THE HARDER YOUR SCRUB, THE BETTER

We tend to enjoy “feeling” our products working, which is why exfoliating can be so satisfying.

However, expert dermatologists such as Jill S. Waibel says that 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—or even breakouts—in the future. Some scrubs may even damage the surface of your skin with micro-tears, even if you “feel” like it’s doing you some good.

We always recommend erring on the side of gentleness when caring for your skin, as scrubbing too hard (or too often) can cause irreparable damage. Experts suggest exfoliating only two to three times a week, giving your skin time to regenerate itself between scrubs.

In this case, less is definitely more!

MYTH #3: IF IT BURNS, IT'S WORKING

Um, FALSE. Skincare shouldn't hurt!

When it comes to specific medical-grade products, a slight tingle may be normal—a skincare professional would let you know beforehand. However, a burning or stinging sensation is not. If a product burns, please gently take it off with a cool, damp cloth.

If you commonly experience this with your skincare products, it may simply indicate that you have sensitive skin. There is also a chance that it could mean you are experiencing a mild allergic reaction, or have a certain underlying skin condition (like rosacea, for example).

If something feels off, we suggest removing the product from your routine and speaking to a skincare professional ASAP.

MYTH #4: MOISTURIZING OILY SKIN ONLY MAKES IT WORSE

It is a common misbelief that people with oily complexions can permit themselves to skip their moisturizer.

The truth is that, regardless of your skin type, many cleansers strip the skin of its natural oil (alongside dirt and makeup). This means that after cleansing your face, your skin is always in dire need of rehydration.

Skipping the post-cleanse moisturizer causes your oil glands to over-produce in order to make up for the loss of your protective moisture. Therefore, not only are you depriving your skin of its natural barrier, but you are making your oily skin and associated conditions even worse.

We suggest reaching for oil-free moisturizers, such as:

GLO SKIN BEAUTY OIL-FREE MOISTURIZER $60

ALYRIA OIL-FREE HYDRATING LOTION $63

MYTH #5: YOU CAN SKIP SUNSCREEN IF IT’S NOT SUNNY OUTSIDE

Wrong! SPF is as equally a necessity on sunny beach days as it is when skies are covered (yep—you can get a sunburn on cloudy days!). In fact, in the wintertime, UVA/UVB rays are highly reflective off of snow and ice, so you should definitely make a particular point to protect your skin. Excess sun exposure without SPF protection always leads to visible skin damage, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.

For more on SPF: Sunscreen: What You Need to Know

MYTH #6: STEAM FROM HOT WATER OPENS UP YOUR PORES

We hate to break it to you, but pores don't open and close based on water temperature, as the age-old myth says. Technically, your pores are always open! It is possible to tighten and prevent the accumulation of sebum and debris inside (minimizing your breakouts), but “closing” them is not possible.

While steam has multiple other benefits for your skin, such as increasing moisture and preventing skin flakiness or chapped lips, "opening" your pores is not one of them.

(There is also a common myth that steaming your face regularly reduces facial fat. We can assure you that this too, is entirely false.)

MYTH #7: YOU DON’T NEED AN EYE CREAM IN YOUR 20s

Say it louder for the people in the back: it is never too early to start using an eye cream!

The skin around your eyes can be compared to fine silk—it needs to be treated with much more delicacy than the rest of your face. Because of its thinness, the skin around the eyes is usually where we see the first signs of ageing, dark circles, and puffiness.

As they say: prevention is better than the cure. Therefore, we recommend investing in some serious eye skincare as soon as you can!

For more on eye skincare: Eye Contact.

Let us know if you have any questions or if there are any more skincare myths that you need to have debunked.

Until next time, take loving care of your skin!

Mathilde

Ps. In case you missed it: How To Adapt Your Skincare Routine With The Change Of Season