You may be surprised that many of the things we think we know about skincare are actually myths. A lot of inaccurate information has been passed down and passed around throughout the years. Here are some of the most common skin care myths, and the surprising truth about them:
Natural is Always Better
To say that all natural ingredients are good and all chemicals are bad is to oversimplify things. Remember that water is actually a chemical substance, made up of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. Yet water can be very good for your skin, and many, if not most, skincare products contain water. Instead of taking the natural vs. chemical debate to unhealthy extremes, choose well-formulated organic beauty products like those by Well Within Beauty.
When natural and organic beauty products are not well formulated, they can have an unpleasant texture, easily go bad, or even cause severe irritation. Some chemical ingredients, like preservatives, are need to keep the formulation of your skincare products stable, and to prevent them from quickly becoming stale. The key is to understand which chemicals are safe and skin-friendly, as well as which natural ingredients can cause irritations or allergies.
Aggressive Cleaning will get Rid of Acne
Many people who suffer from acne believe that they need to constantly wash their face to get rid of their breakouts. The truth is that over cleansing your face, or using overly harsh cleansers, can damage and weaken your skin barrier, making it even more susceptible to breakouts. Instead of using scrubs and heavily foaming cleansers, gently cleanse your skin using the double cleansing method at the end of the day.
Start with an oil-based natural makeup remover to remove makeup and sunscreen, then follow up with a water-based cleanser to get rid of any excess oil and remaining traces of dirt. This is much gentler, more thorough way of cleansing your skin. Remember that breakouts are often the result of a weakened skin barrier, so you should treat your skin with extra tender care instead of aggression.
You Don’t Need to Wear Sunscreen in Winter
Many people opt to skip sunscreen in the winter, or when the weather is cloudy or gray. The truth is that the sun’s rays are extremely powerful, and can penetrate through clouds and glass. It’s harmful UVA and UVB rays are still very much present on cloudy days, even if you can’t see them.
Keep your skin protected by wearing sunscreen every day, even on overcast or cloudy days. Choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection and an SPF of at least 30 for adequate sun protection.
Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer
Many people with oily skin skip moisturizer for fear that using it will make their skin even greasier. The truth is that oily skin is often the result of your skin feeling “dehydrated,” and overproducing oil to make up for the lack of moisture. Using moisturizer daily can help restore balance to your skin.
Lightweight, gel moisturizers suit oily skin best and feel most comfortable to apply. Stay away from heavy creams, as these may be too rich and feel too greasy for oily skin types.
Pores Open and Close
Pores do not have muscles that allow them to open and close. Pore size is genetic, and there is not much you can do to reduce the size of your pores. You can, however, minimize their appearance.
When oil and dead skin cells mix to clog pores, they can make them appear bigger and more noticeable. Keep your pores clean and clear using chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHA, which work by dislodging dead skin cells and removing them from the surface of your skin.
When it comes to skincare, it’s always good to consult a dermatologist or medical expert. At the very least, do your research and gather information from reputable sources instead of relying on hearsay.