Myth Busted: 7 Skincare Myths You Should Stop Believing
Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ?
It is your body’s barrier to the world, and the first point of contact for germs, pollution, and UV rays.
Your skin plays a key role in protecting against these harmful outside influences, while also helping to regulate your body’s temperature, insulate your from the environment, prevent excessive water loss, host the nerve endings that help you feel and experience the world around you, and more.
But our skin is often the most neglected part of our beauty regime (and our most abused organ too)!
How often have your rushed out the door without sunscreen, or skipped moisturizing after a shower?
It’s so easy to care for your skin properly, but the first step to a good regime is knowing what’s true and what’s false when it comes to skincare.
1. Myth: Washing my face with water and a washcloth is just as effective as any cleanser.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that we cleanse our faces twice a day (and after sweating) using a gentle cleansing solution. Sadly, water and a washcloth will not remove the layer of dead skin, bacteria, and dirt that have built up on your skin throughout the day. A cleanser that suits your skin type will be much more effective in cleansing your skin than a simple rinse with water.
2. Myth: I only need to clean my face once a day.
While it may seem unnecessary to wash your face twice a day, it’s actually an important habit to get into. Your skin repairs itself overnight, so cleansing your face before you go to bed creates a clean canvas for your body to work with. And washing your face in the morning primes your face for the day ahead, removing any dirt or dead skin cells that may have collected while you slept.
3. Myth: Exfoliation is too damaging to my skin. If I have sensitive skin, I definitely shouldn’t exfoliate.
Exfoliating with harsh soaps can be damaging to the skin, as some contain ingredients that actually scratch or cut your skin as you use them – not what you want from a face wash! But it’s important not to skip this step in your routine, as exfoliation helps your skin shed dead cells and dirt while increasing circulation, which brightens skins appearance and reveals fresher, softer skin.
If you have sensitive skin, the trick is to only exfoliate once a week, using a very gentle product. I have sensitive skin, and am wary of the ingredients in store bought exfoliators, so I recommend a combination of sugar and coconut oil, or even more gentle is baking soda and coconut oil.
4. Myth: If a corrective product doesn’t work quickly, it won’t work at all.
Just like when you start a new work out regime, it takes time for results to show. You can’t go from couch potato to marathon runner in a week, and you shouldn’t expect your corrective product to work magic in just a few days. There is no miracle formula, but patience and consistent use will produce subtle results that you’ll begin to notice over time.
5. Myth: I can use any product on my skin and it will work on me just as effectively as someone else.
You may not know this, but you really are a unique little snowflake. At least, when it comes to your skin. Your skin is unique to you, so a product that works great for your sister or best friend may not work so well on you.
Unfortunately, a lot of this is trial and error, but trying to find products that match your skin type is a good first step to finding out what works and what doesn’t. So whether your skin is dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal, or prone to breakouts, look for products that will combat your problem areas and promote healthy skin overall.
For example, if your skin is dry or sensitive, you don’t want something with alcohol that will dry your skin out more and irritate it. So start paying attention to what you’re putting on your skin and how your skin feels, and soon you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier complexion.
6. Myth: The more expensive the product, the better the results.
Money does not buy happiness. Nor does it buy healthy skin. Sure, the top brands are chock full of fancy ingredients that are usually hard to pronounce and promise amazing transformations. But as long as you pay attention to what’s on the label, you can get the same results from affordable products without having to spend your life savings.
Here are a few things to look for in your skincare products if you have sensitive skin: avoid fragrances, alcohol, and artificial colors, and look for natural ingredients that work with your skin type.
7. Myth: Anti-aging products are only for women 40s+.
Prevention is easier, I promise you. As we age, our skin gradually looses the ability to retain moisture, and without moisture the elastin and collagen in our skin break down, making our complexions look dull and flat.
But you can actually prevent the signs of aging by adopting a good moisturizing routine early on. Including a rich, anti-aging moisturizer in your skin care regime can help your skin look and feel younger, longer.
Skin that is well protected against the environment (think pollution, dust, UV rays, etc.) and moisturized regularly will remain healthy, look younger, and feel better for longer.
It’s never too late to start looking after your skin, but the younger you start the better the health benefits for your skin as you age. And remember, the best regiment for your skin is: cleanse, tone, moisturize. Exfoliate at least once a week, and don’t forget to use sunscreen!
