Everyone wants to have clear, smooth, and glowy skin and sometimes, it’s super hard to maintain perfect skin 24/7. Actually, maybe impossible? Especially when we are constantly exposed to new skincare advice, products, and trends on a daily basis. All the time, right??.
No matter how much you think you know about skincare, it can be super hard to distinguish which of these trends and advice are true and which ones are not.
Despite the influx of modern science and readily available information, there are still some skincare myths that people continue to believe in. So in today’s post, we’re exposing some of the most common skincare myths, and uncovering the truths behind them.
10 Skincare Myths Busted
♡ Skincare Myth #1: You only need sunscreen when it’s sunny outside.
So many people believe that sunscreen is only necessary at the beach or when spending extended periods of time outside. But, just because the sun doesn’t feel as strong as when you’re at the beach, this doesn’t mean you’re not exposing your skin to dangerous UV rays on a daily basis. Dangerous sun rays that could cause wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer.
Fact: You should wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
Ready to learn some (sun) burning truth? To protect your skin from UV damage and premature aging, you should apply sunscreen every day you plan to spend time outdoors. Even on super cloudy and overcast days, plenty of UV rays are still making their way through the clouds, and into your skin. And in some cases, clouds can actually amplify UV rays. Lauryn is loving Elta MD, Bliss, and the SPF in her It Cosmetics CC cream.
Tip: When applying sunscreen, don’t forget your eyelids!
♡ Skincare Myth #2: You should always shave against the grain.
It’s tempting to shave against the grain when shaving your face, legs, and armpits, because it feels like you’re getting a closer shave. But, have you ever considered how this might be affecting your skin cells and hair follicles?
Fact: You should always shave in the direction that the hair grows.
Especially when it comes to shaving your face. Shaving against the grain (aka in the opposite direction that your hair naturally grows), can lead to some skin issues. Think increased risk for ingrown hairs, razor burn, and dry skin, and general damage of healthy skin cells. Shaving against the grain WILL NOT promote soft and glowy skin.
More tips on face shaving, here. Obvs at The Skinny Confidential, we all use the HOT SHAVE RAZOR & HOT SHAVE CREAM.
♡ Skincare Myth #3: Too much makeup causes acne.
We’ve heard this one a thousand times. But in reality, makeup doesn’t have anything to do with most acne breakouts. Acne is usually the result of hormones, unhealthy diet, stress, and/or improper cleansing.
Fact: Low-quality products and improper removal of makeup cause acne.
Let’s put this one to bed once and for all. Using good-quality makeup, even every single day, isn’t the source of your acne. If you’re experiencing breakouts after using makeup, it’s more likely that you’re using a low-quality product. OR, you’re not completely removing your makeup after wear. To avoid clogged pores that lead to acne, you should always wash your face and remove your makeup (thoroughly) before bed.
Lauryn is a big fan of the double cleanse. You’ll need an oil or a cleansing balm, baby wash cloths, and your regular cleanser.
♡ Skincare Myth #4: Lips do not sunburn.
When it comes to UV protection, so many of us often forget that things like our eyelids, scalp, and lips need to be protected as well. And most of the time, our lips don’t physically burn when they get sunburn. Instead, they dry, crack, and swell. Ouch.
Fact: Lips can most certainly sunburn.
Like all the other parts of your body, your lips can totally get sunburnt. And it’s not fun. In order to protect your lips from sun damage, fight premature aging, and promote overall healthy looking lips, grab a broad spectrum SPF lip balm and wear it everyday.
More on proper lip care, here.
♡ Skincare Myth #5: Hot water is good for your skin.
Yes – hot water is great for cleansing because it kills bacteria and helps to remove dirt, grime, and gunk. HOWEVER, this literally only applies to household cleaning like dishes, countertops, and clothes. This does not apply to cleansing the skin.
Fact: Prolonged exposure to hot water can dry and damage your skin.
Long hot showers and baths can be super detrimental to skin. Hot water can dry and damage healthy skin cells, and can exacerbate already sensitive skin. Especially if you have a chronic skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis. Instead of hot water, always opt for lukewarm or even cold water when cleansing. Cold water has tons of benefits – for the hair and skin, as well as for the overall health of your heart, immune system, and more.
♡ Skincare Myth #6: A spray tan protects your skin from sunburn.
We’re not really sure why anyone would think that a spray tan would protect your skin from sunburn. Contrary to popular belief, a spray is NOT a protective layer. While some tanning products do contain SPF in small amounts, this provides minimal to no protection from sun exposure.
Fact: A spray tan does not protect the skin from UV damage.
The only things that protects skin from UV damage are clothing and sunscreen. Period. Maintaining a nice base tan can also protect your skin (as opposed to always having fair skin), but even then, sun protection is still required for healthy skin.
Tips on maintaining the hottest tan, here.
♡ Skincare Myth #7: You can shrink your actual pore size.
Pores swell and appear larger when they are clogged and irritated. And when we practice good skincare, our pores appear to “shrink” and look healthier. However, the actual size of your pore can not be permanently changed. Your pores simply shrink and swell over time.
Fact: You can’t shrink your pores, but you can reduce the appearance of them.
So, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your pore size is your pore size. And this is something you can’t change. HOWEVER, you can reduce the appearance of your pores by keeping them clean, dirt-free, and free of inflammation. This way, they won’t swell and appear larger. And btw, when your pores are healthy, they are more easily concealed by other skincare products.
Tip: Natural ingredients like turmeric and honey are known to reduce the appearance of pores. As well as ice, ice baby, so if you don’t have one already – grab an ice roller asap.
♡ Skincare Myth #8: Only teenagers get acne.
Okay, if you’ve ever experienced adult acne, you already know this is a myth. And if you haven’t, what the fuck is your secret? While acne is super prevalent among teenagers, you might be surprised to know that adult acne is very common too. As well as baby acne, pregnancy acne, and even elderly acne.
Fact: You can experience acne breakouts at any age.
As you can see, acne can make an appearance at any stage of life. The most important thing to remember when it comes to treating acne is to find the source. If you’re a teenager, it’s probably hormones. If you’re a young adult, it’s probably a combination of hormones, diet, and stress. And if you’re older, it probably has something to do using low-quality products or cleansing improperly. With a little trial and error, acne is totally treatable.
♡ Skincare Myth #9: Men don’t need to moisturize.
When it comes to the actual make-up of skin, there are some differences between men and women. See what some board certified dermatologists have to say about the differences, here. One difference is that male skin tends to retain moisture a little bit better than female skin. This can lead some to believe that men don’t need to moisturize as much as women, or at all.
Fact: Everyone needs to moisturize.
No ifs, ands, or buts about it, everyone needs to moisturize. In order to prevent dry skin, as well as a ton of other skin conditions – AND – in order to promote hydrated and healthy skin, EVERYONE needs to moisturize.
If you want to manipulate your man into skincare, Lauryn dedicated a whole chapter of her book to it. Or you can get started with Dr. Lancer, Ole Henriksen or Dr. Dennis Gross products.
♡ Skincare Myth #10: There’s a one-size-fits-all skincare routine for perfect skin.
There are many skintypes out there. Just to name a few, there’s sensitive skin, dry skin, normal skin, normal to oily skin, oily skin, and so on. And even when we say “normal skin” – everyone’s skin is SO different that it’s hard to even define “normal.” The point is, everyone is different, so how in the world could there be a skincare routine that works for everyone?
Fact: Each person requires an individualized skincare regimen.
While it would be SO MUCH easier if there was some one-size-fits-all set of products, this just isn’t the case. Depending on the type of skin you have, which is dependent on a variety of factors (genetics, diet, environment, products), you will have a very different skincare routine than the next person. And in light of that, you’ll need to choose products that work the best for you and your skin type.
For a roundup of the best products for sensitive skin, click here.
When it comes to skincare, you can’t believe everything you hear!
With so much information out there on skincare, we thought it would be a good idea to clear some things up. To promote healthy, glowy, and all around sexy skin – kick these skin care myths to the curb.
What’s a skincare myth you KNOW is busted? Tell us below.
x, The Skinny Confidential team.
+ stalk this post on how to get smooth & sexy legs.
++ check out how to wash your face with honey.
SHOP THE POST:
