Skincare myths can often be quite easy to believe. Well, if you hear something a number of times, you start believing it. Not everything you read on the internet is untrue, but it’s important to weed out the myths, especially because the skincare industry relies quite heavily on word of mouth. In fact, we believe anything our friends tell us in hopes that it will work out for our skin. Below are some of the biggest mistruths about skincare that you should be wary of.

 

1. Oily Skin Means You Should Skip Moisturiser

Yes, it is true that oily skin type requires the least amount of moisturiser. However, absolutely no moisturiser should be an absolute no. Most of the cleansers strip your skin of its natural oils. The protective layer needs to be restored.

There’s also a possibility that your skin is too dry and your skin responds by making more oil, leading to breakouts. A moisturiser hydrates your skin by adding water to it.

So now repeat after us: Oily skin does require moisturiser!

 

2. Sunscreens with A Higher SPF Are More Effective

In theory, sunscreens with a higher value of SPF should give you better protection against UV rays. However, that might not be true in practice. While the high numbered SPFs allow fewer rays to hit your skin, they would be as pointless without reapplication.

The truth is sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. A sunscreen with SPF 50 is as good as one with SPF 100. So, save your bucks!

 

3. Squeeze Those Blackheads, It’s Perfectly Alright

As satisfying as it can be, do not and we repeat, do not squeeze out your blackheads! Yes, this is probably the quickest way to get rid of blackheads, but definitely isn’t the most effective one.

Squeezing out blackheads can cause irritation and redness. It can also leave you with scars! Also, squeezing a pore open can lead to more bacteria to enter, causing more harm than good.


4. It’s Shady Outside, So You Can Skip the Sunscreen

Reminding yourself to apply sunscreen when it’s sunny outside is tough enough. Now keeping in mind to use it when it’s not even sunny? This will be a task, but an essential one.

SPF is needed to protect your skin from UV rays from the sun, which is always present in the atmosphere. If it’s too much to remember, you can always use a moisturiser with SPF in it.

Busting Out Skincare Myths

5. Oily and Greasy Skin Will Cause Acne

We have all been given the “you should cut out the greasy junk food if you want a clear skin” talk quite often. That’s just all it is, talks with no substance. There’s no evidence that junk food like French fries leads to breakouts and acne.

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cut it out. There are a number of reasons to avoid unhealthy food, but acne is not one of them.

 

6. There’s No Such Thing as Washing Your Face Too Much

There is, in fact, a thing such as washing your face too much. This thing strips away natural oils and moisture, thus leading to dryness and irritation. As we have seen above, too much dryness can lead to the production of oil by the skin, leading to more breakouts.

Washing your face right would involve sticking to twice a day routine.

 

7. Blackheads Mean Your Skin is Dirty

This is one of the most common skincare myths. Blackheads do not mean that your skin is dirty or that it isn’t being washed enough number of times. Blackheads are formed when the hair follicle in the skin gets clogged up with oil and other debris. When this comes in contact with the air, it oxidises and turns black.

 

8. Face Wipes Can Be A Substituted for Cleanser

As handy as wipes can be to remove your makeup, they are a big no-no! They contain certain substances to keep them moist. These substances can clog up your pores, and lead to breakouts. A lot of makeup wipes also contain alcohol, which can cause stinging for sensitive skin.

Hence, it is always better to use a gentle cleanser at night and apply toner thereafter.

 

9. Ageing Creams Are Only for Your Thirties

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate as compared to the rest of your face. So, it will probably show signs of ageing first. It’s better to get a one-up over wrinkles and start using ageing creams right in your 20s. Prevention is always better than cure, right?

These night and day creams can prevent ageing skin, giving you a youthful look.

Busting Out Aging Myths

10. There’s No Such Thing As Too Much Exfoliation.

Wrong! No one can deny the benefits of exfoliation. It does expedite the removal of dead skin cells which might be responsible for the dull complexion. But too much of exfoliation can strip your skin of essential moisture, and make it more susceptible to irritation.

How often you should exfoliate will vary from person to person. If your skin is reddening up, it probably means that you should reduce the frequency of exfoliation.

And, the biggest myth of them all is: This product worked out for her, so it must work out for me too. Your skin is unique, so why shouldn’t your skincare? Yours personalised skincare provides you with products that are tailor-made for your skin type.

Take our 2-minute skin assessment, and get started! 🙂

About the Author

In-house skincare expert, loves books, tea, and dancing. Currently starring in her own reality show titled, A Modern Monroe; One Girl’s Search for true love.

View Articles