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Skincare is a science that we’re still figuring out. It’s been around for thousands of years, but we’re only beginning to understand how our skin works and what it needs from us. That means there are a lot of myths floating around about skincare and what does—and doesn’t—help you maintain healthy skin. So let’s clear up some common misconceptions with this list of 10 common skincare myths!
Myth 1: You need to shower every day
- Myth: You need to shower every day.
This is a common misconception about skincare habits, but it’s actually not true. While it’s important to clean off sweat and dirt each day, washing your face too often can be damaging for your skin. Showering too much can strip away essential oils and moisture, leading to dryness and irritation. Some people shower daily because they don’t want the feeling of greasy hair or an oily face—but this isn’t necessary if you’re using the right products. Others shower less than once a day—that’s acceptable too! As long as you’re cleaning off sweat when needed (and keeping up with other grooming habits), there’s no reason why you should feel like you must wash every morning before bedtime or after every workout session at the gym.
Myth 2: You need to wear sunscreen every single day
Myth 2: You need to wear sunscreen every single day
You may be surprised to hear that this is not true. Most of us shower in the morning and apply our makeup, which contains sun protection. Even if you don’t wear makeup, your daily moisturizer or lotion should have some SPF (sun protection factor) in it. In addition, most people apply a minimal amount of sunscreen compared to what is recommended by dermatologists. So unless you are planning on spending more than 10 hours outside with no access to shade or water throughout the day, there’s probably no reason for you to re-apply your SPF product every two hours as some health experts recommend.
Myth 3: Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizing
If you have oily skin, you may think that moisturizing isn’t necessary. But even though your skin produces a lot of oil, it still needs moisture to keep itself healthy and balanced.
Moisturizers provide a barrier between the surface of your skin and the environment. This prevents dryness and irritation caused by harsh weather conditions or pollutants in the air like cigarette smoke or smog. Oily skin can also be more prone to acne breakouts because it tends to trap bacteria near the surface of your face where they thrive on dead skin cells left behind when you wash your face after applying moisturizer!
Without proper hydration, oily complexions are more likely than others are at risk for premature aging including wrinkles and fine lines around eyes as well as hyperpigmentation (dark patches) on areas like cheeks where pimples tend appear often due lack hydration needed for normal healing process after breakout occurs.”
Myth 4: You don’t need a facial cleanser
Your skin needs a daily deep cleanse. A facial cleanser will remove makeup, oil, and dirt from the day, as well as any dead skin cells that have built up on the surface of your face. Choose a gentle cleanser that’s appropriate for your skin type—if you’re acne-prone or sensitive (like me), look for one that’s labeled “for sensitive skin.”
If you want to get rid of blackheads or whiteheads (AKA pimples) on your nose and chin area, look for an exfoliant with salicylic acid or glycolic acid in it. These two ingredients help break down oil clogs in pores so they can be washed away more easily by facial cleansers. You’ll find these ingredients in most drugstore brands like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser ($6).
Myth 5: Natural is always better
‘Natural’ is a broad term, and not always a good one. While natural ingredients may contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays, some of those same ingredients can be harmful if they’re not processed properly. For example, stinging nettle has been used for centuries to treat acne—but if you try to use it in its raw form (and especially without any kind of processing), it can actually cause inflammation!
Similarly, while many people think that products containing extracts or essential oils are better for their skin than synthetic products, there are times when this isn’t true at all. Some essential oils can be drying or irritating on the skin; others may not have enough research behind them to show how effective they really are as skincare agents.
Myth 6: Expensive products are always better than cheap ones
While the price of a product is important, it’s not the only factor to consider when deciding whether or not to buy something. There are many products that are expensive just because they’re trendy or marketed well. And some products may be more expensive than others for reasons that don’t have anything to do with efficacy (such as using ingredients that cost more). If you’re concerned about the quality of your skincare routine, focus on what your skin needs and then use your best judgment when choosing products according to their ingredients and formulas.
If what you’re using works for your skin and doesn’t cause irritation, then there’s no reason to change it. But if you find that the products that work for you are more expensive than other options, consider the difference in price. If it’s a small amount, it might be worth sticking with what works—but if there’s a big discrepancy between brands or formulations, then perhaps try something new.
Myth 7: Exfoliate your skin often to maintain your glow
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine, but how often you need to exfoliate depends on your skin type. If you have dry or normal skin, exfoliating once or twice a week should do the trick; if your skin is oily and prone to breakouts, consider exfoliating every day.
If you’re unsure of what products will work best for your skin type, try a gentle scrub that contains ingredients like walnut shells or rice bran (which are both great at removing dead cells) and use it right after cleansing with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid). Avoid products with harsh scrubs—they can be too abrasive for sensitive types—and steer clear of anything labeled “microdermabrasion” as well; those are more likely to irritate the surface than smooth out fine lines.
Myth 8: Sensitive skin is just dry skin
It’s a common misconception that sensitive skin is just dry skin. While it is true that some people with sensitive skin do have dry patches, this isn’t always the case. Sensitive skin can be a result of many different factors and doesn’t necessarily mean your skin is dry, nor does it mean you will have to use any particular products on your face. For example, if you wash your face with harsh cleansers or scrubbing tools such as pumice stones or facial scrubs too often, you could end up with damaged skin and redness around your nose or cheeks—that’s not necessarily indicative of sensitivity but rather a sign that something went wrong in the shower!
In addition to being caused by environmental factors like pollution and harsh weather conditions (including cold winters), sensitive skins can also be hereditary: if one parent has an allergy-prone dermatitis condition such as eczema then there’s about a 30% chance their children will inherit this trait from them.
Myth 9. Tanning is good for your skin in some way
Tanning is not good for your skin. In fact, it’s actually very bad for your skin and can cause serious damage to it over time. If you are tanning, you are exposing yourself to UV rays, which can lead to a variety of health problems such as premature aging, wrinkles and freckles, sunburns, hyperpigmentation (darker than normal spots on the skin), and even skin cancer!
Now that we’ve addressed this myth let’s talk about how we can get a healthy tan without putting our health at risk!
If you are looking for a healthy tan, there are plenty of options available to you. You can use self-tanner or go to a salon where they will apply it for you. Both options have their pros and cons, but either way it’s better than getting a tan from the sun! Self-tanning products come in many different forms: lotions, gels, sprays, mousse and more.
Myth 10. You should moisturize every day if you have dry skin.
Every dry skin myth has the same underlying problem: the idea that you should be moisturizing your skin every day. This is not true! You should not be applying lotion to your face every day, because it will actually cause more problems than it solves. For example, if you apply lotion to your face every morning before leaving for work (as many women do), it will remove any makeup or sunscreen that has been applied in the previous 12 hours and could lead to increased sun damage. The same goes for applying moisturizer before bedtime—this can also cause irritation and redness on your face as well as create an environment where bacteria thrive and multiply on its surface.
In general, people with dry skin should only use a thin layer of moisturizer once per day—preferably at night—and those with oily skin should avoid using any at all unless they have very sensitive types of skin with no other concerns such as acne or rosacea.”
These common skincare myths might be messing up your routine.
The way you care for your skin will depend on your personal needs and desires, but there are some common misconceptions that can get in the way of a good routine.
The first step to having great skin is knowing what products are right for you. If you have sensitive skin or have been experiencing irritation, try switching out your current cleanser or moisturizer with one that’s less harsh—you may find that it clears up any inflammation almost immediately. For example, if you have sensitive skin and need something milder than an exfoliating scrub, try using a gentle cleanser instead.
If other steps like cleansing regularly and using products that are right for your age haven’t worked yet either—or if they’re just not doing enough on their own—it might be time to seek professional help from an esthetician at a spa near where you live (or even consider calling in reinforcements from home).
It’s also important to understand that while it is possible to have great skin without professional help, it will take a lot of effort on your part. If you’re looking for quick fixes that don’t require much work or time on your end, keep in mind that they won’t do much more than give you temporary results. For example, if you want to get rid of acne scars quickly instead of waiting months for them to fade naturally—and possibly permanently—you can visit a dermatologist who can prescribe antibiotics or other medications that may speed up the process.
Conclusion
If you’re worried about the state of your skin, there are plenty of ways to improve it without breaking the bank. But if you want to know what works for you and what won’t—and why—you’ll have to take a closer look at your routine. Check out our list of common skincare myths above (and keep scrolling down for more) to see which ones might be hampering your progress and keeping you from achieving the best skin possible.
