We take on the most common skincare myths and the truths behind them.
Myth 1: If I wash my face before I go to bed, I don’t have to wash it again in the morning. It’s already clean.
Truth: Day and night our skin cells shed and the secretions of oil and sweat continue. Oil, sweat and skin cells along with environmental pollutants collect on our skin during the night as well as the day. Our pillows are also dirty with grime from our hair, so cleansing is an important part of our beauty regime morning and night.
Myth 2: If I have oily skin, then it can’t possibly be dehydrated.
Truth: In fact the opposite is true: most oily skin is dehydrated. Oily skin is due to an over-production of sebum. Dehydration deals with surface water loss and it means there is an excessive dead cell build-up on the surface of the skin, which renders your skin unable to retain water efficiently. Any skin type, oily or dry can be dehydrated.
Myth 3: If I have sensitive skin, I should use as few skincare products as possible to avoid irritation.
Truth: Two main triggers of sensitive skin are: allergic or irritant reactions to products and responses to external environmental factors. Sensitive skin is really a lay term, not a medical term. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. There are ranges of skincare products that treat sensitivity and are aimed at rebuilding the skin and reducing redness and inflammation. It’s a matter of finding one that suits you – not necessarily sticking to just one product that may or may not be the most suitable.
Myth 4: Chocolate makes me break out.
Truth: No, this is a total myth. Some people could eat a box of chocolates and not break out, while others might break out regardless of whether they eat one, none or many chocolates. Nutrition can play a part in the clarity of your complexion, it is not the only contributing factor. Break-outs can be caused by a number of factors including hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress and more.
Myth 5: I think popping pimples is the best way to treat and get rid of them.
Truth: When a pimple is popped the keratinised cells (skin cells), sebum and bacteria may enter the dermis and cause a larger scar or possibly spread more bacteria into the adjacent follicle leading to a breakout right beside the old one. There are a range of pimple-kicking products available to dry out blemishes, without stressing the skin.
Myth 6: I use lip balm so much that now I’m addicted.
Truth: Well, it depends. While you won’t get addicted to the actual ingredients, you may very well get addicted to the feeling of soft, smooth lips. This can actually make dry lips worse, causing a vicious cycle whereby lips are dependent on faux-moisture to keep themselves supple.
Myth 7: The pores of my skin open and close.
Truth: Put simply, the answer is no. A pore is an opening in the skin that allows sebum to flow to the surface in order to keep the skin supple. However, they do not open and close like doors.
If your pores appear larger than usual, it may be due to dead skin cells that have built up in the pore. Exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and help keep the pores looking smaller and cleaner as can some pore refining products.
Myth 8: I’m in my 20s, so I don’t need to use anti-ageing products.
Truth: When you’re young, you lay the groundwork for everything – lines, discolouration, broken blood vessels – that appears on your face when you’re older. You can have the skin you have now for the next decade if you take care of it. It is never to early to use anti-ageing skincare products. Prevention is always better than a cure.
And remember the number one anti-ageing product: sunscreen. Wear it religiously – if you’re not, there is little that anti-ageing products can do for your skin.
