There’s always a new skincare fad, trend, product, or treatment generating buzz. Some trends have merit, but many are little more than creative marketing. Many are mere myths. This can leave you unsure of what to believe, spending a fortune on products that don’t work. Let’s break down some of the top skincare myths, and the truth behind them.
Myth #1 Exfoliating More Is Better
Exfoliation is a crucial step in all facial skincare routines. While skin self-exfoliates, the skin on your face is unique. Between oil, sweat, makeup, and skincare products self-exfoliation is inhibited. This can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells.
The buildup of dead skin cells can clog pores, leaving your complexion looking dull and uneven. The likelihood of oil and acne increases. Your skincare products can’t penetrate your pores if they’re clogged, which can leave your skin feeling dry. Clogged pores also slow cellular repair, which can accelerate fine lines and wrinkles and slow the rate at which scarring fades.
With all the benefits above, you may be tempted to exfoliate daily or scrub harder to “better” exfoliate when using granular exfoliators. However, more is not better, and scrubbing harder will damage your skin.
Fact: Exfoliating 2 to 3 times per week is sufficient. This includes your skin from the neck down. You can even find scalp scrubs and exfoliating scalp massagers. As an added bonus, massaging scalp exfoliators feel amazing!
Myth #2 Natural Products Are Always Better
Between toothpaste, deodorant, haircare products, skincare products, and makeup the average woman applies 168 chemicals to her skin per day. Men apply an average of 85 chemicals topically per day. In an effort to green your life and minimize the toxins in your home and skincare routine, you may explore your options in chemical-free skincare.
Many clean beauty brands market themselves as being more effective. They make claims that harnessing the power of nature will deliver faster and better results. Or that they’re a gentler alternative. These are common skincare myths.
While there are clean products that are both gentle and highly effective, naturally derived products aren’t always the better option. Some don’t work well at all, not all are right for your current skincare needs, and natural ingredients can be irritating too.
Fact: Skincare must be personalized to your unique needs and clean doesn’t equal effective. You can drastically reduce the amount of chemicals in your skincare and beauty routine while keeping some products with lab-made ingredients that deliver desired results.
Myth #3 Base Tans and Spray Tans Protect Skin
Yes, people with naturally darker skin may not burn as fast as those with lighter skin. However, applying topical tanning products provides zero UV protection. Going to a tanning bed or sun tanning before a sunny vacation doesn’t minimize UV rays.
Fact: Broad-spectrum sunscreen, UV-filtering clothing, and sitting in the shade are the most effective ways of protecting your skin from the sun. Also, you should wear sunscreen all year round and when indoors. And yes, your skin will still tan when wearing sunscreen. Reapply as directed.
Myth #4 Skin Cancer Risk and Dark Skin
Debunking UV skincare myths can save lives! It doesn’t matter how much melanin is in your skin, daily UV protection is required. Your skin can have melanin and burn easily. Even if your skin doesn’t burn as quickly as those with lighter skin, UV rays can still damage your skin and you’re still at risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer risk is slightly lower in those of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent—but everyone is at risk for skin cancer.
Fact: Just like stated in Myth #3, everyone should wear sunscreen year-round, even when indoors. Reapply as directed.
Myth #5 You Can’t Get Acne as an Adult
Although your first brush with acne may have been during puberty, you can develop acne at any age. Pre-teen and teenage acne often dissipate in your mid-20s. If you menstruate, your skin may be clear most of the month, but you may break out the week or so before your period.
Even if you didn’t have acne during puberty, you may develop acne in adulthood. Unfortunately, women are more likely to struggle with acne as adults. This is because women typically experience more hormonal fluctuations. From menstruation to birth control pills, pregnancy, mild hormonal shifts in your 30s, and perimenopause. Prescription medications, stress, and skin-clogging habits can also lead to acne and breakouts.
We explore the most common skin-clogging habits in Myth #6.
It May Not Be Acne
Be mindful that what looks like acne isn’t always acne. For example, many athletes develop contact dermatitis from their chinstrap, helmet, or athletic gear. It looks like acne, but it’s caused by friction. There are a variety of other dermatological conditions that can look like acne. If what you think is acne is extremely red, inflamed, irritated, or isn’t responding to salicylic acid or other acne treatments—it’s time to visit a dermatologist.
Your condition may be:
- Chloracne
- Contact dermatitis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Keratosis pilaris
- Perioral dermatitis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Rosacea
- Or other skin conditions
Fact: Acne can arise, continue, and ebb and flow at any age. Visit a dermatologist to discuss your prescription dermatological options. Reach out to Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa to discuss aesthetic treatments that fade acne scars and smooth acne pockmarks.
Myth #6 Not Washing Your Face Causes Acne
This is one of the most popular acne-related skincare myths, but the truth is nuanced. If you skip washing your face one night, it’s unlikely that you’ll wake up with acne. If you frequently skip washing your face, your skin is likely to break out. Especially if you continue to sleep on your sweat, oil, makeup, and bacteria-ridden pillowcase. If it’s faster and easier, keep pre-moistened facial wipes in your bathroom.
When you consistently don’t wash away the grime of the day, your pores will become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria. If your clogged pores are self-imposed, you may be able to quickly resolve your acne or breakout.
The top causes of self-imposed clogged pores are:
- Sleeping in your makeup.
- Frequently touching your face.
- Exfoliating less than 2 to 3 times a week.
- Using a dirty pillowcase, smartphone, or headgear.
- Sports and activities that generate prolonged sweat.
- Hairstyles that expose your skin to haircare products.
- Using skincare products that aren’t noncomedogenic.
- Using harsh skincare products that strip your skin.
- Using dirty makeup sponges, applicators, and brushes.
Fact: While you should wash your face every morning and evening to remove sweat, oil, skincare products, and makeup—skipping one night probably won’t cause acne.
Myth #7 You Must Use Full Product Lines
Many marketing messages perpetuate skincare myths. Whether we’re speaking of anti-aging skincare products or makeup, skincare must be personalized. This might mean you use a face wash from one beauty brand, a serum from another, and a moisturizer from a third product line. Or that you only like one makeup brand’s foundation, lipstick, or lash products—but nothing else.
Whether you purchase products over the counter, in cosmetic stores, or online, the full product line will be suggested. Even if 1 or 2 products work great, it’s unlikely that the full line will meet all your skincare and cosmetic needs.
Fact: Skincare must be personalized for your evolving skincare needs and aesthetic objectives. Prioritize ingredients and results, not the skincare or cosmetic brand.
Myth #8 That Skincare Products Are Lifelong
It can take years to find the perfect combination of skincare products. This might include minor changes for winter and summer. Once you invest the time and money in identifying what works, you may think you’re set for life. This is a myth.
You’ll need to upgrade your anti-aging skincare products no less than every 10 to 15 years until at least your 50s. In addition to making a few changes for the weather, you’ll also need to make personalized changes.
Fact: Beyond natural anti-aging, you may struggle with a range of skin conditions over your lifetime. You must adjust your skincare products accordingly. Once you find what works for you, continue to test new products based on ingredients and results, not current trends.
#9 You Can’t Reverse The Signs of Aging
Aging is inevitable, and we advocate for aging with grace! We also understand that ageism is real and that you want to look as amazing as you feel. Beyond upgrading your anti-aging skincare products, we encourage you to explore your options in non-surgical aesthetic treatments. If you’re new to medical spa skincare treatments, your options may surprise you. The sooner you begin, the more likely we can reverse and slow natural aging.
Fact: Medical spa treatments are scientifically proven to treat conditions ranging from fine lines to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, skin laxity, volume loss, and more. You’ll still look like you but rejuvenated.
#10 At-Home Skincare Devices Are Safe and Effective
Warning: potentially dangerous skincare myth. There’s a growing range of electronic skincare devices that you can purchase online. Most market themselves as just as effective as med spa options, but in most cases this isn’t accurate. For example, you can access an impressive range of red light therapy masks and devices. However, online radio frequency, laser therapy, and microneedling devices aren’t medical grade.
Fact: Some at-home skincare devices deliver results, but it’s unlikely that they’ll be as effective. Most importantly, they aren’t regulated, and some aren’t safe to use.
Beyond Skincare Myths: Let’s Discuss Your Aesthetic Objectives
If chronic acne, hyperpigmentation, or the signs of aging are negatively impacting your confidence—we invite you to schedule an aesthetic consultation with Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa.
We offer a range of non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments that are scientifically proven to deliver results. Let’s explore which options will rejuvenate your skin and restore your confidence!
For your convenience, we have locations in Glendale, Tempe, and Phoenix.
