3 weeks ago
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Anyone who has ever tried to improve their skin’s appearance and health knows how overwhelming the sheer volume of skincare advice can be. Should you exfoliate daily? Does a burning sensation mean a product is working? Does vitamin E make scars fade?
With so much conflicting information, it’s easy to feel confused. To help clear up common skincare myths, let me share with you the definitive answers to some of the most frequently asked skincare questions and debunk common beauty myths:
Pimples can be shrunk using toothpaste. A lot of people still cling to the idea that a dab of toothpaste on a pimple can help dry it out. While it is always handy when a product can pull a double duty, toothpaste is not meant for the skin as it contains foaming agents and abrasives – and will do nothing for pimples. Treat breakouts with products formulated just for acne.
Antibacterial soap is best for keeping your skin clean. Healthy skin naturally hosts a normal flora of microorganisms. Infection occurs when harmful bacteria replace this normal flora because of antibacterial soaps. So it is impossible to keep your skin completely free of bacteria for any amount of time. In fact, many experts are concerned about the use of antibacterial soap as it could lead to more antibiotic-resistant bacteria (the pathologic flora). Antibacterial soap is not necessary for everyday use. Regular soap is fine. Thorough and consistent handwashing, not antibacterial soap, is what helps prevent the spread of infection.
Facial creams or ointments must be good if these burn. Pain does not equal gain when it comes to a burning feeling on your face. Some products, such as vitamin C serums and AHAs (alpha hydroxy) and BHAs (beta hydroxy), can give you a slight tingling sensation, but it should not feel like your face is burning. If you apply a product and it feels like your face is burning, remove it immediately.
Vitamin E will make scars fade. There is little evidence to support this claim. Talk to your surgeon or dermatologist if you have concerns about the appearance of a scar. There are so many options for improving the appearance of scars, like exosomes, lasers, botulinum toxin etc. but not vitamin E!
You can skip sunscreen on a cloudy day. You might be tempted to skip sunscreen on a winter day or when it’s cloudy. This is a common misconception but a dangerous one. Sunscreen is meant to be used every day, not just when you’re at the beach as sun damage is cumulative. Always wear sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF every single day, no matter the weather report and the time of year.
The harder you scrub or exfoliate, the better. Exfoliation should be gentle with a physical exfoliant; overdoing it may damage your skin barrier (skin layers).
The more you wash your face, the better. This probably applies to people with oily skin but not to everyone. This is not for everyone as too often can disturb the microbiome of your skin. Twice a day is best: once in the morning to refresh or after your workout and then at night, as soon as you’re home, to remove the free radicals and grime from your day out and about.
Hypoallergenic skincare products are better. The label hypoallergenic means that a product is less likely to cause allergic reactions, and may be gentler on the skin. However, as with terms like natural, there is no lawful definition of what constitutes a hypoallergenic product. They are a mixed bag.
Showers should be short, lukewarm and once a day. This applies to excessively dry skin or those with severe atopy. But if you have normal skin, you may shower as much as you want – just be sure to use a great body cream to ensure your body is hydrated.
You will outgrow breakout acne. Breakout acne can pop up due to hormonal imbalances, genetics or diet, it can also be caused by unclogged pores.
Eating greasy foods causes breakouts. While there’s no evidence to suggest that eating greasy food causes breakouts, studies have found that dairy products and high glycemic foods, such as chips, white rice and baked goods, can trigger it — so diet is certainly a factor.
Breakouts are only a problem during puberty. This affects many of us only in our teenage years; however, people can experience it at any time in their lives. Some lucky folks never experience it at all.
You are breaking out because you don’t wash your face. People who suffer from breakout acne are genetically predisposed to have oilier skin. This causes pores to become blocked more easily, which results in the spots. While washing your face twice a day can certainly help, it’s not the sole cause. Regardless, it’s not always best to cleanse the skin to prevent inflammation.
Rubbing alcohol will “kill” your breakout acne. Infrequent spots can be tamed and resolved with specific products.However, persistent breakout acne is a condition that requires a dermatologist’s attention.
Facial exercises will reduce wrinkles. Lymphatic drainage or massage or electro microcurrent devices are all the rage right now. Anecdotal evidence suggests they can help to ensure your skin is working well, though there’s little clinical research available yet.
You can shrink your pores. The size of your pores is determined by your genetics, so you can’t permanently shrink them. However, with an effective daily cleansing routine, plus applying creams that can regenerate your collagen and elastin or using biostimulators, you can minimize their appearance and make them disappear for as long as you’re maintaining your skin regimen.
Lack of sleep leads to under-eye circles. Sleep deprivation can cause red, puffy eyes, dark circles beneath your eyes, and more wrinkles. It can even cause the corners of your mouth to drop.
You will age faster if you wear makeup regularly. Ensure you have a solid regime to prepare the skin for your makeup application. Hydrated skin is always the best canvas for an artist.
You don’t need to apply an SPF if you have one in your foundation. This is generally true, and you will get some protection from foundations that include SPF. However, separate SPF is still highly recommended. Understanding these myths helps you make informed decisions about skincare and beauty routines. Stick to science-backed practices for healthier skin.
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