It might seem vain, but the way your skin looks matters. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it! Which is why people spend so much money on their skin — it matters! But spending hundreds of dollars on fancy products and going to the dermatologist once a month isn’t going to do anything if you still believe these 11 skin myths:
You Get Acne From Not Washing Your Face Enough
There are a number of reasons for why your skin might be breaking out. Skipping out on washing your face might not be the best thing to do but it, alone, isn’t going to be the reason for your acne. Breakouts are caused by clogged pores, bacteria, and dirt. You should definitely wash your face but, odds are, something more serious is going on with your skin if you break out simply from forgetting to cleanse in the afternoon.
“Chemical-Free” Ingredients Are Better For Your Skin
The words “chemical-free” might make you want to buy a product. But keep in mind, that doesn’t mean you should. Everything depends on the person. Chemical free ingredients might work on someone else’s skin, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to work for your skin. It’s all about trial and error and talking to a skin care professional before making any purchases. Organic products might seem like a safe choice but even those non-chemical ingredients can do damage, depending on your skin type.
Expensive Skincare Products Are Better
Once again, it’s all about the person. There are definitely expensive skincare brands out there that have saved people’s skin. But there are also cheap brands that have done the same thing. It’s important to experiment, listen to your skin, and read ingredients before buying anything. You don’t want to make purchases simply because the price tag is impressive.
You Don’t Need Eye Cream Until You’re Older
You only need to worry about aging skin when you’re older, right? Wrong! It’s too late to worry about sagging skin and wrinkles when you’re in your 40s or 50s. You need to do something about it now. Using products that keep the skin tight, like Vitamin C and eye cream, when you’re in your 20s or even late teens will help the aging process.
Sunscreen Isn’t That Important
For some reason, people don’t understand the importance of sunscreen. It’s incredibly critical for protecting your skin from the harshness of the sun. Even if you don’t have acne, acne scars, or wrinkles, the sun will eventually do damage over time. It’s important to be proactive! And don’t just rely on the SPF in your moisturizer or makeup, you need a tube of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50.
Your Skin Is Going To Purge With A New Product
Do you know what skin purging is? It’s when your skin starts purging dirt, debris, and other bacteria build-up that’s been clogged in your pores which causes breakouts. Contrary to what you might think, not every new product you try is going to cause purging. Typically, products with exfoliating acids (AHA’s and BHA’s) will cause purging; salicylic acid, retinoids, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.
If you started a new skin care product that doesn’t contain purging ingredients, and you start to break out in places you’ve never experienced acne before, you’re not purging — you’re breaking out and you should probably stop using that new product.
Junk Food Causes Acne
You’ve probably heard this one before, right? Well, it’s not exactly true. Eating junk food might not be the best thing for your health but it’s not going to directly cause acne. However, there is a link between high-glycemic foods (aka carbohydrates) and breakouts. If you have acne prone skin, you might notice a flare up after eating foods that are high in carbs. Do your best to steer clear of carbohydrates when possible.
Exfoliating Is Good For Your Skin
Don’t believe all those Instagram influencers who constantly talk about the power of exfoliating! They’re not talking to everyone. If you have sensitive skin, exfoliating is one of the worst things you can do. Scrubbing and letting heavy duty masks rest on your face can weaken your skin and cause breakouts.
You Should Use Products From The Same Brand
Honestly, I believed this one for a while! You might think you have to buy products from the same brand to get the best results, but you don’t. It turns out, companies market their products that way so they can bring in the big bucks! Shocking, isn’t it? There’s nothing wrong with buying a brand’s cleanser, toner, and lotion but don’t be afraid to branch out.
Facials Are Key To Perfect Skin
Not really! In fact, facials can wreak havoc on your skin. Most facials actually cause irritation, which is why people with completely normal skin notice breakouts after getting one. Not to mention, facials typically remove the top layer of skin which works as a barrier. If you don’t have that barrier, your skin is going to be more exposed to the harsh elements and more likely to break out.
Makeup Is Horrible For Your Skin
Not necessarily! Sure, there are makeup brands that can hurt your skin. But once again, it depends on the brand and the skin. Quite a few makeup brands produce “non-comedogenic” items, which means they don’t clog pores. Most people with sensitive and acne-prone skin pick those products and have amazing results. However, non-comedogenic products can still do damage. It’s all about trial and error. Pay attention to your skin and watch how it reacts to different brands.