The Battle for Beautiful Skin
It seems like everywhere you look there’s a new online skincare guru, each one telling you the ins and outs of the best routines—routines that just happen to cost hundreds of dollars. Don’t worry, we’re here to break down dangerous skincare myths to stop believing and which ones are actually true!
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1. You Only Need Sunscreen on Sunny Days
It’s right there in the name—sunscreen. So, naturally, you’d only need it on sunny days, right? Wrong! UV rays never go away, and they’re particularly dangerous in the wintertime because they reflect off of snow and ice. Keep up with SPF to avoid skin cancer risks and sun damage!
2. You Can Use Wipes Over Cleansers
As convenient as they are, cleansing wipes aren’t suitable replacements for cleansers. Those wipes leave a lot of residue behind and forgoing thorough cleaning brings in all kinds of problems.
3. You Don’t Need Retinol
Too often people wait until a certain age or problem to invest in skincare, leaving important items like retinol by the wayside. However, this miracle product deserves a spot in every routine—it unclogs pores, prevents fine lines, and boosts collagen production.
4. Don’t Moisturize Oily Skin
A common misconception is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer, but ignoring this important step exacerbates the problem! Moisturizing at least twice daily regulates oil production, balancing skin and preventing excess shine. Keep your eyes peeled for water-based or gel moisturizers.
5. Hyperpigmentation is Forever
We have good news and bad news. The bad news is that some discoloration is doomed to stick around. The good news is that you can mend uneven skin tone and dark spots with the right treatment. Many dark spots also fade over time!
6. Eye Creams Don’t Work
With so many eye creams available, it’s easy to assume they won’t live up to their promises. But don’t brush them off so easily! The right eye cream reduces fine lines and wrinkles, brightens dark circles, and reduces puffiness.
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7. You Don’t Need Different Routines
Though you can technically use the same products, different times of day mean different focus areas. Daytime calls for sun protection, cleansing, and unclogging your pores. Nighttime means repair mode, so it’s time to introduce serums and retinol.
8. Stinging Means It’s Working
A popular belief is that stinging products are working products, but burning is actually a sign of skin irritation. If you notice any pain, swap out that cleanser for another!
9. Drinking Water Prevents Dry Skin
Believe it or not, there’s no real evidence suggesting hydration benefits skin. Drinking water is obviously important but it’s not a cure-all for dry skin or wrinkle prevention. Stay hydrated to benefit overall health, not reduce fine lines.
10. Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Oils
They seem like oily skin’s worst nightmare, but the right oil actually balances out your skin. It’s all about balance, so hunt for products that boost moisture and also maintain natural oils.
Now it’s time to pivot away from harmful myths and dive into skincare truths to live by!
1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
A good night’s sleep benefits everything—it reduces stress, lowers our risks for disease, and gives skin enough time to repair. Aim for eight hours so you and your skin can both wake up refreshed.
2. Remove Your Makeup
It’s a herculean task when you’re tired, but makeup removal is crucial for healthy skin. Leaving all that eyeshadow and foundation welcomes bacteria onto your face, leaving you with clogged pores, breakouts, and inflammation.
3. Don’t Pick Your Pimples
Resist the urge! For the love of Mike, resist the urge! Pimples disappear on their own, so it’s important to be patient. Picking only irritates your skin, causes scars, and pushes bacteria back into your face.
4. Pay Attention to Your Skin Type
There’s a reason skincare targets different skin types. It’s best to stick with products that specifically target your problem areas—you won’t benefit from a dry skin cleanser if you have an oily T-zone.
5. Watch the Humidity
It’s no surprise that dry air causes dry skin, but humid air doesn’t do your skin any favors either. Try to keep your home at optimal humidity levels to maintain a healthy glow! You can also use humidifiers or de-humidifiers to strike a better balance.
6. Don’t Skip Toner
While toner isn’t a cure-all product, it’s still an important part of skincare routines. Toners of the past were known to dry out skin by absorbing excess oil, but today’s products actually promote hydration and balance natural oils.
7. You Don’t Need Long Routines
Don’t believe what social media tells you—simple skincare routines are just as effective as those product-peddling pages. It takes a while to find the best stuff, but you don’t need an arsenal of items either.
8. Work Out More Often
Studies show that regular exercise does wonders for the skin, so pick up those weights and work out a couple times a week! You’ll likely see balanced moisture, wrinkle prevention, and overall texture improvement.
9. Don’t Wait for Your First Wrinkle
Some people wait until their 50s before introducing retinol. In all that time, those fine lines and wrinkles creep in, leaving you in a mad dash to turn back the clock. But welcoming retinol to your routine early betters your defenses later in life.
10. Stay Consistent
Like anything worth doing, consistency is key! Don’t stop when you start to see results. Don’t give up if you can’t find the right moisturizer. It’s all about working a routine into your everyday schedule.