Skin care is essential to looking your best day to day. However, there are many misunderstandings that come along with skin care, partially because of misinformation as well as sneaky advertising by beauty brands. Here are the top ten skin care myths that OROGOLD wants to debunk once and for all.
Higher SPF is better
Higher SPF is not equivalent to better sun protection. Sunscreen needs to protect from both UVA and UVB rays. Generally, sun screen labeled as broad spectrum protects from both. Try to use a daily sunscreen of at least SPF 15 that contains one of the following ingredients: mexoryl, oxybenzone, avobenzone, or titanium dioxide. Even on a cloudy day, UV radiation still reaches the earth’s surface so sunscreen is still required for healthy skin.
Tanning can be safe
Recently, tanning salons have apparently been able to filter out UVB rays, which are the main cause of sun burns. However, tanning beds still use UVA rays which actually penetrate deeper than UVB rays and can be particularly damaging to the skin. Increased exposure to UVA rays can cause aging as well as predispose you to developing skin cancer.
Popping pimples is effective
Popping pimples is a quick and easy way to momentarily get rid of unwanted acne. When you pop pimples, some of the pus actually can go deeper in to the skin which causes spreading and inflammation. Breaking the skin can also cause redness and scarring. If you can’t resist popping pimples, it’s a good idea to invest in a comedone extractor that is supposed to be safer and more hygienic.
Facials and microdermabrasion have lasting effects
Though facials and microdermabrasion treatments are often suggested for healthy skin, there are actually no proven long term benefits for your skin beyond relaxation. In fact, facials are usually suggested as a regular practice to keep up the positive effects on skin.
Anti-aging products work
Anti-aging products that claim to permanently remove wrinkles and fine lines and stop future ones, often are gimmicks . These products often contain hydrating ingredients which makes skin temporarily look plumper, with fewer wrinkles. One of the few ingredients so far that have been scientifically tested and proven to reverse fine lines are topical retinoids, which can increase the turnover rate of cells. There are however, many high quality anti-aging products which can cause the look of aging to be reduced. For example, products that contain vitamin C are known to help brighten the look of skin. New ingredients which can be very beneficial to anti-aging are constantly surfacing however, they require a long time of testing before being able to claim that they are proven to work.
The more natural, the better
Though the concept that natural ingredients are better than synthetics is widely accepted, there is actually no evidence or research that supports this claim. The term ‘natural’ is very loosely used by companies in the skin care market, so knowing your ingredients is more important than them being natural.
Face washing is always healthy
Washing your face with an abrasive soap or scrubbing hard to exfoliate can actually be damaging to your skin rather than beneficial. Strong cleansers strip skin of natural oils and break down the barrier of the skin against dirt and toxins. Instead, use a gentle cleanser, especially ones with a base of coconut oil or glucose.
Skin damage happens less as you get older
It is common belief that most skin damage happens when you are younger than eighteen. However, skin damage continues to happen even as you age. In fact, it is almost more important to protect from sun rays as you age because you become more prone to skin cancer as you get older.
If you get results from a product, you can stop
If you’ve been using a product for a while and finally get the results you want, keep using it. Part of a successful skin care routine is maintenance. Long-term use is the most effective way to achieve and keep results.
Using more products works better
When you use a lot of one product, the product can actually work less efficiently as it does in the intended lower dose. It can also cause irritation and build-up that can lead to breakouts. At the same time, using many different products can cause ingredients from differing items to cancel each other out and reduce effectiveness. When it comes to skincare routines, keeping it simple is best.
