Jun 11 , 2021
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SKINCARE MYTHS YOU SHOULD STOP BELIEVING, ACCORDING TO DERMATOLOGISTS
Everyone desires a clear, vibrant skin tone. However, your capacity to distinguish fact from fiction may be more important than how meticulously you follow a cleansing regimen or how much you spend on products in getting there. The truth is that many skincare advice is ineffective, and some skincare misconceptions might even be harmful.
Let's look at the facts behind common skincare advice. According to leading dermatologists from across the country, there are 11 skincare misconceptions you should disregard.
Myth: Drinking water keeps your skin hydrated.
FACT: “There is no evidence that drinking more or less water is beneficial or harmful to your skin,”. While drinking extra water can help with numerous health issues, water does not get absorbed by your skin automatically when you drink it. It hydrates our cells as it passes through the bloodstream and is filtered by the kidneys, which aids in the general hydration of our bodies.
However, if you are severely dehydrated, your skin, as well as the rest of your body, will suffer as a result. Avoiding dry air (or using a humidifier), using a mild cleanser, and using a moisturizer or substances that assist maintain moisture trapped in your skin barrier, such as hyaluronic acid, on a daily basis are the best ways to keep your skin hydrated,” According to Dr. Howard Sobel, founder of Sobel Skin and an attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Myth: Not washing your face causes acne.
FACT: “Hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is caused by oil production, bacteria, clogged pores, and inflammation, with hormones and stress, as well as (to a lesser extent) food, all contributing to the condition. Dr. Peterson Pierre, dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute Westlake Village, California, says that not washing your face won't help your issue, but it won't cause acne either.
Myth: You need to exfoliate your skin.
FACT: “A frequent skincare myth that I constantly hear is that you must exfoliate. Once a month, your skin naturally sheds its surface keratinocytes. Exfoliation does not require the purchase of exfoliators or the use of peels, facials, or dermabrasion. And you don't have to use anything abrasive on your skin to do this since it happens naturally,” stated Dr. Anna H. Chacon, dermatopathologist.
Myth: Natural, botanical skincare products are better for your skin.
FACT: “In dermatology and medicine in general, one of the biggest myths I hear is that natural and organic products are safer. Natural skincare products are frequently unregulated, and they frequently contain botanicals and essential oils that might cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people. I often use organic poison ivy or snake venom as an example because it comes from nature. Dr. Susan Bard, dermatologist at Vive Dermatology Surgery & Aesthetics in Brooklyn, stated that just because something originates from nature doesn't mean it's harmless or non-toxic.
Myth: Eye creams don’t do anything.
FACT: “If an eye cream contains the proper components and is designed for your individual skin conditions, it can provide numerous benefits. If you're concerned about dark circles or puffiness caused by weariness, an eye ointment containing caffeine will help reduce inflammation and brighten your under eyes. Caffeine by itself won't do the trick; it needs to be mixed with smoothing, moisturizing, and brightening chemicals like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol, which can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles while also giving the skin a young appearance, according to Dr. Sobel.
Myth: Wounds need to breathe to heal.
FACT: “There is strong evidence that wounds should be covered and kept moist with petroleum jelly (or Vaseline) to promote healing. Allowing a wound to dry out will result in a crust, which will obstruct wound healing and exacerbate the scar's look. Covering a wound will also assist to keep it from becoming infected.” said Dr. Juliya Fisher, dermatologist at JUVA Skin and Laser Center in Manhattan.
Myth: You don’t need a retinol until age 50.
FACT: “Retinol has long been regarded as the ‘gold standard of skincare,' and it will remain so in the coming year. A retinol can help treat acne, unclog pores, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone by increasing collagen production and skin cell turnover. In order to avoid damage, it is best to begin utilizing retinol in your mid-late twenties. After all, it's much easier to avoid wrinkles than it is to remove them! Slowly incorporate retinol into your daily routine, around two or three times each week. After a few weeks, you should be able to use it virtually every day,” Dr. Sobel stated.
Myth: There’s no need for sunscreen in the fall or winter.
FACT: Many people believe that sunscreen is only needed in the summer, but this is untrue. Sunburn-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays are less intense in the winter, but they are still there. The UV rays that produce fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration are present all year, thus sunscreen should be worn all year. Dr. Debra Jaliman, assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and author of the book "Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist," warned that UV radiation penetrate clouds, so plan on applying sunscreen every day if you plan on being outside.
Myth: Toners are a necessary part of an acne skincare regimen.
FACT: “Acne-prone people are often looking for products to combat their oily skin. Toners are touted as a way to cleanse the skin of excess oil after washing. However, washing with a gentle cleanser and water is adequate to thoroughly cleanse the face. You do not need to skin to be 100-percent squeaky clean and stripped of all its natural oils.
Toners used to be frequently prepared with alcohols, which have drying effects on the skin and promote free-radical damage. Toners with alpha and beta hydroxy acids can help exfoliate the skin and reduce acne breakouts, but these compounds are often already included in acne washes, according to Dr. Donna Hart of Westlake Dermatology in Cedar Park, Texas.
Myth: Exfoliating devices should be used every day.
FACT: Exfoliating devices can be beneficial to your skincare routine, although versions with spinning brush heads can be uncomfortable if overused. I had a patient who used one on a daily basis to deal with oily skin and acne, only to find that it made his skin dry and inflamed. According to Dr. Todd Minars, dermatologist at Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, Florida, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, “devices like these should be used only a couple of times per week for some people, and others can skip them completely, but I would not recommend you using them every day consistently,”