With the emergence of social media, many self-proclaimed skincare experts spread bizarre hacks, dos, and don’ts. What is true or not? Here are six common skincare myths debunked.
#1 Apply skincare on damp skin
It is a widespread misconception about skin care. When applied to skin that is moist, the skincare products that we offer are more effective. Myth or actual occurrence? In order to be effective, skincare products require humectants, yet their formula already contains an adequate amount of water. The ratio of water to cream in a serum is approximately 80:70. It is more of a placebo than a scientific practice to spray the face before applying skincare products. Because more water is lost through evaporation when the products are used on damp skin, the skin could feel more hydrated afterward; however, this does not make the skincare any more effective.
#2 Never rub skincare in, pat
It became a big deal for beauty gurus: never rub skincare in, pat it. Rubbing in skincare would stretch the skin and damage it. Accurate? Not so much. If it is better to pat dry than rub a towel on the skin, the pat/rub difference with skincare is negligible. The most important is to be gentle when applying skincare.
#3 Cleansers don’t matter
Many people believe using a cleanser won’t make any difference. It is a myth. A cleanser is crucial in a beauty routine and should be picked carefully. There is nothing worse than a too-harsh cleanser. Aggressive chemicals cause the skin to produce even more sebum to restore its protective barrier. It can mess up the whole routine, even if the other products are high-quality and effective.
Cleansers’ pH is crucial, especially for acne-prone skin. The skin feeling after washing is the best test to know if a cleansing product is mild enough. If it is tight and uncomfortable, the product is too harsh. If the skin is comfortable, it is gentle enough.
A good cleanser does not have to be expensive, as many affordable cleansers are mild and have a pH adapted to sensitive skin.
#4 Blue light is the same as UV light
It is another myth coming from social media. Blue light from electronic devices (phones and computers mostly) is the same as UV light, and we should protect our skin from it.
Electronics produce UV, but in a much lower concentration than the sun or UV beds. Even with a big computer screen, it would take months to get the same amount of UV light as 15 minutes out in the sun.
If we could tan from the screen light, everyone would know it!
Skincare myths #5 Moisturizers dry out the skin
Social media, especially TikTok, are full of skincare myths. Here is one more: moisturizers dry out the skin. It all started when a “dermatologist” on TikTok stated that water evaporates on the skin after a shower or when applying lotion would make the water in the skin evaporate too.
Of course, it is not how water works. Showering too often may dry out the skin because it removes the skin’s protective barrier, as soap and hot water wash out the skin’s lipids. It is crucial to help your skin restore it with a moisturizing lotion.
#6 Sunscreen damage reefs
This one is not wholly false, but the correct way to address it is not to stop using sunscreen at the beach. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are sunscreen ingredients that damage reefs and were banned in Hawaii. Happily, there are many effective sunscreens that do not contain those ingredients, so they do not damage reefs.
Protecting the skin against UVA and UVB is crucial to avoid skin cancer and aging.