By Petra Trudell, Managing Editor on Friday, May 01, 2015
Are you guilty of falling for these five common skincare myths? Keep reading to learn how to turn your skincare routine around.
Are you guilty of falling for these five common skincare myths? Keep reading to learn how to turn your skincare routine around.
Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated. But with so many products on the market, it’s easy to get confused about how much you really need to do on a daily basis. So today, we’re debunking five of the most common skincare myths and providing simple solutions for healthier skin, head to toe.
Skincare Myth No. 1: Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.
Between electric scrubbing brushes, chemical peels and scrubs, exfoliation is the treatment du jour but exfoliating your skin on a daily basis will do more harm than good. When you rub something rough on the skin, like bristles or a scrub with small beads or use chemicals that remove the top layer of your skin, you can create tiny tears in the skin that can be irritating and actually cause breakouts.
Between electric scrubbing brushes, chemical peels and scrubs, exfoliation is the treatment du jour but exfoliating your skin on a daily basis will do more harm than good. When you rub something rough on the skin, like bristles or a scrub with small beads or use chemicals that remove the top layer of your skin, you can create tiny tears in the skin that can be irritating and actually cause breakouts.
Best Practice: Exfoliate once or twice a week.
If you use a scrub or cleansing brush, only use it one or two times per week to avoid damaging the skin. If you use an at-home chemical peel, limit usage to once a week at most. Professional exfoliation treatments are usually spaced out at least fours weeks between appointments. And always use a rich moisturizer after any exfoliating treatment.
Skincare Myth No. 2: Burning is a good thing.
Maybe it’s because we associate the burning of alcohol or peroxide on a wound with removing dirt that can cause infection, but many believe if a product doesn’t tingle, sting or burn, it didn’t work. Thankfully, this is a myth and if you are using a product that makes you wince, it probably isn’t right for your skin.
Maybe it’s because we associate the burning of alcohol or peroxide on a wound with removing dirt that can cause infection, but many believe if a product doesn’t tingle, sting or burn, it didn’t work. Thankfully, this is a myth and if you are using a product that makes you wince, it probably isn’t right for your skin.
Best Practice: Ditch the alcohol and acid.
Witch hazel and apple cider vinegar make excellent toners that will remove dirt without burning while still controlling oil. An ouch-free way to combat acne is by using tea tree oil or even activated charcoal. Unless it’s a prescription, try avoiding productions that contain alcohol or salicylic acid unless you really need them. If your dermatologist has recommended them to you, try this trick: Apply your moisturizer before your topical medication. Don’t worry it will still absorb and you’ll get all the benefits without the red, sensitive or peeling skin.
Skincare Myth No. 3: Don’t use oil on oily skin.
If you have oily skin, especially if you tend to break out with acne, you probably avoid oil like the plague in your skincare and cosmetics. But not all oil is actually bad for your complexion.
If you have oily skin, especially if you tend to break out with acne, you probably avoid oil like the plague in your skincare and cosmetics. But not all oil is actually bad for your complexion.
Best Practice: Choose argan oil.
Argan oil has been found to naturally balance oily skin and may even reduce and/or prevent breakouts. You can use pure argan oil as a moisturizer in the morning and evening or look for it mixed into other topical products. As with any new product, try it for two weeks to see how your skin adjusts.
Skincare Myth No. 4: Junk food makes you break out.
Your complexion is directly related to what you put into your body. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the occasional sweet.
Your complexion is directly related to what you put into your body. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the occasional sweet.
Best Practice: Now, hear us out on this one. The key is balance. If your diet is predominantly junk food like candy, processed foods, creamy, dairy treats and fried goodies, you do run the risk of waking up with some blemishes. But if you’re getting adequate vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables, you should be OK. Try to limit your intake of these foods as a general best practice for your health and add a green drink or multivitamin to your daily routine.
Skincare Myth No. 5: You only need sunscreen when the sun is out.
Wrong! So wrong. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can be just as damaging on a cloudy day in the fall or winter than they are in the summer. While you’re more likely to get a sunburn during the warmer months, sunscreen is a must year round for absolute protection.
Wrong! So wrong. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can be just as damaging on a cloudy day in the fall or winter than they are in the summer. While you’re more likely to get a sunburn during the warmer months, sunscreen is a must year round for absolute protection.
Best Practice: Follow the shot glass rule.
When shopping for skincare products and makeup, look for those that contain sunscreen. For the rest of your body, filling a shot glass with sunscreen will provide enough to cover you from head to toe. At least make sure any exposed skin is covered and that you reapply throughout the day if you’ll be outside or if you get wet from rain or exercise.
Shop for the best natural skincare products and cosmetics at eVitamins and enjoy your best skin ever.
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