8 Skin Care Myths Busted

Breakouts are never a thrilling experience. While you follow a regular skin care routine that suits you best, there are certain widespread skin care myths you might still be misled with. That said, don’t risk having another breakout episode by believing any of these 8 skin care lores:

1: Washing your face with a powerful cleanser is vital

A harsh cleanser might just be the culprit in removing your skin’s natural moisture. Board-certified dermatologist, Sandy Johnson, tells WebMD that “When you scrub your face, you’re taking off some of the protective oils and barriers, which tends to lead to rashes and even burns.”

Contrary to this skin care myth, it’s actually best to use a gentle facial cleanser to prevent irritation.

2: Acne will be gone with regular facials

Sad news: Facials can actually cause acne breakouts in 80% of people, according to a recent study from India reported by WebMD

“Like microdermabrasion, which merely sloughs off the top layer of skin, they are a complete and total waste of money,” says Dr. Leslie Bauman, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Group, to WebMD. She further added that it’s “a complete total waste of money” as it only sloughs off the top layer of skin.

3: Very hot water can open pores and keep them clear

Hot water can actually dehydrate the skin, says esthetician Dawn Gantt in Bioelements. She added that it can even “cause or trigger existing sensitivity, produce distended capillaries, and even cause your skin to overproduce oil as a defense mechanism.” Word of advice: Lukewarm water is sufficient for facial cleansing.

4: Fight skin problems with a LOT of products

Patience is the key. Barbara R. Reed, a dermatology professor, told WebMD that “Sometimes the products can cause irritation of the skin and add further insult to the owner.” This happens when people add one product to another and do not wait for results. Products should be applied one at a time.

5: Popping a pimple helps it heal more quickly.

Johnson told WebMD that releasing the pus might feel really good, but it just goes in deeper. She said, “When it goes in deeper, it causes more inflammation that can lead to scarring and spread under the skin. That’s why you’ll get another one a few days later close to the first one.”

6: It’s good to treat pimples with toothpaste

Answer: It’s not. Dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto told Good Housekeeping that “There are no ingredients in toothpaste that make this method more effective than conventional treatments and over-drying and even burning can occur on skin from applying it to pimples,”

7: You can scrub away acne by rigorously exfoliating

Exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and excess oil, but irritation can happen when you attack your face with a harsh exfoliant. This skin care myth can even lead to scarring if one is aggressive with exfoliation. 

8: There’s a standard way for skin care

A product that works for a celebrity endorser, your friend or co-worker may not necessarily work for you. Remember: We all have different skin types, therefore we have different skin care needs. Your skin is unique, that’s why it’s important to identify if you have combination, dry or oily skin – and that’s how you choose products that suit you well.

Source: Insider