5 Common Skincare Myths You Should Stop Believing

The world of skincare is full of opinions and confusing facts. Whether it’s advice from social media, friends, or even grandma, myths about skincare spread quickly. And when you’re young and new to skincare (or parenting someone new to skincare) it can be hard to weed out the truth from the false claims. Let’s explore some common myths and why they aren’t as accurate as you’re led to believe. 

Myth 1

“If you have oily skin, skip moisturizer—because you already have enough oil.”

This is a common misconception, that having oily skin means that your skin is moisturized and you don’t need to use any extra moisturizer. It's actually the complete opposite! Skipping moisturizer can lead to even more oily skin because the skin overproduces sebum in order to combat dryness. Too much sebum can clog the pores and trap contaminants, which of course leads to breakouts. Reaching for a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer is your best bet when dealing with oily skin!

Myth 2 

“You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days or when you’re mostly indoors.”

This misconception can lead to sun damage and premature aging. UV rays can in fact penetrate clouds and even windows, including UVA rays that contribute the most to sun damage. So even if it doesn’t feel very sunny, an SPF sunscreen is crucial to your skin’s health. We love Girlyish Skincare’s clean mineral Sunscreen for daily use!

Myth 3 

“Natural ingredients are always safer / better than synthetic ones.”

This is a common myth that you’ll want to be careful with, because it’s not that simple! Just like with any ingredient, you need to look at what the ingredient actually is instead of just going based on “natural” vs “synthetic”. Some plants used for these ingredients are allergens to many people, and things like essential oils can sometimes be at an irritating concentration level. Safety depends on the ingredient itself and how it's formulated. Natural can be great-just don’t make the mistake of reaching for the natural label before verifying what’s actually in it!

Myth 4

“You can permanently shrink your pores.”

Unfortunately, the size of your pores is mostly determined by genetics and not something you can just change with a serum or toner. While excess sebum, hormones, aging, and sun exposure can make your pores look bigger, you can’t physically shrink their base size. Many products can help reverse and heal the issues that caused your pores to visibly appear larger, but you need constant upkeep and awareness of those issues. One-time fixes are, unfortunately, a myth. 

Myth 5 

“If it burns or tingles, that means it’s working / it’s powerful, so it's better.”

This can be very harmful, as burning, stinging, and tingling are actually indicators that your skin is having an allergic reaction or is very irritated. It can also be a sign that you are overusing products, or are using too many active ingredients. There is no evidence that these sensations can be a reliable indicator of a product's effectiveness. Using products that cause irritation or allergic reactions can weaken your skin barrier over time and increase its sensitivity to more products. So if you’re feeling anything more than a slight or mild tingling, it's time to adjust your routine. 

Avoid Myths For Safe Skin

The rise of social media has contributed to myths being more prevalent. Many people repeat what they hear without verifying its accuracy, and it keeps spreading from there. Additionally, well-meaning family members and friends may have learned something before scientists and doctors had as much research about skin health, and those ideas stick around long after the data has proven otherwise. Remember to talk to a dermatologist and explore peer-reviewed sources to get the most accurate and up-to-date skincare facts!