Like well-known, passed-down urban legends, skincare fables abound. We're coming clean on common skincare myths so you can learn the best way to care for your skin.
- If I have oily skin, I don’t need to use a moisturizer.
- Why people believe it: Many people mistakenly equate oil with moisture. They think that if skin is oily, then it must have enough moisture — or maybe even too much.
Also, using the wrong moisturizer can make it seem like all moisturizers exacerbate oily skin. Choosing an ill-suited lotion “can be a skin care disaster: greasy feeling skin, blackheads and pimples,” writes skincare expert Angela Palmer for About. So many skip this step altogether, afraid of making their skin even greasier.
- Why it’s not true: Comparing oil to moisture is like comparing apples to oranges. They’re not the same things.
Skin type and moisture level can change based on environmental conditions or fluids consumed, writes Lara Ceroni for Elle Canada. Even oily skin can become drier when humidity is low or you’re dehydrated.
In his book 10 Minutes/10 Years: Your Definitive Guide to a Beautiful and More Youthful Appearance, dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., explains that oily skin still needs moisturizer, because it defends skin from damage and signs of aging. He suggests using a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. Check out SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer — oil-free with a light texture that won’t leave you greasy.
You can also use a combination product containing an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen, suggest Doris Pooser and Suki Duggan in their book, The Essential Guide to Hair, Makeup & Skin Care. For broad spectrum, oil-free sun protection and hydration, spritz on Peter Thomas Roth Ultralite Oil-Free Sunscreen Mist SPF 15.
- Cream can penetrate skin and replace lost collagen.
- Why people believe it: Collagen levels in skin naturally decrease as part of the aging process. Consequently, people assume that applying collagen cream will replace collagen levels, leading to fuller and firmer skin.
- Why it’s not true: On Yahoo Health, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., writes that aging and wrinkling occur at the dermis level of skin, which is beneath the outer layer called the epidermis. Unfortunately, Dr. Baumann notes, "There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that collagen...can penetrate the epidermis." Collagen molecules are just too big and as a result can’t reach the necessary level in order to stop aging.
Even creams that claim to use hydrolyzed or broken-down collagen fragments don’t work to firm skin. The collagen pieces from cream can’t mix with your skin’s own natural collagen, according to Dr. G. Todorov of Smart SkinCare.
However, collagen cream can still benefit skin. In fact, collagen works by helping skin retain hydration. For an excellent option, try Kinerase Cream, containing soluble collagen. As an added bonus, it aids blotchy or sun-damaged skin.
- Exfoliation is damaging to skin.
- Why people believe it:
Because exfoliation removes skin, people think it’s harmful or somehow makes skin more vulnerable. Also, some people make the mistake of exfoliating too often, irritating their skin ‐ so, they stop exfoliating altogether.
- Why it’s not true:
Ceroni points out in Elle Canada that exfoliation provides many benefits for your skin, including moisturization and evening out skin tone. Also, Dr. Todorov notes that our outer layer of dead, dry skin cells can prevent skincare ingredients from penetrating and working properly.
Exfoliation removes those dead, dry cells and "enhances the absorption of active skin care ingredients," he writes. The key is to look for gentle scrubs like L’Occitane Olive Harvest Olive Face Scrub Mud.
- As long as I don’t get sunburned, I’m not susceptible to sun damage or skin cancer.
We know there’s a correlation between those red, peeling sunburns and skin cancer — KidsHealth warns that melanoma "is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns." Consequently, we sometimes think that sun exposure is OK if we don’t burn. Plus, in today’s culture, having a tan is considered attractive, so many of us flock to beaches and tanning beds to get a bronzed glow.
Why it's not true: As you step outside — even for a quick minute — you’re immediately exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Although UVB rays cause burns, you still need to watch out for UVA rays, which can also cause sun damage and skin cancer.
In fact, says Martin Weinstock, M.D., chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Skin Cancer Advisory Group, "The more sun you get, the more likely you are to develop certain skin cancers," and this applies to all skin tones, whether you’ve got tanned skin or not, according to the CNN article.
To protect your skin, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as DDF Moisturizing Photo-Age Sunscreen SPF 30, every day to reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
- Natural skincare products are always better for skin.
One reason is our increasingly eco-conscious society. We use many natural and organic products — such as food or cleaning supplies — that are free of chemicals or preservatives. We also assume that synthetic or chemicals are more likely than natural ingredients to harm skin.
Why it’s not true: In an About article, family practice physician Heather Brannon, M.D., explains that when it comes to "natural" products, guidelines often vary. There are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes "natural."
According to Dr. Brannon, even if a product uses natural ingredients, this "does not mean that it is better for the skin than a product created in a lab." For instance, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s gentler on your skin. Jolene Edgar writes in Allure that even natural ingredients, like certain plant or fruit extracts, can irritate skin.