1. Myth: Popping a pimple makes it fade.

   Fact: Let’s face it, it’s tough to resist the temptation to pop a pimple, especially when there’s hope that it’ll instantly go away. But the opposite usually happens: Your face becomes inflamed and irritated. That’s because popping promotes inflammation, which can cause scarring and more pimples, board-certified dermatologist Sandy Johnson, M.D., tells WebMD. If you must pop, at least use the right technique. Learn more about good practices here.

2. Myth: Expensive skincare equals higher-quality ingredients.

   Fact: Not necessarily! Oftentimes, you’re paying for fancier packaging, fragrance and feel. But how do you know when to save and when to splurge? Your not-so-secret weapon is the ingredients label. For instance, you’ll find the acne-fighting ingredient benzoyl peroxide in a variety of products at the drugstore and the department store. You’re better off trying an inexpensive drugstore brand.

   Some ingredients, though, are expensive to bottle. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., suggests splurging on antioxidant serums. She writes on her Yahoo! Health blog: “The best ones have been packaged properly - which is an expensive process. Look for ones in an amber or aluminum tube (or jar) with a small mouth that does not allow air in.” Her picks for powerful antioxidants? Vitamin C and ferulic acid. If you’d like to sample an antioxidant-rich product, consider SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which features vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid to neutralize free radicals and protect the skin.

3. Myth: The higher the SPF, the more protection you get.

   Fact: SPF, or the Sun Protection Factor, measures a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays, which are the rays that cause skin to redden. So does sunscreen with SPF 30 provide double the protection of SPF 15?

   Actually, this is a common myth. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the reality looks like this: SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays; SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. Sunscreen isn’t additive, either. Putting on sunscreen with SPF 15 over a lotion with SPF 30 doesn’t equal SPF 45.

   While SPF is an important factor when buying sunscreen, it doesn’t protect against UVA rays. Even though these rays don’t cause sunburn like UVB rays, they’re still dangerous. For starters, UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging, including wrinkles, sagging and discoloration. Worse, they exacerbate UVB’s damaging effects and cause skin cancer.

   To shield skin from both UVB and UVA rays, find a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum protection” and SPF 15 for everyday exposure (select SPF 30 or higher for longer periods outside). Some ingredients to look for include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, physical ingredients that offer UVA and UVB protection and are gentler on the skin than chemical formulas.

   Buying sunscreen is just one side of the story. Learn more about applying sunscreen here.

4. Myth: I don't need a moisturizer if my skin is oily, or if the weather is warm.

   Fact: When you hear the word “moisturizer,” do visions of oil spills and acne dance in your head? Even if your skin is oily or acne-prone, the right moisturizer for your skin type will keep your skin smooth and supple and provide a protective layer. Some moisturizers will even mattify oily skin and prevent breakouts.

   If you’re already using an acne treatment, a moisturizer is especially important. About’s acne expert, Angela Palmer, points out that moisturizer helps counteract the drying, irritating effects of acne formulas, which contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. To avoid adding more oil, just look for moisturizers with key phrases such as “lightweight,” “oil-free” or “noncomedogenic” (doesn’t clog pores).

5. Myth: Drinking water helps prevent dry skin.

   Fact: No controlled studies have shown that drinking water hydrates the skin. Only one study has ever made the link and it used pricey mineral water and excluded a control group, writes dermatologist Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., on The Dermatology Blog. The main culprits contributing to dry skin are external factors, including “cold or hot air, dry heat and the number of oil-producing glands you have,” writes beauty expert Julyne Derrick on About.

   To combat dry skin, use an exfoliant and moisturizer. An exfoliant gets rid of dead skin cells so skincare products don’t sit on the surface but can actually penetrate and moisturize the skin. (Plus, a collection of dead skin makes your complexion look lifeless and dry.) Use an exfoliant two to three times a week, depending on your skin type. Apply moisturizer on a daily basis, immediately after showering or cleansing to seal in moisture.

6. Myth: Bump-like blemishes mean you’ve got acne — always.

   Fact: Acne is common among adults, but even though your blemishes may resemble acne, you may have an entirely different skin condition. Rosacea is regularly mistaken for acne, as it usually looks like small red bumps and blackheads. But the two are treated differently. Also, over-the-counter acne products can aggravate rosacea, writes Palmer. This makes it imperative to see a dermatologist for the right diagnosis. Rosacea typically occurs in fair-skinned individuals between 30 and 50 years old, according to MedicineNet. See here for more information on rosacea.

7. Myth: Natural or organic products are better than traditional ones.

   Fact: First, let’s dissect how natural and organic skincare products get their labels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates products that are labeled “organic,” which must contain 95 percent organic ingredients. But any company can slap on a “natural” label, whether it really contains all-natural ingredients or includes harsh ingredients and irritants. The same is true for products “made with organic ingredients.” So when you’re searching for a natural or organic product, do your research and be sure to choose a product from a reputable company. Your best bet is to bypass the advertising claims and go straight to the ingredients label. Learn how to read a product label here.

   Also, bypass the scary hype surrounding chemical preservatives, like parabens, and sodium laurel sulfate (SLS). Some companies tend to vilify these ingredients so you avoid them in favor of a natural or organic brand. However, products with parabens and SLS aren’t dangerous. For some people, particularly those with sensitive skin, these ingredients can be irritating. If you’ve got sensitive skin, here’s a how-to on caring for your complexion.

   Also, organic and natural products can still contain ingredients that cause irritation and allergies. Irritating ingredients include witch hazel, peppermint and lavender oil. And traditional ingredients can work wonders: Retinoids are incredibly effective at reducing wrinkles, treating acne and repairing sun damage. They can dry out and irritate the skin but they’ve got years of research to back up their safety and efficacy.

   All in all, before you start avoiding a certain ingredient or investing in a specific product, do your homework.

8. Myth: You don’t need to put on sunscreen if you’re wearing makeup with SPF.

   Fact: Though makeup that contains SPF is a nice supplement to sunscreen, it should never replace it. You’d have to pile on quite the heap of cosmetics to attain the SPF. “You need to use seven times the normally used amount of foundation and 14 times the normally used amount of powder to get the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) on the label,” Dr. Baumann tells WebMD.

9. Myth: Moisturizers prevent aging.

   Fact: Whether it’s a rich, velvety cream or a high-end, heavily advertised, fancy-packaged product, moisturizers aren’t automatically anti-aging; they don’t protect against premature aging or repair it, renowned dermatologist Nelson Lee Novick, M.D., tells Skincare-News.

   If you’re looking for anti-aging ingredients in your moisturizer, seek out antioxidants that fight off free radicals, such as vitamin C, ferulic acid, coenzyme Q10 and idebenone. Also, look for other effective anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and peptides. Consult your dermatologist about a prescription for retinoids, which truly are powerful anti-agers.

   Though you won’t get anti-aging advantages from your moisturizer, it’s still a key part of your routine. “Moisturizers are necessary to keep the skin supple,” Dr. Novick says.

10. Myth: All your products should be from the same skincare line.

    Fact: That’s simply, “not true,” Dr. Baumann, who’s also the author of The Skin Type Solution, tells Skincare-News. Specifically, “You need to know your skin type and what ingredients to look for. You should have ingredient loyalty, not brand loyalty.”

Not sure if a specific skincare tip is folklore or fact? Got a beauty habit you’re on the fence about? Send us an email at info@skincare-news.com and we’ll be happy to investigate it!

See also:

6 Great Essential Oils for Your Skin

Your Guide to a Natural-Looking Sunless Tan

Powder: The Finishing Touch

Philosophy Product Review

5 Beauty Tricks for Flawless Fair Skin