Top Skincare Myths Debunked

Skincare can be somewhat confusing.

Do you feel that there are so many variations of what is right and wrong in skincare, that you don't even know where to start?

Or that you are told one version on how to use (or not use) your skincare by one professional and told a complete different version by another?

Don't feel too deflated! Here are a few skincare myths that I am going to debunk for you!

Myth #1

"You only need to cleanse your skin once a day"

Fact: This myth is BUSTED! We actually need to cleanse our skin TWICE a day - morning and night.

It's essential to cleanse your skin at night to get rid of all the pollution, dirt and grime accumulated throughout the day.

During the night, our skin goes through the repairing and rejuvenation stage. It secretes oil, sweat and other impurities.

That's why we also need to cleanse in the morning, to start the day with a clean canvas before applying any serums or moisturiser on the skin.

If you don't cleanse your skin in the morning, your products won't be absorbed properly and can even clog the oil or impurities secreted during the night into your pores - which then causes bacteria, ultimately leading to those nasty breakouts!

On that note... Do I need to double cleanse at night?

Absolutely! Double cleansing is a ritual you should incorporate into your nighttime skin routine. The first cleanser will remove makeup and a bit of the pollution and dirt you've accumulated during the day. The second cleanser is what actually will flush out the pores, deeply cleanse and prepare the skin to receive the full benefits of your serums and nighttime targeted treatments.

Myth #2:

"I don't need to wear sun protection when it's cloudy and not sunny"

Fact: You need to wear sun protection all year round, regardless of the weather, hail, or shine! Not only does sun protection protect you from skin cancers but also helps your skin from ageing.

Myth #3:

"I can use my moisturiser as an eye cream"

Fact: No, we can not! The under-eye area is very delicate and thinner than the rest of your face, which is the reason a face moisturiser is not targeted as only an anti-ageing treatment and will not prevent the signs of ageing in the eye area.

When it comes to serums, most face serums have strong ingredients that can cause stinging, burning, or irritation if applied to the eye area.

On the other hand, an eye cream is formulated specifically to target certain skin concerns using a particular delivery system that ensures the ingredients are absorbed into the skin around the eyes effectively.

Myth #4:

"Over the counter cosmetics and cosmeceutical skincare products are the same"

Fact: They are not considered the same. Over-the-counter skincare from supermarkets or the chemist is only working on dead skin. That's because those products can only penetrate the first layer of the skin - the Stratum Corneum of the epidermis. The percentage of active ingredients in these products is low and they are generally full of fillers or other nasty ingredients.

Whereas cosmeceutical skincare products work on live tissue, where they can make a change within your skin to give a result. They penetrate right to the dermis to make this change. They have a higher percentage of active ingredients and a scientific formulation that makes these active ingredients stable and a delivery system that gives your skin the best results.

Myth #5:

"Foamy cleansers make your skin dry or strip the skin"

Fact: This is not always the case, it depends on the brand of skincare you purchased your foamy cleanser from. Many foamy cleansers have sulfate or parabens and other nasty ingredients that can irritate and dry out the skin.

What you should look for is a cleanser that is close to the pH of your skin, which is between 4.5-5.5 - it won't strip the skin, but keep it in a healthy state.

Myth #6:

"Drinking water will help my dehydrated skin"

Fact: Drinking water is important for your overall health, but there is no scientific evidence that drinking extra water will fix your dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin is triggered by external factors like lifestyle and environment. Having adequate skincare tailored to your skin hydration will help boost your hydration levels within your skin, whereas drinking litres of water will just make your body flush out the water naturally more frequently.

Myth #7:

"Your should exfoliate your skin every day"

Fact: Every skin needs help to slough off those dead skin cells with exfoliants, but if we're not careful, we might end up overdoing it. Over exfoliation can lead to further skin concerns like sensitivity and dryness, so as it might cause your skin to overproduce sebum. The amount of times we should exfoliate per week varies according to skin type. Exfoliating is an important step in our skin routine but I recommend receiving a skin consult by your Skin Therapist to know how many times a week you need to exfoliate your skin.

Myth #8:

"I can shrink my pore size"

Fact: I have good and bad news for you here. The bad news is that no, you can’t make your pores shrink or disappear completely. Your pores are part of your genetic makeup. However, they can become enlarged due to excess oil, dirt, dead skin cells and incorrect product use. That's where the good news come in: you can help minimise the appearance of your pores with the use of exfoliants with acids, Vitamin A serums, or clay absorbing masks.

Also read: How to Make My Pores Smaller?

Myth #9:

"Serums are just extra money-making for skincare brands"

Fact: Serums are the corrective part of your skincare routine! They are used to treat a particular skin concern - such as Acne, Ageing or Dehydration. Serums are highly beneficial in your skincare routine. Serums are full of active ingredients that are designed to deliver its benefits deeper into the skin due to its lighter consistency. They are formulated with ingredients that have smaller molecule structures allowing them to be easily and quickly absorbed into the skin. Serums can improve the overall appearance of your complexion by targeting areas other skincare products may not be able to reach.

Also read: Why is the pH of Your Skin Important?

If you have any questions regarding your skincare routine, products or any other skincare myth you want to debunk, Book a Complimentary Skin Consult here - one of our experienced Skin Therapists will be happy to help you!

My name is Sari,
I have been in the skincare industry for over 15 years. My passion lies in ‘Health’. Health for the skin and body. My philosophy is if we have good well-being on the inside, then it shows our vitality on the outside.
I have furthered my knowledge of Skin Anatomy, Skin Concerns, and Fitness. I am a true believer in how to make my clients feel their best both inside and out. My emphasis is on guiding my clients through their journey of skin concerns and conditions. I do not like to bandaid a concern or condition but want to get down to the root of the cause. I aim to give personalised consultations with treatment and correct prescribed skin products.