There’s a lot of misinformation out there so we’ve busted some skincare myths for you. Image via Adobe Stock.
The skincare industry is saturated with vast amounts of information that it can sometimes be hard to know what the truth is. It can feel like there are new ‘rules’ every week, telling us what we should and shouldn’t do when it comes to our skin. To make matters worse, the industry is also rife with misleading and unsubstantiated claims from brands trying to get you to buy their products. Manufacturers are often quick to shout about the benefits of their products but are less revealing when it comes to common skincare mistakes or how their products might be affecting your skin in a negative way. Add to that the plethora of old wives’ tales that have been circulating for years and it’s easy to understand why so many of us might be confused when it comes to what you should really be doing. So, we had a chat with Biologi‘s founder and cosmetic chemist Ross Macdougald and asked him to debunk some of the most common skincare myths and here’s what he had to say.
Myth #1 – Only older people need anti-ageing products
Our skin is our bodies largest organ and therefore needs to be cared for and maintained, just like we would our own fitness. The reality is, the younger you are when you start doing this, the better you’re going to age. Unfortunately, as we get older our collagen levels start to deplete (they drop by 1% to 2% every year) until the age of 50 when we have very little collagen left. The best way to combat the ageing process is by implementing natural skincare products into your routine that will boost collagen production. If you only do this later in life, your collagen production has slowed right down and your skin can be much more difficult to repair.
Myth #2 – Budget skincare products are just as effective as expensive ones
This is completely false. Always remember that quality costs money and if a product is cheap, it’s usually because it has been made from cheap ingredients. Cheap ingredients typically can be harmful to the skin and could pose risks in the long run. If you’ve ever tried a cheap sheet mask and felt a tingling sensation, then it’s likely you’ve experienced the effect cheap ingredients can have on your skin. That sensation is usually because your skin is reacting to the harmful ingredient and doing damage. Using products that are not natural or organic can pose long term risks to your skin because of the exposure to toxins and preservatives.
Myth #3 – The harder I scrub, the cleaner my skin
Scrubbing your skin too hard with abrasive products strips the outer layers of your skin and tears away the natural oils that your skin needs to regenerate. Exfoliation should always be a gentle process and the best way to do this is by using an enzyme exfoliation that is more delicate on the skin. Harsh scrubs can send skin cells into a state of metaphorical panic so they start over-producing oils to compensate which could lead to acne.
Myth #4 – Sunscreen in my makeup is enough protection
Sunscreens in foundations and creams usually have a lower level of SPF so doesn’t apply the kind of protection your skin needs. For it to be as effective as a sunscreen alone, you’d need to keep reapplying it! At Biologi we always recommend applying a high-quality sunscreen specifically formulated for the face with an SPF of 50 prior to applying your make up.
Myth #5 – Acne is caused by not washing your face
Acne is usually caused by hormones and can be aggravated by a myriad of things ranging from your diet through to the products used. While the inflammatory skin condition may result in pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts, it is not caused by dirt. It’s a reaction to the hormones causing the sebaceous glands at the base of hair follicles to overproduce sebum, which can result in blockages.
Whilst proper cleansing with a mild natural cleanser will help to clear away dead skin cells, getting to the cause of acne is usually found by looking at hormone imbalances (not by how often you’ve washed your face). Acne can also occur as hormonal levels change during pregnancy, menopause or when using oral contraceptives.
Myth #6 – Natural skincare doesn’t work
The term ‘natural’ in skincare is unfortunately for some associated with not working, however, this isn’t the case. Natural skin care products are effective if you use products made from natural ingredients that are 100% active. Adding synthetics to naturally derived products to make them work can render them ineffective which is why this myth has held so much weight over the years.
Myth #7 – Tight skin is clean skin
This is a common myth that stems back to people feeling like tight skin is thoroughly cleansed. However, it is actually the opposite! Tight skin is a sign that you’ve over-cleansed and stripped the skin of the natural oils that encourage hydration. The tightness you might feel is simply a sign that your skin needs external hydration to function in its natural state. To combat this, try to keep showers cool and use natural serums to promote the skin’s natural hydration processes.