With the constant influx of skin care products, treatments, and never ending advice about how to treat your skin, it can be difficult to find what really works. Below we have compiled 3 myths and 3 facts that you should be aware of when thinking about skin care.
Myth: There’s no need for sunscreen in the fall or winter.
While many think that sunscreen can be left out of their skin care routine during the fall or winter, studies have proven that to be inadvisable. The ultraviolet (UV) rays that are the leading cause of sunburn are not as strong or visible in the cloudy winter days but they still are present. These UV rays can penetrate clouds and result in negative effects on your skin such as fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Final recommendations include applying sunscreen throughout the year regardless of the season.
Fact: Sunscreen prevents aging.
As mentioned above, UV radiation from the sunlight can have various negative side effects. Some health effects of UV radiation include skin cancer, premature aging, skin damage, and eye damage. The ingredients present in physical sunscreen block and scatter the rays to prevent them from penetrating the skin while chemical sunscreen ingredients absorb the rays before they can cause skin damage.
Myth: People with oily skin don’t need to moisturize.
There is a common misconception in which many believe that applying moisturizer on oily skin will add on more oil. The well-established fact is that oily skin also needs to be moisturized. The application of moisturizer will help the skin regulate its oil production. By skipping this step in your skin care routine, your skin will likely produce more oil in order to keep itself hydrated. The key here would be to avoid oil-based moisturizers that can suffocate your skin.
Fact: You can switch skin types.
You may have heard of terms such as “dry, oily, sensitive, or normal” when speaking about skin types. While your skin may be categorized as one of the 4 it’s important to note that skin types may change. According to dermatologists, your skin type may change over time due to environmental factors, age, hormones, and other health related issues. So there’s no need for alarm if you find yourself reaching for products catered for different skin types.
Myth: The more you wash your face the better.
A lot of the time we think that the more we wash our face the healthier it’ll be right? Well that isn’t necessarily always the case. In general, it’s recommended to wash your face in the morning and at night, making it twice a day. For example, when it comes down to acne, more washing isn’t always better. You’ll begin to strip your skin of the naturally produced oils and to compensate your skin will begin to overproduce oils.
Fact: Too much moisturizer is a bad thing.
This may come as a surprise to some, but too much moisturizer can actually yield undesired results. Along with many other things, moisturizer is effective as long as used in small amounts. If too much product is used, it’ll most likely sit on your skin, clog pores, and cause skin complications such as acne. Another side effect could be making your skin dependent on moisturizers for hydration. For the best results, it’s recommended to use a small amount in the morning and evening.