While the focus on nutrition, diet and weight loss has been popular across the globe, the amount of information that’s flooding people has been increasing steadily.
In the midst of this information overload, a new area of interest is skincare. This is part of the general anti-aging movement, funded by big players in related and unrelated fields. One of the problems you may encounter in this situation is examining, sifting through, and evaluating the overwhelming amount of information being presented to you.
An unfortunate consequence is the rise of a condition known as dermorexia – a new term that refers to an unhealthy obsession with skincare that could ultimately cause physical, mental and emotional harm.
Social media, print and visual media, private players, qualified healthcare professionals, mom-n-pop businesses and beauty salons have all added to the buzz. Anecdotal examples are touted as facts, and pseudo-science often enters the fray.
Let’s scan the 10 big skincare myths that you have to quit believing in.
Fact Vs Fiction: 10 Skincare Myths Busted
- Candy and Greasy Food Cause Acne, Right?: Wrong! Acne is a combination of genetics, hormonal activity, dead skin, bacteria, and the excess secretion of natural oils in the skin, called sebum. There is no scientific evidence that connects food consumption with acne.
- Natural, Organic is Better than Chemical: Many natural/organic products are not manufactured under rigorous conditions. They could be made at home, without preservatives, and may cause just as many irritations and allergies as chemical products. Their shelf life is limited, and they may attract mold and other microorganisms. Reputed synthetic skincare products undergo thorough testing and are certified by licensed authorities.
- Uber Expensive Products are The Best: Investing in high-end, luxury brands creates a feel-good factor and not much else. Be skeptical of celebrity endorsements, clinicians’ testimonials, or opulent packaging. Your basic skincare routine requires a cleanser, moisturizer and a toner and you can pick up good quality products at your local pharmacy at affordable rates. The best skin care tools aren’t necessarily the most expensive.
- Open and Shut Pores: You’ve probably seen a plethora of products that claim to tighten or shut your unsightly open pores. Genetics controls pore size and appearance. Ice-water or astringents and other cosmeceuticals with fancy scientific labels won’t really change the appearance of skin pores. Instead, do more to keep your skin clean and moisturized.
- Regular Facials and Microdermabrasion Keep You Looking Young: This myth is so persistent that you don’t want to believe it isn’t based on facts. Facials do very little other than make you feel great. Microdermabrasion treatments are not just expensive, they can harm sensitive skins and cause serious damage.
- Sunscreen is only For the Beach: If you believe that sunscreen isn’t necessary on sunless days, you’re mistaken. Whether it’s cloudy or not, the sun sends out UV rays that can harm the skin with excess exposure. So even if it’s winter, or you’re traveling with the windows up, don’t forget your sunscreen.
- You Can Get Addicted To Lip Balm: There’s no evidence that lip balms contain addictive substances. However, they do make you lick your lips excessively, and that can interfere with hydration on your lips due to the digestive enzymes present in saliva. Because your lips dry out faster, you tend to apply more lip balm, giving you the feeling that you’re addicted to lip balm.
- Massage Away Wrinkles: If your beauty salon makes these claims, they’re not factually correct. Skincare massages are touted as being great for improving circulation, promoting collagen and smoothing out fine lines. In reality, all that a skincare massage does is to relax the muscles, and that’s what makes you feel good. The creams, lotions and moisturizers applied during a massage are what give you a temporary glow.
- Aspirin is Great For Skincare: The use of salicylic acid on the skin has been touted as a miracle cure for skin infections such as acne. This has tempted many people to make a paste of aspirin tablets and apply on the face. However, there is very little evidence that this works and people have reported skin inflammation, irritation and redness after trying this at home.
- Drinking lots of Water Keeps your Skin Youthful: Water is great for overall health and hydration, but it has no direct effect on keeping your skin youthful, radiant, elastic or wrinkle free. Instead, you can focus on getting proper sleep, exercise and nutrition, and reduce your stress levels.
