These 12 Myths about Skin Care are about to be Wrecked

AcneLauren Petrullo
Woman applying skin care
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Do you have a skincare routine? Are you an avid shopper in the beauty aisle with all of your favorite brands and products lined up on display? Do you believe every beauty product claim printed on the bottle? Well if so, prepare to have your mind WRECKED!

We're putting our detective hats on and getting ready to seek out and obliterate all those nasty myths that keep us from having the glowing complexion we deserve. From “expert-approved” tips to DIY beauty tricks, it’s time to reveal the truth behind these old wives’ tales. 

So, come along as we figure out which of these common skincare myths are legit or not so much.

Skincare facts and myths: Solid fact or just a scam?

It seems like every day there's a new article, ad, theorist, guru, or product touting the latest and greatest in skincare tips. With so many products being constantly advertised, it's easy to get tricked into believing that something is a solid fact when, in reality, it's just another beauty scam. So, to help you out, here are the most common skincare misconceptions and underrated facts:

1. The hotter the water, the better

Hot water has long been believed to improve skin health. First, according to skincare gurus, it opens up and cleanses clogged pores, allowing for a deep clean that can leave your skin feeling refreshed and clean. People also swear by it as a way to reduce inflammation caused by conditions such as acne. On the other hand, others believe, steaming water may even help reduce oiliness in the skin by controlling sebum production! 

Fact: Hot water strips away the skin's natural oils, leaving the skin dry and vulnerable to damage from anything else you use after washing it. Not only that, but the hot temperature can damage tissue and weaken elasticity, leading to age-accelerating wrinkles and redness. And, if that wasn’t enough to keep you away from hot water, it can increase inflammation, which can trigger conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. 

Best tip: stick to lukewarm water to wash your face and clean your body. 

2. Sunscreen is just for summer

It's easy to understand why people think that sunscreen is only for summer. After all, there are so many sunny days then, and most people spend more time outdoors in the sunshine. During this time of the year days are longer, temperatures rise, and, since we’re enjoying ourselves outside, we’re more exposed to the sun’s damaging effects like sunburns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. That’s why, when summer arrives, sunscreen automatically becomes our BFF which we ghost as soon as fall comes. 

Fact: While the summer presents a greater risk of UV ray exposure due to increased time outdoors, the truth is that we should be protecting our skin year-round. After all, UV rays don't take winters and falls off! The ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can harm our skin even when the temperatures remain low outside. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can sneak through and cause damage to our unprotected skin, causing dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.  

Best tip: apply sunscreen EVERY DAY, ALL YEAR ROUND to exposed areas every morning at the end of your skincare routine, not just during beach and piña colada days!

Sun Protection
Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
Sun Protection Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
$22.00
Sun Protection
All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk EX (SPF 50+ PA+++)
Sun Protection All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk EX
$29.00
Sun Protection
Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen - Asian Beauty Essentials
Sun Protection Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen
$35.00

3. Acne is just for teenagers

Acne breakouts have long been associated with teenagers, as if it were some kind of right of passage into adulthood. This could be attributed to the fact that adolescents’ hormones are constantly all over the place, which can lead to acne. Additionally, the teenage years can bring higher levels of stress and anxiety, causing people to rely on greasy and processed foods usually high in sugar and sodium; which are known triggers for getting acne. 

As an answer to this skincare concern, many kids start using products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat acne but stop applying them once they enter adulthood believing acne is a thing of the past. 

Fact: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately “50 million Americans are affected by adult acne,” meaning that acne not only affects kids, but it can also wreak-havoc on the skin of many adults. Though teen skin is going through more changes than adult skin, it still experiences the same problems experienced by adults with breakouts. 

Acne is a complex condition caused by many factors including hormones, genetics, and lifestyle habits. And, though hormones are more altered during puberty, many adults *especially women* have hormonal disorders that can lead to breakouts. Additionally, this concern can be difficult to diagnose and hard to treat. Therefore it can become a long-term problem if left untreated. 

Best tip: if you’re an adult dealing with acne breakouts, go to a dermatologist to treat your condition. Also, include products with beta-hydroxy acids, green tea, tea tree oil, clay, and charcoal in your routine to keep your skin healthy.

Facial Exfoliator
BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Facial Exfoliator Bha Blackhead Power Liquid
$25.00

4. Darker skin tones don’t need to wear sunscreen

As any skincare bible would say, sunscreen is crucial, with even the most minimal exposure to sunlight posing potentially harmful threats such as skin cancer and hyperpigmentation. Despite this knowledge, many people with darker skin tones still do not apply sunscreen on a daily basis. Why? Because dark skin naturally produces more melanin, which is a pigment that provides some built-in protection from the sun.

Fact: Dark skin helps protect against short-term sunburns, but it doesn't stop all of the UVA and UVB rays from causing trouble on your skin, like wrinkles and skin cancer. No one is fully protected against UV rays just because their melanin production is higher than an average person's,  if anything, it should serve as a reminder to wear sunscreen!

Best tip: use sunscreen every day, no matter if you have light or dark skin tone. By doing so, you’ll be avoiding looking like an old prune!

Sun Protection
Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
Sun Protection Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
$22.00

5. Cucumber slices are great for dark circles

Cucumber slices have long been a cure-all for dark circles; famous makeup gurus, beloved grandmothers, and even celebrities swear by the cucumber-mask technique. Legend has it that cucumber slices reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eye area and even help to lighten up dark circles. Its cool temperature helps to relax or constrict the veins underneath the skin, reducing discoloration. That’s why it’s so common *and trendy* to cut a few raw cucumber slices and apply them to the eyes. 

Fact: while cucumber does have amazing benefits for the skin, like reducing puffiness and inflammation, raw cucumber slices on the eyes won't do much of anything at all. In this sense, the cucumber you have in your fridge does not actually contain enough of any specific ingredients that would be truly beneficial to the area around your eyes. 

Best tip: instead, get formulated eye creams and face masks with cucumber and other active ingredients like caffeine, peptides, vitamin c, and hyaluronic acid.

Eye Care
Bird's Nest Aqua Fresh Eye Patch
Eye Care Bird's Nest Aqua Fresh Eye Patch
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6. DIY treatments are safe and effective

As more people seemingly become obsessed with their skincare routines, DIY skincare treatments are becoming increasingly popular. With home remedies like applying honey to your face or squeezing lemon on acne to make it disappear, there is an increasing appeal to these treatments. It could be due to the convenience and cost-effectiveness of making your own mixes, or the belief that by designing your own skin solutions you can get exactly what they need. That’s why DIY YouTube videos are the most watched!

Fact: DIY skincare treatments may seem like a cost-effective alternative to buying expensive store-bought options, but they can be dangerous in the long run. Not only are most custom-made concoctions ineffective because they don’t contain enough active ingredients to give your skin any benefits, but some ingredients can also cause serious irritation and inflammation when used incorrectly. 

Best tip: skincare products should replace your days of slathering on mashed avocado and sacrificing your quartz crystal in hopes of clearer skin. Formulated skincare products are designed specifically for their intended purpose, with each ingredient chosen for its ability to produce an effect. So, unless you've got a laboratory in your living room and you’re an actual mad genius scientist (most of us don't,) stick to formulated products for a proper skin care routine. 

7. Popping pimples is great

It's a classic scenario: You feel something on your face, and before you know it, you've got the creepy urge to pop it. This comes from the urgent need to make the zit disappear ASAP, as many feel embarrassed when an imperfection appears on their face. There are even satisfactory TikTok videos about it! 

Fact: popping a pimple can actually cause more harm than good: it can push bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to delves and cysts, or exacerbate the problem area, leaving an even wider area of redness and irritation. Not to mention the fact that those who pop their pimples often suffer from broken capillaries or permanent scarring, making their complexion worse rather than better.

Best tip: applying acne patches might not be the most glamorous form of skincare, but they sure get the job done! Acne patches work by quickly absorbing pus and oil in order to reduce inflammation and speed up healing time. These little discs are easy to apply with one hand, meaning multitasking is a breeze. Plus, with their cute and discreet designs, you wouldn't have to worry about having an embarrassing walk of shame through the office or mall after the application. After a few days, you’ll have glowing skin again!

Acne Treatment
Clear Fit Master Patch - Asian Beauty Essentials
Acne Treatment Clear Fit Master Patch
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Acne Treatment
Acne Spot Patch Super Thin
Acne Treatment Acne Spot Patch Super Thin
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8. Overwashing your face helps with oily skin

People with oily skin are notorious for overwashing their faces - almost to a comical degree. It's not entirely surprising why this is; in an effort to combat the excessive oils that come with having an oily complexion, individuals tend to resort to over-cleansing. 

Fact: constantly overwashing one’s face actually makes oiliness and breakout issues worse, not better. This is because when the natural oils are stripped away too frequently, your skin feels the need to compensate by producing even more oil, which can lead to acne breakouts. 

Best tip: to keep your skin balanced, opt for a gentle cleanser with BHAs and AHAs, which can unclog pores and reduce sebum production. Wash your face twice a day and don’t forget to moisturize your skin with a hydrating gel, since dehydrated skin can produce even more oil. Finally, try including blotting paper to wipe away excess oil and avoid getting clogged pores. 

9. Anti-aging products are not necessary till’ I’m 40

Turning forty can easily be a dreaded milestone for many, as evidenced by the array of jokes on the internet and in media outlets. When it comes down to it, forty is the age when people start noticing wrinkles and fine lines around their faces and eyes that weren't there before. This means that suddenly becoming aware of looking older than they remember feeling often leads people to experiment with different anti-aging products in order to combat signs of aging.

Fact: as we age, our bodies stop producing collagen and elastin *two proteins in charge of making us look young*. The process of cellular aging starts from the day you’re born, meaning that little by little your skin will begin to look older and older and, even if you don’t notice in your 20s, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When you start out young it’s much easier to prevent wrinkles, blemishes, and other signs of aging than trying to tackle these issues down the road. Incorporating anti-aging products into your skincare routine at an early age can help hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin barrier from environmental factors such as sun exposure and pollution. 

Best tip: it’s important to include products with retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to start preventing aging signs, instead of waiting for them to appear once you turn 40.

Facial Cleanser
Collagen Cleansing Foam
Facial Cleanser Collagen Cleansing Foam
$14.00

10. Chemical-free skincare is better

People are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of taking care of their skin, which is why there has been a surge in natural and chemical-free skincare over the past few years. While some people simply enjoy using products made with ingredients they can recognize and trust, others are driven by the belief that things labeled as “natural” must be safer than products made with man-made chemicals. Taking it a step further, many believe that these natural and chemical-free options may even be more effective at treating specific skin conditions due to their lack of synthetic ingredients.

Fact: While it may seem as if natural skincare products are better for your skin than those with chemicals, it is not necessarily true. Using natural skincare products might make us feel good since they come from natural sources, but neither type of product will guarantee healthier skin. In fact, some all-natural skincare ingredients can cause reactions such as irritation and allergies that don't occur when product chemicals are used. 

Best tip: the best skincare advice is to just stay away from harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, alcohol, fragrances, and PEG. There are some gentle chemicals in skincare products that are good for the skin, don’t run away from them!

11. Only people with dry skin need to moisturize

People may think that those with dry skin should moisturize, while those with oily skin don't need to. That's because many folks tend to associate oiliness with the idea of never needing any additional hydration or because they think moisturizers can cause acne breakouts by clogging pores. 

Fact: Unfortunately, this belief overlooks an important fact: all skin types need hydration! Having oily skin does not mean you are impervious to dry air or underlying dehydration. Whether you have naturally dry, normal, combination, or oily skin, everyone can benefit from moisture found in face and body products like gels and creams. Moisturizing helps keep skin looking its best, even if you do have a bit of natural shine already!

Best tip: apply a gel or creamy moisturizer twice a day, during your morning and nighttime routines. Plus, if you want to hydrate the skin around your eyes, use an eye cream!

Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Moisturizer Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
$20.00
Moisturizer
White In Moisture Cream - Asian Beauty Essentials
Moisturizer White In Moisture Cream
$20.00

12. Sunscreen is only for when you’re outdoors

Many people seem to think that sunscreen is only for when you go out of your house, because that’s the time when your skin starts being exposed to sun damage. 

Fact: the reality, however, is that UV rays can still be damaging even if you’re just walking around on concrete and inside your home. UVA rays can penetrate glass, causing harm to your skin even if you’re inside 4 walls. 

Best tip: apply sunscreen even if you’re staying inside. Also, if you work and home or barely leave your house, it’s recommended to take a sun bath at least 2 a week to avoid vitamin D deficiency. 

Face-wrecking skincare myths: Final thoughts

Now that you know the most common skin care myths that are seriously ruining your complexion and keeping you away from the skin of your dreams, it’s time to put all our tips into practice! 

If you’re looking to get the best, safest, most effective products out there, you’re in the right place! Visit Asian Beauty Essentials to find everything you need to start debunking all of those myths about skin care that are still floating around!

Don’t forget to visit our blog to get more expert-approved tips and tricks about the beauty world!

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