Skincare Myths: Busted

We've talked recently about hair care myths and nail myths, so now it's time to bust those skincare myths! There is a lot of misinformation floating around on the internet, so we're here to guide you toward making the best, healthiest choices for your skin.

Here are the top skincare myths we're busting:

1. You don't need sunscreen on cloudy days: Definitely a myth. The fact is that UV rays can penetrate clouds, and up to 80% of UV rays can reach your skin on cloudy days. On cloudy days, you're still at risk of hyperpigmentation, premature aging, and skin cancer from UV rays. (Spend a little too much time in the sun? Check out our Sun Damage and Capillary Skin Treatment Facial to help soothe and correct sun damage.) Make sure you're wearing SPF 30 every day, regardless of the weather.

2. I have oily skin--I don't need moisturizer: This is not true! If you deprive your oily skin of moisture, it can produce even more oil to compensate. (Find our tips for managing oily skin and other skin types here.) A good skincare routine is the key to help you manage your oily skin and balance sebum production as much as you can. Look for lightweight moisturizers (gel-based are good starters) with hyaluronic acid to provide moisture without clogging pores and weighing your skin down.

3. Exfoliating daily will give me smoother skin: Nope! Daily exfoliation can lead to irritation, redness, and a compromised skin barrier. That said, exfoliation is an important part of your skincare routine, best done 2-3 times per week. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover, so look for exfoliants with lactic acid or enzyme-based products rather than scrubs to help reduce irritation.

4. Antiaging products are only for older people/a ten year old is fine to use retinol: There are two myths in one here, but since they're related, we're going for both at once. The best time to start using antiaging products is (depending on your circumstances, of course) around 25. Why? This is generally when the body decreases collagen production, so upgrading your skincare around then to include antiaging products makes sense. Adding retinol and other antioxidants will help minimize and prevent the signs of aging. TikTok had a lot of 10-year-olds asking for retinoids and Drunk Elephant products (which are targeted toward more mature skin), and retinol can be damaging for young skin if they're not careful. Using retinol as a kid can disrupt the skin's balance--a child's or teen's skin is very resilient and still adapting to the environment, which retinol can disrupt by damaging the skin barrier, causing irritation, and creating skin sensitivity. Their skin may become red, dry, and peel. (That said, a dermatologist may prescribe retinol or tretinoin for acne--we're not talking about that here.) A tween or teen's skincare routine should stay simple: a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF (plus spot treatment for acne if needed and a gentle clay mask for fun). (Find our facial services for acne-prone and oily skin here.)

5. Switch your skincare often so your skin doesn't get used to them: This is probably a good myth to bust, because it saves money in the long run since you won't have extra products on hand! The fact is that your skin doesn't build up a tolerance to products, and consistency is actually key in skincare. If something is working well for your skin, don't change it. Switching products can lead to irritation and upsetting the skin barrier.

6. Expensive skincare products are better: Actually, not always. There are some heavy-hitters in the drugstore skincare aisle for sure. The best way to know which skincare products are better than others is to look at the ingredients and understand your skin's needs. Check the ingredients list for retinol, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide, which will provide lots of benefits for your skin. Avoid parabens, fragrance, sulfates, alcohol, and phthalates.

There you have it! Six skincare myths, busted. Still have questions or want to check out our facial services? Give Salon Patrice a call at (815) 223-8643 or find our facial and skincare services here.