For this week’s myth-busting blog feature, we looked to our resident skincare experts, Char + Shari, for the most common myths they hear on the job and the truth behind each one.
MYTH #1: You only need to wear sunscreen on days that are sunny.
TRUTH: Wearing sunscreen should be a daily practice and reapplied multiple times throughout the day. Even if the sun is not visible, UV rays are still working their way through cloud cover and causing damage to our skin. Working sunscreen into your skincare routine and reapplying throughout the day can reduce the risk of damage to your skin like premature signs of aging, sunburn or even skin cancer.
MYTH #2: You don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin
TRUTH: Applying moisturizer helps provide a barrier to your skin and create a protective outer layer. This barrier locks in moisture and can help regulate your skin’s oil production.
MYTH #3: Cleansers are only working if you can feel the tingle!
TRUTH: Cleansers do not need to provide a tingling sensation in order to effectively clean your skin. While some beneficial ingredients can create a tingling sensation, products should not leave your skin with a burning or itchy sensation. When choosing a cleanser, it is important to choose one that leaves your skin feeling clean without causing excessive dryness or any irritation.
MYTH #4: Eating sugary sweets or fried foods cause acne breakouts.
PARTIAL TRUTH: While things like sugary sweets and fried foods can cause inflammation in the body, acne is more often caused by an excess production of sebum that leads to acne. Cleansing your skin regularly and thoroughly as well as applying moisturizer can help prevent breakouts.
MYTH #5: The more skincare steps, the better!
TRUTH: Applying excessive layers of products can cause your skin to become irritated or lead to further breakouts. Choosing products you use to fit your specific needs is ideal.
1. Cleanse the skin, including your neck and below the ears
2. Apply a toner to the entire face and neck
3. Apply a serum* to your neck and face
4. Pat an eye cream into the skin just below your eyes
5. Apply a moisturizer to your face and neck
6. Finish off with a broad spectrum sunscreen to your face and neck
A serum is a type of skincare product designed to be applied before your moisturizer but after proper cleansing. Serums deliver a concentrated amount of active ingredients and a boost of hydration that can help target specific skin care needs.
A broad spectrum sunscreen means that the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. These are the culprits of premature aging, an increased risk of cancer, and sunburns.