What to Do Instead
The beauty industry thrives on confusion—because the more products and misinformation out there, the more they sell. Let’s break down some of the biggest skincare myths and get real about what actually works.
📌 Ever Heard of these?
🔹 “You Need a 10-Step Routine for Great Skin.”
More steps don’t mean better skin. Overloading on products weakens your skin barrier and leads to irritation, breakouts, and sensitivity (Draelos, 2018).
What to do instead: Focus on cleansing, nourishment, and protection—not layering a million unnecessary products.
🔹 “You Must Wear Sunscreen Every Day, Rain or Shine.”
SPF is important—but not mandatory 24/7. Your skin needs some sun exposure for vitamin D production (Holick, 2004). Overuse of chemical sunscreens can also clog pores and disrupt hormones (Matta et al., 2020).
What to do instead: Use SPF strategically, when you’ll actually be exposed for long periods, and rely on natural sun protection like shade and antioxidants.
🔹 “If Your Skin is Dry, Drink More Water.”
Drinking water is great for overall health, but hydration starts with your skin barrier. If your skin is dry, it's more about moisture loss than internal dehydration (Verdier-Sévrain & Bonté, 2007).
What to do instead: Use hydrating ingredients like glycerin and seal in moisture with nourishing plant oils.
🔹 “Natural Skincare Isn’t as Effective as Clinical Formulations.”
Many "clinical" ingredients were originally derived from plants. The effectiveness of skincare depends more on how bioavailable an ingredient is than whether it was made in a lab (Lin et al., 2017).
What to do instead: Look for high-quality, naturally-derived ingredients that work with your skin instead of against it.
🔹 “If It Burns, It Means It’s Working.”
Burning is not a sign of effectiveness. It usually means your skin is irritated, inflamed, or being damaged (Draelos, 2018). Skincare isn’t supposed to hurt.
What to do instead: If a product burns, wash it off. Stick to gentle, barrier-supporting ingredients that strengthen your skin instead of attacking it.
🔹 Final Thoughts: Don’t Fall for the Hype
The beauty industry profits from confusion. The fewer mistakes you make, the better your skin will be.
📩 What’s a skincare myth you used to believe? Hit reply and let me know!
📚 References
- Draelos, Z. D. (2018). Skin Barrier Function and Repair. Read here.
- Holick, M. F. (2004). Sunlight and Vitamin D for Bone Health and Prevention of Autoimmune Diseases, Cancers, and Cardiovascular Disease. Read here.
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Plant Oils. Read here.
- Matta, M. K., et al. (2020). Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients. Read here.
- Verdier-Sévrain, S., & Bonté, F. (2007). Skin Hydration: A Review on Its Molecular Mechanisms. Read here.