Even if we don’t want to admit it, physical appearance is important. We take time to check our clothes, apply makeup, and style our hair before leaving the house. Part of putting our best face forward is taking proper care of our skin. When we take care of it, our skin looks clearer and more youthful longer. It seems that everyone you ask has skincare advice, tips and tricks they swear by. While some of these are fantastic, others are widely spread myths. Let’s look at some of the most common skin care myths floating around and talk about the truth behind them.
Myth #1: You should scrub your skin squeaky clean with soap.
When you’re cleaning windows, squeaky clean is good, when you’re washing your face, not so much. If your skin feels tight after washing, it’s a sign that you’ve stripped it of vital oils. This leaves your skin more sensitive and more prone to rashes and burns. A better practice is to use a gentle facial cleanser that is suited to your skin type, followed by a moisturizer.
Myth #2: Makeup with SPF provides sufficient protection.
We all know that using sunscreen is an important way to combat the signs of aging. Many foundations and other skin care products offer SPF protection for just this reason. Unfortunately, this is usually insufficient; you’d have to use several times the regular amount of these products to get the full benefit of the SPF stated on the package. So even if your foundation has an SPF rating, it’s a good idea to add a bit more sunscreen to your morning routine.
Myth #3: Pop that pimple.
While it seems logical that the best thing to do is to get rid of the pus as soon as possible, that isn’t the case. Popping a zit feels good. The pus may come out in large amounts, but the pimple goes deeper than what you’re seeing on the surface. This is why you often see another pimple in the same place a few days later. Popping a zit also increases the risk of scarring, so please keep your hands off!
Myth #4: Expensive skin creams work better.
This is not always true. While there are certainly exceptions, many of the ingredients in moisturizing creams are very similar. There are very expensive products that are less than stellar, and there are inexpensive products that perform very well. Stick with something that works well for you, and keep in mind that sometimes a hefty price tag isn’t buying you much more than a pretty package.
Myth #5: You should start using anti-aging skin care at the first sign of aging.
Actually, it’s much easier to prevent the signs of premature aging than it is to reverse them. That’s why wearing sunscreen daily from a very young age is so important. As kids and teens learn to take over their own skin care, the importance of applying sunscreen should be emphasized. Prevention is easier (and cheaper) than treatment.
