True or false: Are you skin smart?

The online beauty world is awash with information, but not all of it is reliable. Here we look at some of the most common fact or fiction scenarios circulating at the moment. Some of them are quite eye-opening, especially if you’re trying to make your beauty care dollars go further.

Exfoliating every day will give you smoother, clearer skin

False. Exfoliating every day is likely to damage your skin barrier, which leads to sensitive skin that’s irritated, red and uncomfortable. If you have oily skin, exfoliating every day is likely to make your skin oilier than ever, as your body tries to compensate for the too-frequent attacks of exfoliation. We recommend you exfoliate thoroughly about twice a week. The end of the day is the best time, because exfoliation prepares your skin for a delicious feed of night cream.

People with oily skins should avoid oil-based cleansers

False. Oils dissolve other oils, so an oil-based cleanser is the best way to cleanse your skin in the evening. It will melt the makeup, skin care products and sebum together to create a slurry that can be easily washed away with a facecloth and warm water. If you’re concerned about residual oil, you can do a second cleanse with a mild water-based cleanser.

You don’t need eye cream

True. Gently dabbing eye cream around your peepers feels like you’re going the extra mile to look after your delicate eye area, but there’s no evidence that eye creams are more effective than your regular face moisturiser.[1]  You’ll often find good moisturisers or serums feature the same ingredients as eye creams. 

What you eat is as important as a good skincare regime

True. What you put on your skin is important, but so is what you put in your mouth. Eating lots of sugar and refined flour, drinking alcohol every night and smoking or vaping are lifestyle habits that are not compatible with beautiful skin. However it’s good to have fun too. One strategy is to apply the 80/20 rule: be good for 80% of your meals, with a special focus on getting 5+ a day; then be more relaxed for the remaining 20% of meals.

Your skin becomes used to products and they lose their effectiveness

False. You might notice a big improvement when you start using a new product, but then improvements will plateau.  This isn’t because your skin has become used to the product; it’s because you’ve reached the limit of efficacy for that product.  It’s perfectly logical really; if anti-ageing creams were able to provide never-ending improvement, we’d all have skin like five-year-olds. There’s always a limit to what a product can achieve.

Vitamin E cream heals acne scars

False. Scientists at the University of Miami studied two groups of patients who had recently had minor surgery. Each patient was given two creams, labelled A and B. One of these creams contained a high concentration of vitamin E. Each cream was applied to half the scar. Not only did the vitamin E cream have no beneficial effect on the appearance of the scars, it caused an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis) in a third of the patients. [2]

Expensive skincare products are worth it

False, in our humble opinion. There is no solid evidence that expensive skincare products deliver results that justify their big price tags. Look past the slick marketing and celebrity endorsements, and focus on the formula of the product.  You will find that some cheaper brands include the same active ingredients as the luxury brands, and often without all the unnecessary perfumes and additives that can irritate your skin.

Chocolate gives you acne

False. But if this myth works as a tool to make you eat healthier, keep believing. The truth is though, chocolate isn’t to blame. Hormones and genetics are the biggest factors in excess sebum production, which can block pores and cause acne.  

Steaming your skin is a great start to a home facial

True. Hovering your face over a bowl of just-boiled water, maybe with a sprig of rosemary added, softens your skin and makes the next step - exfoliation - more effective. Follow your exfoliation with a facial mask and your home spa treatment is complete. You can save hundreds of dollars every year by doing your own facials.  

Great skin products should give results the very next day

False. Human skin goes through a natural cycle of renewal called desquamation.  This process of cell renewal can take around 21 to 28 days, depending on your age, so the effects of a new skincare routine won’t often be noticeable for at least four weeks. Keep up the good work and your patience will pay off.

References 

[1] https://www.thehealthy.com/beauty/anti-aging/eye-cream-waste-money/

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/health/13real.html