It is probably safe to say that everyone is looking to achieve clear, healthy, and radiant skin. However, when it comes to skincare, you don’t always want to believe everything you hear. There are many misconceptions and myths about skincare floating around, and there’s more to it than spending money on skincare products and cleansing your face every day.
Did you know that certain skincare myths have the ability to cause harm? To help you discern fact from fiction, so you can protect your skin, continue reading to learn more about the myths about skincare.
Myth: Acne can occur from not washing your face
Fact: When it comes to hygiene, it does play a role, but not the leading role that you think. When a person has a breakout, it’s generally caused by clogged pores, bacteria, inflammation, oil production, stress, hormones, and even diet. While not washing your face doesn’t help, that alone will not cause acne.
Myth: You need to exfoliate
Fact: While using your favorite sugar scrub can make your legs feel smooth and moisturized, it isn’t a necessary action. Once a month, your skin sheds keratinocytes, so exfoliation is not needed. So all of those facials, peels, and sugar scrubs are unnecessary since your skin does it on its own.
Myth: Higher SPF means better protection
Fact: Just looking for a sunscreen with a high SPF doesn’t necessarily mean it will do a better job of protecting your skin. Generally, SPF only protects against UVB rays, the rays that can cause sunburn, but there are still the UVA and UVC rays to worry about too. So, look for a sunscreen with not just a high SPF but is a broad spectrum to help fully protect your skin.
Myth: I do not need sunscreen on a cloudy day
Fact: Even on a cloudy day, you can still get sunburnt, especially if you are sensitive to the sun and have a tendency to burn easily. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun doesn’t get blocked just because there is cloud coverage. It can still easily reach the earth. So make sure you always wear sunscreen, even on a cloudy day.
Myth: You don’t burn as quickly when you had a spray tan done
Fact: Changing your skin color by having a fake tan applied does not protect you against sunburn. This layer of color does not provide a “base tan” and will not act as a shield against sunburn. In fact, it can make it worse since it can be more challenging to see your skin turning red as it sunburns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not washing your face alone does not cause acne. Acne is generally caused by clogged pores, bacteria, inflammation, oil production, stress, hormones, and diet. While hygiene plays a role, it is not the leading cause of breakouts.
Exfoliation is not strictly necessary because your skin naturally sheds keratinocytes about once a month. While exfoliating can make your skin feel smooth, frequent facials, peels, or scrubs are not required for healthy skin.
A higher SPF sunscreen mainly protects against UVB rays that cause sunburn but does not fully protect against UVA and UVC rays. For comprehensive protection, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to shield your skin from all types of harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Yes, you should wear sunscreen even on cloudy days because ultraviolet radiation can penetrate cloud cover and still cause sunburn. People sensitive to the sun or prone to burning should be especially cautious and apply sunscreen regardless of weather conditions.
No, a spray tan does not protect your skin from sunburn. It does not provide a base tan or shield against UV rays. In fact, it can make sunburn worse because the fake tan can mask the redness, making it harder to notice when your skin is burning.
