And here are some beliefs from the beauty world that you can’t believe anymore.
Is it true that oily skin doesn’t need to be hydrated or that you need to change your skincare routine often to keep it from “getting used to” the products? With so many sources available when it comes to beauty, and as many answers just a click away – sometimes true, sometimes false – it’s hard to understand what to do and be sure that the choices we make are actually right and safe for our skin. It is therefore important to pay close attention to what we read and always read up on it. In this article, we’ll lend a hand by lightening your to-do list a bit (so you’ll be almost halfway there) by debunking 5 legendary face care myths.
1. OILY SKIN DOESN’T NEED TO BE HYDRATED
One of the most erroneous beliefs is that the skin, being oily and sebaceous, does not need to be hydrated. All skin types need constant hydration: whether they are combination, dry, sensitive, or acne-prone. The substantial difference lies in the type of product to be used, which must be light, non-occlusive, and possibly with sebum-regulating properties. And in the gel during the summer. In addition, not hydrating oily skin could lead to the opposite result to the desired one: dehydrating it can cause even more sebum production as a defense reaction.
2. TO HYDRATE DRY SKIN JUST DRINK MORE WATER
Drinking lots of water to try to hydrate dry skin will not improve its appearance: in fact, it has been shown that the epidermis is the last part of the body to receive the hydration given by the water we ingest and that, to the detriment of normal 2 liters per day recommended – to notice even a minimal effect – at least 4 liters per day are needed. Furthermore, according to some scientific studies, the difference in water present in dry skin and normal, combination, or oily skin is not significant. If your skin needs a hydration boost, act from the outside with an ad hoc skincare routine with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and other emollients and moisturizers.
3. YOU HAVE TO CHANGE PRODUCTS OFTEN BECAUSE THE SKIN GETS USED TO IT
It is true. But thinking that the skin gets used to cosmetics is false. The feeling that the epidermis, after a while, no longer “reacts” to the usual routine depends on the fact that every time we introduce a new product, it responds quickly to the latest arrival, improving quickly. But, just like with the previous cosmetic, it will stabilize after a while. Furthermore, continuously changing your skincare routine can be a source of considerable stress for the skin, risking causing frequent irritation and gradually increasing its sensitivity.
4. DARK CIRCLES CAN BE ELIMINATED USING AN EYE CONTOUR CREAM
Getting rid of dark circles is really very difficult, especially if they are hereditary. Creams and serums that are sold as “eliminates dark circles” are most of the time totally ineffective because, if yours is a genetic propensity, you will need much more than an eye contour to change the situation. There are indeed some ingredients that have been found to be helpful – such as AHA or BHA exfoliants, niacinamide, retinol, and azelaic acid – but the best solutions are lasers and some corrective beauty procedures.
5. IF YOU DON’T WEAR MAKEUP, YOU DON’T NEED TO CLEANSE YOUR FACE
Completely… false! Even if you haven’t worn makeup all day, dirt and impurities have still accumulated on your face – as well as sebum and residue from sunscreen and skincare products. Altogether they create a patina that clogs pores increasing the chance of breakouts and pimples. Always wash your face with a cleanser that suits your skin type, and to be on the safe side, double cleanse with an oily cleanser paired with a foaming cleanser to deep clean!
