There’s a plethora of skin and beauty advice out there. Some good and some you follow at your own peril. Many skin care treatments and products come with a lot of hype too and you left with not really knowing which is true and which are skin care myths. When you’re feeling desperate for a skin care solution for your problem, you can easily make the wrong choice.

Skin Care Myths Exposed

While well-meaning, sometimes the advice you have heard or read is simply just wrong. We have chosen five skin care myths that could be causing your skin more harm than good.

Myth #1: Pores Can Be Removed

Pores are micro size pits on the skin that are necessary for the skin to absorb, breathe and excrete liquids. In most cases, age, genetics and individuals with oily skin have larger pores. While we can help reduce the size of large pores with treatments like chemical peels, it is not possible to completely remove them.

Myth #2: A Healthy Tan Is Good For You

Is eating a rotten apple good for you? There’s no such thing as a healthy tan! While some people don’t tan well; they just get red and some people may freckle, they are both signs of sun damage. Additionally, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can cause collagen to break down at a higher rate than normal aging.

Overexposure to the sun and tanning are two of the main cause of skin cancer and premature aging. Fair skinned people are more likely to get freckles with overexposure to the sun due to the sun causing an increase in melanin.

There are many sunless tanning solutions on the market. Our advice though, is love the skin you’re in and always wear a good sunscreen to prevent sun damage.

Myth #3: A Good Dose Of The Sun Will Clear Up Spots

There has been study after study proving that overexposure to the sun causes skin cancer. While a sufficient amount of Vitamin D is necessary for good health, applying a good sunscreen before going out into the sun can help protect your skin from the UV rays, but with minimal sun exposure time. But, there are still people who assert that the sun clears up their acne. Basically, what has really happened is that they most likely tanned and the skin around the acne is blending in more with the tanned skin making the acne less noticeable.

In the case of acne scars, the sun will actually make them darker – permanently. When the tan goes away, the scars will be more noticeable. Always wear sunscreen to not only protect your overall skin, but also to avoid worsening acne and acne scars.

Myth #4: Homemade Skin Care is Better Than Professional Skin Care

While the delicious natural foods and ingredients in your fridge and cupboard are good for the health of your body, they are not meant to be used on the delicate skin of your face. You can easily damage your skin. For example – apple cider vinegar has very high acidity and can quickly dry out out skin. Coconut oil is delicious in sweet and savory recipes, but will block your pores leading to blemishes and breakouts when used on the face.

It is important to know what ingredients are and what they do in your skin care. Brands have spent millions of dollars and conducted scientific studies perfecting the levels of cosmeceutical grade skin care products so ingredients work well together for various skin types and skin concerns.

Myth #5: All Brands Of Makeup Are The Same

Sometimes margin makeup; over-the-counter brands work well and it doesn’t mean that because they are less expensive they will harm your skin as opposed to expensive makeup. In theory, the more expensive makeup uses better ingredients, but those ingredients can also be irritants for some skin types. However, if you have skin conditions such as acne or rosacea, it may be best to avoid using margin makeup, especially for concealers and foundations.

In Conclusion

If you’ve received skin care advice from friends or read about a new product and you’re not sure the information is legitimate, just ask us. Our skin care specialist can recommend the best product and treatments to help you look your absolute best. Give us a call at (919) 557-6400 or contact us online.