Skin and skincare is fascinating to me. As someone who struggled with chronic cystic acne for upwards of ten years, I spent a lot of time on the internet researching “miracle cures”and “breakthrough products.” I put toothpaste on my face, ate lemons, and bought just about anything that someone told me would work. It was an incredibly frustrating and expensive experience.
As consumers, we are inundated with information about skin, skincare routines, and products. Some of this information is accurate, but a lot of it isn’t. As an esthetician, I hear all sorts of false information from my clients. Here are some of the big ones:
1.) You know your product is working when it “tingles.”
That tingle is telling you that your skin is irritated and inflamed. While your skin may look tight, bright, and feel nice and clean now… you will pay for it down the road. These irritants that cause your skin to tingle can actually break down the collagen and elastin in your skin.
2.) Your skin “adapts” to products, so you should regularly switch up your routine.
This is simply not true. Often times when we start using a new product, we see instant, dramatic results. The product is doing what it’s supposed to, and your skin is improving. With continued use, the condition of your skin improves, and the results don’t seem as dramatic. Your skin hasn’t become “used to” the product, it simply has responded to it.
3.) Everyone will eventually outgrow their teenage acne.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Men have it a little better than women, because after puberty, men’s hormone levels become steady. Women’s continue to fluctuate due to menstural cycles, pregnancy, etc.
4.) SPF 30 provides twice the amount of sun protection as SPF 15.
The number after SPF has nothing to do with how much it “shields” you from the sun. The lower the SPF, the more often you have to apply it to stay protected. For instance, a very fair-skinned person can absolutely wear SPF 15, but they would need to re-apply it every half hour. If this same person wore SPF 50, they could re-apply it every hour and have the same level of protection.
5.) Greasy food causes acne.
While french fries and pizza aren’t the healthiest, there is no evidence that supports the idea that they cause acne. In fact, research is starting to show that gluten and dairy actually contribute to acne in some cases.
6.) Blackheads are dirt trapped in the skin.
Blackheads appear when the skin produces too much oil. Dead skin cells block the pore, keeping this excess oil from being released. This causes a blockage. When this blockage nears the surface of the skin, it oxidizes and turns dark. It can’t be “scrubbed away” – it can either be extracted or dissolved. Using products with salicylic acid help to not only dissolve blackheads, but it keeps the skin exfoliated to help prevent them in the first place.
Don’t believe everything you hear and read! Come in and see me if you have any skin questions.
Melanie
