8 common skincare myths exposed

We hate to admit it but the skincare world is full of far-fetched claims, gobbledygook information, too-good-to-be-true promises, and you guessed it, common beauty myths.

We're not saying you shouldn't listen to your coworker swear by her homemade pimple reducer remedy, or the skincare tips your grandmother's been living by since she was a teenager but we're also not not saying that (if you know what we mean). 

It can be really hard to know what to take as the truth, what will actually help your skin and what could potentially be harming it. Like, we bet you believe at least half of the myths we're about to debunk.

This is one of the main reasons why we wanted to ditch all of that and focus on easy-peasy skincare that's fuss-free and simple to understand. 

However, we still wanted to give you the ultimate lowdown so you can save time, money and effort while getting yourself gorgeous with a capital G. That also means you have more time to binge watch Bridgerton for the third time and open up a bottle of that new vegan rose you wanted to try. 

1. pumping your mascara wand in and out of the bottle will result in better application 

This is a false tale as old as time itself. 

We can't tell how this came to be a thing, where it came from or who started it but this claim seems to have grown up alongside us (that, and low rise jeans and slogan tees from Supre). 

While you might think you're picking up more product so your lashes will be longer than the Eiffel Tower is high, what you're actually doing is allowing air into the tube, drying your mascara out sooner than it should. 

Not only does this mean nasty, gross bacteria building up in your tube but your lashes will appear dry and flaky (and who wants that?)

Instead, swirl the brush tip around the tube if you want to pick up more of the product. 

2. wearing makeup 24/7 is harming your skin 

False, false and extra false. 

Yes, while wearing makeup consistently can be a little inconvenient for your skin, it won't actually make your skin any worse than it already is. Shocker, we know. 

We do have to admit that not wearing makeup during the day can feel like a real skin treat sometimes (it's definitely up there with taking your bra off after a long day at work) but don't let the fear of it harming your skin be the reason why you do it. 

The real baddie you have to be wary of is not taking your makeup off after said long day at work. Yep, sleeping with your makeup on is one of the biggest skincare sins you can commit. So don't do it. Don't be that girl. 

Make sure you're thoroughly cleansing your skin washing your face every evening to avoid congestion, clogged pores and the dreaded pimple police. 

3. the more SPF in your sunscreen, the better it is for your skin 

Now, we don't know about you guys but this is definitely something we've always believed. Like, who else has bypassed the SPF 30+ sunscreen for the one that's 50+? Guilty. 

What you have to remember is that SPF only measures the sunscreen's protection against UVB rays (this is what causes sunburn). 

The difference in UVB protection between SPF 100 and SPF 50 is very low. In other words, SPF 100 doesn't offer double the blockage despite what you might think. For example, SPF 100 blocks 99% of UV rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. 

If you're planning to be outside for over two to three hours in one hit and higher SPF might be worth it. But generally a higher SPF might not be worth the extra cost.

4. if I scrub my skin harder, then it automatically means my skin is cleaner

We can't tell you enough how wrong the above statement is. 

While scrubbing your skin until it's pink or red may feel like it's having the desired effect on your skin, it's actually having the opposite. 

Scrubbing your skin waaay too hard with tougher, more abrasive products will most likely strip the outer layers of your skin and get rid of the good, natural oils that your skin needs in order to rejuvenate and regenerate. 

Harsh body/face scrub can send your skin cells into an absolute panic. Picture your skin cells running around with their arms in the air, screaming at the top of their lungs while trying to get out of each others way (and not succeeding). 

Once this happens, they start over-producing oils to compensate for the lack of natural oils and boom, acne. 

Exfoliation in all its forms should be a gentle and calming process so as not to irritate the skin, using an exfoliating body scrub that's both delicate and hardworking to rid your skin of those pesky dead skin cells in the most natural way possible. 

Try using our very own hemp + sugar body scrub that guarantees to exfoliate and hydrate your skin, leaving it feelin' so fresh n' so free.

5. You don't need sunscreen on a cloudy day

Just because the sun isn't beaming down on you doesn't mean those nasty UV rays can't cause damage; clouds and fog only partially block out UV rays, if at all. So, not wearing sunscreens even in winter still increases your risk of sun damage and unwanted signs of photoageing in the future. So make sure you wear sunscreen every day and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

Also, wearing makeup with SPF does not protect you from UV rays.
According to Leslie Bauman, MD*, you'd have to use 14 or 15 times the amount of makeup that an average person would wear to reach the SPF on the label of powdered makeup, foundation or liquid makeup.

* Director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Group and author of The Skin Type Solution.

6. Not washing your face causes acne

According to Dr Peterson Pierre* hygiene does not cause acne. Acne involves oil production, bacteria, clogged pores and inflammation. On top of that, hormones and stress play a big role, also diet for some people. So not washing your face doesn't help but doesn't cause acne either.  

*Dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

7. Eye creams or serums don't do anything

According to Dr Sobel eye creams can have many benefits if it contains the right ingredients and is formulated for your specific skin concerns.
So if you're looking to de-puff or lighten dark circles under your eyes, a caffeine-based eye oil can help control inflammation and make your under eyes appear brighter. However, caffeine needs a little help from other ingredients with hydrating and brightening ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol - these can help eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles, giving the skin an overall youthful appearance.

8. shaving your legs will make the hair grow back thicker 

We saved the best one till last. 

We think we've heard versions of this myth every day since the age of thirteen but the important thing is to remember that this is indeed, a myth. You hear that mum? Grandma? IT'S A MYTH. 

While you may think your hair grows back thicker each and every time you shave so that by the time you're in your mid-thirties you might resemble more of a gorilla than a normal human woman, this isn't the case. It's not even nearly the case. 

In reality, the hair just appears shorter and more stubby so it seems thicker but trust us, it definitely isn't. 

Now that these skincare myths and 'facts' have been debunked, you can go out there and live your life with your skin to the clearest and your conscience to the cleanest. You're such a smart cookie.

Source: webmd.com + health.harvard.ed