In the current generation, many people are on the hunt for clear, luminous, and smooth skin. This desire to have good skin health has caused a boom in skincare products and the embracing of skincare routines by many people. In a recent survey, it was discovered that 63% of millennials take their skincare routines seriously.
People who have strict skincare routines that they observe enjoy several benefits from it. The benefits of skincare routines include the clearing of black spots, improved hydration, reduction of visible pores on the skin, prevention of eye bags, etc. While having skincare routines offers numerous benefits, some people miss out on the benefits due to their belief in some skincare routine myths.
Similar to all other popular things on earth, a lot of myths about skin care routines have come up over the years. The myths about skin care routines act as reasons for some people to avoid taking care of their skin and this makes the myths detrimental. All the common myths about skincare routines have been debunked by dermatologist boards and skin product research companies.
This article goes through some of the popular myths about skincare routines that are perpetrated globally.
1. Skincare Products Must Have a Burning Sensation
This myth emanates from the fact that some certain products with specific compounds such as mint, cause a tingling sensation on the skin. The tingling sensation often occurs after one applies skincare products after exfoliating the skin. This tingling sensation caused the rise of a popular myth among many people.
It is said that if a skincare product does not cause a burning sensation on the surface of the skin, the product is not working. This myth overlooks and ignores numerous scientific facts. Getting a burning sensation after using a skincare product is a common sign that your skin is very sensitive to the product that you are using. If you experience a burning sensation when using a particular skincare product, wash it off with plain water immediately.
In some cases, getting a burning sensation when using a skin care product means that your skin is reacting to a specific ingredient in the product. If this happens, you should seek the services of a dermatologist. The dermatologist will analyze your case, skin type and other factors then recommend skin care products that will work well for your skin. If you have a skincare routine that you follow, work on knowing the difference between a tingling feeling on the skin and a burning sensation. The burning sensation is the one that shows you should quit using the product.
2. Sunscreen is Not Important When It’s Not Sunny
The name sunscreen causes people to believe that the product is only required when the sun is shining bright outside. However, sunscreen helps protect a person’s screen from ultraviolet radiation, specifically UVA and UVB rays that are emitted by the sun.
UVA and UVB rays are still emitted even on days when the sunlight is not as extreme. This means that even on the cloudiest of days, your skin is still getting exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. UVA and UVB rays are known to ruin the top layers of the skin. The rays damage cells of the skin causing DNA mutations in some cases. In cases when DNA mutations occur, one can end up getting various forms of skin cancer such as melanoma.
With this in mind, you should apply sunscreen every day you know you are gonna leave the house. This will ensure that your skin is protected from the harmful rays of the sun at all times, regardless of the weather conditions.
3. Washing The Face with Hot Water is Good
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There is a common belief that using hot water to wash one’s face with hot water helps open up the skin pores and improve overall skin health. The myth encompasses the scientific fact behind why steam baths are good for the skin. During steam baths, the heat from the steam causes the skin pores to open up and this causes sweating.
While steam baths are good for the skin, washing the face with hot water is not. Using hot water on the face rips off and removes natural moisture and oils from the skin. This can negatively impact the health of your skin. If you want to open up your skin pores, it is better to go for a steam bath. You can also use a damp hot towel to open up your skin pores.
4. One Should Exfoliate The Skin As Much as Possible
Skin exfoliation is important because it helps one get rid of dead skin cells. When one gets rid of dead skin cells, the skin glows, becomes smoother and overall skin health improves. Exfoliation is among the most common procedures in skincare routines since its results are seen almost immediately.
Due to its immediate results, a lot of people end up overdoing it. This has created the common myth that implies the more one exfoliates, the better their skin becomes. This myth has been proven to be scientifically inaccurate.
During exfoliation, one takes a layer off the skin. This means that when one exfoliates a lot of times, they can take off a significant layer and leave their skin vulnerable. Studies discovered that over-exfoliation breaks the barrier of the skin that keeps it safe. Once the skin barrier is broken, the skin becomes vulnerable to easily contracting infections, free radicals, and skin redness.
The required rate of exfoliation depends on one’s skin type. To ensure that you exfoliate well for your skin, consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist will assess your skin and offer recommendations for the number of times you should exfoliate in a specific period. After getting the recommendation from the dermatologist, keep track of your skin’s reaction after every exfoliation period.
It’s also worth mentioning that not only your face needs exfoliation, but your whole body will actually benefit from it. A good coffee scrub will remove dead skin cells and other impurities from your skin. Just make sure to moisturize after with a body lotion, hand cream, and the best heel balm.
Conclusion
When implementing or adopting any pre-designed skincare routine, ensure you consult your dermatologist at every step. Having a dermatologist is key to ensuring that the skincare routine you use will offer the relevant benefits of skincare.
