You want great skin, but the internet keeps yelling ten different things at once. You need sunscreen every day—but also vitamin C—but also slug your face with petroleum jelly—but wait, won’t that clog everything? Let’s cut the noise. Here are the biggest skincare myths that need a one-way ticket to the trash.
Sunscreen Is Only for Sunny Days
You don’t need a cloudless beach day to get UV damage. UV rays pass through clouds and windows like they own the place. If you can see daylight, UV can see your skin.
Wear SPF 30 or higher every day on exposed skin. Reapply if you’ll be outdoors more than two hours or sitting by a window. And no, makeup with SPF doesn’t cover it alone.
Quick SPF Tips
- Use enough: About two fingers’ worth for face and neck.
- Broad spectrum: Look for “UVA/UVB” or “PA+++” ratings.
- Finish last: Sunscreen goes after moisturizer, before makeup.
“Natural” Means Better (And “Chemical” Means Bad)
This myth lives forever because “natural” sounds wholesome. Poison ivy is natural. Water is a chemical. See the problem?
What matters is safety, concentration, and formulation—not the source. Lab-made ingredients often come purer and more stable. Natural botanicals can irritate sensitive skin, especially essential oils. IMO, choose products based on evidence and your skin’s tolerance, not just a marketing buzzword.
How to Read Past the Hype
- Check the INCI list: Fewer irritants (fragrance, strong essential oils) usually means happier skin.
- Look for clinical actives: Niacinamide, retinoids, azelaic acid, ceramides, SPF.
- Patch test: Always try new stuff on a small area for a few days.
Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer
Yes, oily skin still needs hydration. Stripping your face with harsh cleansers and skipping moisturizer can trigger more oil production. Your skin goes, “Oh no, we’re dry,” and cranks up the shine.
Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Gel creams and lotions with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide work great. Keep the barrier happy, and your oil glands chill out.
Build a Balanced Routine for Oily Skin
- AM: Gentle cleanse (optional), lightweight moisturizer, SPF.
- PM: Cleanse, treatment (like salicylic acid or adapalene), moisturizer.
- Extras: Clay mask once a week if you’re congested.
Scrubbing Hard Will “Clean Out” Pores
If pores could scream, they would. Physical scrubs and rough cleansing brushes can inflame the skin, damage the barrier, and make breakouts worse. You can’t sand your way to clarity.
Swap the scrub for chemical exfoliants. Salicylic acid (BHA) gets into pores and dissolves gunk. Lactic acid (AHA) smooths texture and brightens. Start slow: 2-3 times per week.
Signs You’re Over-Exfoliating
- Stinging from products that never stung.
- Flaky patches plus more breakouts (love that combo!).
- Redness and tightness that won’t quit.
Dial it back, moisturize more, and consider barrier helpers like ceramides or petrolatum at night.
Pores Open and Close (Like Garage Doors)
Pores don’t have muscles. Steam won’t “open” them, and ice won’t “close” them. Heat can soften the debris in pores, which makes extractions easier, but the pore size itself mostly comes down to genetics and oil production.
You can make pores look smaller—temporarily. Use salicylic acid, niacinamide, and non-comedogenic sunscreen. Keep your skin clean but not stripped. Makeup primers with silicones can blur texture for a quick fix.
More Products = Better Skin
You don’t need a 12-step skincare obstacle course. Overloading actives can cause irritation and cancel out progress. If your face feels hot and confused, your routine probably does too.
Keep it simple:
- Morning: Cleanser (optional), moisturizer, sunscreen.
- Night: Cleanser, treatment (if needed), moisturizer.
Add one new active at a time, every 2-4 weeks. FYI, consistency beats intensity.
When to Add More
- Specific concerns: Acne? Try salicylic acid or retinoids. Dark spots? Vitamin C or azelaic acid.
- Seasonal shifts: Drier in winter? Add a thicker moisturizer or a humidifier.
- Visible results plateau: Then consider a new active—slowly.
Retinoids Thin Your Skin
This one sticks because retinoids can cause flaking at first. But long-term use actually thickens the dermis (the deeper layer) by boosting collagen. Your outermost layer may shed faster, which looks like thinning, but you’re just renewing.
Start low and go slow:
- Use 2-3 nights per week, then increase as tolerated.
- Sandwich with moisturizer if you’re sensitive.
- SPF daily—retinoids make you more sun-sensitive.
If your skin throws a tantrum, pause for a few nights and focus on barrier repair.
Toothpaste Zaps Zits (Spoiler: It Doesn’t)
Toothpaste belongs on teeth, not pimples. It contains ingredients that can irritate and burn skin. The “it dried out my pimple” effect often equals irritation, not healing.
Use real spot treatments:
- Benzoyl peroxide: Kills acne bacteria.
- Salicylic acid: Clears pores.
- Sulfur: Calms inflamed breakouts.
- Hydrocolloid patches: Absorb gunk and stop picking (a miracle).
FAQ
Can I mix vitamin C and niacinamide?
Yes. Modern formulas play well together, and your skin isn’t a chemistry lab where everything cancels out instantly. If you’re sensitive, use them at different times of day—vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night. But layering both in one routine works fine for most people.
Do I need to double cleanse every night?
Only if you wear sunscreen and makeup or use heavier products that don’t rinse clean. First, use an oil or balm cleanser to remove the day; then a gentle water-based cleanser. If you go minimal or have very dry skin, a single gentle cleanse may do the trick. Listen to your skin, not a trend.
Is purging real, or is this just a bad breakout?
Purging happens when an active speeds up cell turnover (think retinoids, AHAs, BHAs). Breakouts appear where you usually get them and clear faster than typical acne. If new acne pops up in weird spots or lasts beyond 6-8 weeks, that’s probably irritation—not purging.
Do expensive products work better?
Not automatically. You pay for packaging, marketing, and sometimes texture. Plenty of affordable products deliver clinical actives and great results. Invest in SPF, a retinoid, and a good moisturizer, then splurge only if a fancy formula truly performs better for you.
Can I use actives while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Avoid retinoids during pregnancy (topical and oral). Many people use azelaic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C instead, but always check with your healthcare provider. Safety can vary by person, dosage, and trimester, so get personalized advice. FYI: Patch testing still matters.
Conclusion
Skincare gets noisy fast, but your skin just wants consistency, protection, and a few proven ingredients. Ditch the myths, keep the routine simple, and don’t bully your barrier. Aim for progress over perfection. And IMO, the most underrated product remains the same: a boring, broad-spectrum SPF you’ll actually wear.
