Seven Skin Myths To Stop Believing Immediately
From the sun fixing your spots to how many times a day you should wash your face, skin expert Donna Glazer tells us the truth about those common skin myths we've been told for years
We're told a lot of things about beauty and once you're promised something will make your skin look awesome, it's hard to shake.
But how many beauty habits have we picked up from false myths? We asked skincare guru Donna Glazer, from Highgate's Face It salon, how many of these 'facts' are actually true, and how we really can make sure we're looking after our skin.
Myth: Always shell out on expensive products
Truth: If you really are interested in taking good care of your skin, you should look at the ingredients rather than the price. Good quality ingredients are most important.
But that doesn't mean that you should regularly be dishing out £100s on products. Good ingredients are widely available at reasonable prices.
Look for vitamin A as its retinyl palmitate form, Vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Linseed and Kiwi Seed, which are incredible sources of Omega 3. These ingredients all help the functions of the skin which in turn makes it look good.
Products that include these types of ingredients on the first and second row of the ingredient list are good quality as they include a high amount.
Myth: You need to wear sun cream at all times all year round.
Truth: This all depends on where you live. In the UK, we are not exposed to such high levels of UV exposure in our winter months, like countries such as Australia, South Africa. There is no UVB exposure in the winter months in the UK but there might be some exposure to UVA.
The need to apply a SPF just to protect us from the chance of some UVA exposure is quite unnecessary in the UK in the Winter months. It would be safer for the skin to use skin care ingredients that are known to have UVA protection such as vitamin A.
In the summer, aim to include skin care with vitamin A, C or green tea in as these ingredients prevent UV damage in the skin cells whilst your SPF prevents absorption of the rays.
Myth: You need to wash your face twice a day
Truth: Actaully, washing your face just once a day is sufficient. Cleansing at the end of the day is most important to wash away make-up and dirt from the day. Unless you slept with your make up on or were digging in your sleep, cleansing in the morning is unnecessary.
Myth: You should exfoliate at least once a week
Truth: A new and deeper understanding of how the skin desquamates (sheds) naturally shows us that certain abrasives can be detrimental to the skin in the long run. It is better for the skin to use muslin cloths and soft face towels after cleansing as well as massage to aid skin desquamation. This can be incorporated into your daily cleanse. The days of scrubbing our face are long gone.
Myth: You need separate creams for around your eyes
Truth: In most cases, if you are using good quality skin care, you can simply massage that product closer to the eye area. That being said, if you have a particular concern only associated with eyes for example, dark circles, puffiness, or thinning, then a specially formulated cream for the area may be advised.
Myth: ‘Natural’ means gentle and hypoallergenic
Truth: Natural is such a widely used term now, it's difficult to decide on an explanation. I like to describe a 'natural' product as something that helps to promote the skin's natural processes. These products are gentle on the skin and do not include irritating ingredients.
But 'natural' ingrdient can be strong so just because they're not synthetic doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be the best option for sensitive skin.
Myth: The sun and sunbathing clears spots
Truth: Well this is often true. Your spotty skin can clear up when you are on holiday, but is due to a healthier change in your diet, drinking more water and a lot less stress!
The sun is drying and can temporarily improve the appearance of oily skins but in the sun, your skin builds more layers (that we call a sun tan) for protection and these excess layers can cause your skin to become even more clogged and congested - so once you return they will only come back with vengeance.
You're better off protecting your skin from sunburn than trying to clear up spots by causing it sun damage.
So we'll be throwing away our eye cream, washing our faces LESS and keeping an eye on those ingredients.
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