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By Shilpa Bhim

The internet contains a plethora of information about skincare. 

Need to know if your skin is oily, dry, sensitive or normal? Or what type of exfoliant you should use? A quick google search and you’ll be on your merry way! 

But just because the internet contains a lot of information, doesn’t mean it’s always the right information.

In fact, when it comes to skincare, there’s a lot of myths that are perpetuated online, or just through word of mouth over the years! 

Thankfully you’re reading the Zove Beauty Blog - where we are committed to debunking beauty myths once and for all!

So pull up a chair while we spill the tea on the 7 most common beauty myths, and why they really are just myths.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 1: YOU ONLY NEED TO USE SUNSCREEN IN THE SUMMER

We get it. It’s called sunscreen, and the sun is mainly out in the summer. Therefore, you only need to use sunscreen in the summer.

Unfortunately, just because you can’t see the sun in the sky all year round, doesn’t mean the sun’s UV rays aren’t present.

There are two types of UV rays that you need to protect your skin from - UVA and UVB.

UVA rays are known as long wave rays. About 95 per cent of rays that reach the earth’s surface are UVA rays, and they can penetrate clouds and glass. UVA rays are present all year round and cause fine lines, wrinkles, and skin hyperpigmentation.

UVB rays are known as short wave rays and they don’t penetrate your skin as deeply as UVA rays do. They are usually more intense from Spring to early Autumn (during sunny hours) and cause your skin to burn. 

So, you need to wear sunscreen all year round whether you can see the sun or not, and whether you’re inside or outside!

Bonus Myth: You don’t need to wear sunscreen on your lips … 

… Not true! Your lips can burn, so it’s important to keep them protected using a lip balm containing broad spectrum SPF.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 2: FALLING ASLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP ONCE IN A WHILE ISN’T A BIG DEAL

It’s been a loooong day. You finally get home and you’re knackered. The last thing you want to do is take your makeup off. 

You figure it’s fine if you sleep in your makeup just this once. No big deal, right?

Not quite.

When you sleep with your makeup on it mixes with debris, dirt, oil and pollutants that have built up on the surface of your skin throughout the day. This can lead to clogged pores which can lead to breakouts. 

So, take an extra minute or two to wash your face before bed. Your skin will thank you for it in the morning!

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 3: THE HARDER I SCRUB MY SKIN, THE HEALTHIER IT WILL BE

You’re definitely doing something to your skin when you scrub it until it's red. But it’s not a good something!

Scrubbing your skin hard (or using a harsh exfoliant) strips the outer layers of your skin and gets rid of the necessary natural oils that your skin needs to regenerate. 

When this happens, your skin starts over producing oils to make up for the oil that’s been stripped away. Next thing you know, you’re experiencing breakouts left, right and centre!

Go gentle and slow when exfoliating or cleansing your skin to keep it happy and healthy. For a more detailed guide, check out our articles on exfoliating and on using the right cleanser for your skin type.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 4: I SHOULD USE RETINOL ONCE IM IN MY 40s OR 50s

Retinol is a game changing skincare ingredient! 

It's a derivative of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself by encouraging cell turnover and can increase collagen production.

It may not be for everyone (particularly those with sensitive skin) but if you can use it, it’s recommended to introduce it to your skincare routine from your mid-20s to early 30s.

This helps to even out skin tone early, and keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 5: EYE CREAM ISN’T REALLY NECESSARY

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face. It also tends to be one of the first areas of your face to show signs of ageing.

Using an eye cream with the right ingredients helps keep the skin under your eyes healthy. 

Look for smoothing, hydrating, and brightening ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol. These ingredients can eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.

If you’ve got dark or puffy under eyes, using an eye cream with caffeine can help control inflammation and make your under eyes appear brighter too. We share more tips on dark under eye circles in our article here.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 6: I HAVE OILY SKIN SO I DON’T NEED TO MOISTURISE

There’s no point in moisturising because surely the oils in your skin will do the trick, right?

Well, not really. Factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing or scrubbing can damage the moisture barrier on all skin, including oily skin.

This can lead to a loss of moisture and increased oil production, making your skin more oily (but not in a healthy, moisturised way). 

To keep your skin hydrated, moisturised, healthy and protected from external factors, use a light water based moisturiser.

Pro tip: opt for a moisturiser with a matte finish if you want your skin to look less shiny.

SKINCARE MYTH NUMBER 7: SKINCARE STOPS WORKING BECAUSE YOUR SKIN ADAPTS TO IT

Do fruits and veggies become less healthy because you eat them everyday? We didn’t think so.

The same logic applies to skincare. As long as you are using products that are good for your skin your skin will remain happy and healthy. 

Of course if you are using a product that’s not quite fit for purpose for your skin, which leads to irritation, you will likely see a marked difference in your skin right when you switch to a different product. 

Whereas once your skin has settled, the contrast in using a different product won’t be as stark. But that’s not a sign your product has stopped working!

Is your mind blown after learning these skincare myths aren’t true?! How many of these common skincare myths did you believe? Share all your thoughts with us via Instagram or email us! 

Shilpa is a freelance beauty and lifestyle writer from Melbourne, Australia. You can keep up with her adventures over at @skb.ontherun and check out her latest articles here.