Skincare Myths Part 2: True or False?
In the previous blog post, we covered (and busted) certain myths regarding skincare. In this guide, we will cover some more common misconceptions regarding skincare and hope that this guide is an eye opener that can help you make the right decisions regarding your skincare routine.
Debunking Skin Care Myths
Skincare Myth 1 - You Only Need Eye Creams and Anti-Ageing Products after you Develop Wrinkles!
Many people ignore anti-ageing in their youth because they do not think they need them. After all, they think they are still young, so one needn’t worry about ageing, right? Wrong!
Experts clearly state that human skin starts showing signs of ageing in one’s 20s. Not only is it a part of the natural ageing process; but many people also develop bad habits (smoking, sun exposure, lifestyle choices, etc.) around this time.
This is the reason why one needs to start skincare in the 20s. When you use anti-ageing products like eye creams and anti-wrinkle serums from an early age before you develop age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, then you are more likely to delay the development of those signs.
After all; prevention is always better than the cure.
We strongly recommend CERM - The Essence for its powerful anti-ageing properties. It contains Korean rice water along with other powerful natural wrinkle-fighters. These undo the free-radical damage that is responsible for signs of ageing such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc.
Skincare Myth 2: Coconut Oil is a Great Moisturiser
This unfortunate skincare myth has been circulating thanks to many social media influencers. While coconut oil is a natural ingredient, it is not the best moisturiser. The heavy oil has very big molecules that simply cannot be absorbed by the skin. This causes the oil to sit on the skin where it attracts debris and dirt. Coconut oil is also comedogenic which means it clogs the skin’s pores.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it is best to steer clear of coconut oil for these reasons. The clogged pores are a sure-fire invitation to the P.acnes bacterium that is responsible for acne and pimples.
There are better options to hydrate your skin than coconut oil. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide are some of them. These ingredients are scientifically proven to trap and lock in moisture without clogging the pores.
Moreover, many of these nutrients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid are naturally present in the human skin but they decrease as we age. So, it makes sense to topically replenish these nutrients since the skin absorbs them with regular use.
CERM - The Serum is a great way to add moisture to dehydrated and dry skin. It contains ceramides and natural plant oils that hydrate the skin without clogging the pores as coconut oil does. Moreover, its white lupin and algae extracts reduce pigmentation to make your skin brighter and radiant.
Skincare Myth 3: All-Natural Skincare is Good
So many people fall for the ‘natural skincare’ labels and they are indeed great marketing gimmicks.
Unfortunately, natural skincare has no defined standards and is unregulated in most countries. This means that natural products can range from anything “derived from a natural ingredient” to “minimally biologically changed”.
In short, your so-called natural skincare product could contain a natural product that has undergone lots of processing leaving no difference between them and chemical ingredients. Natural ingredients also tend to oxidize and, without preservatives, can turn rancid. You certainly don’t want to apply spoilt stuff on your skin.
Furthermore, many natural ingredients such as essential oils are known to cause serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. So, natural skincare does not necessarily mean safe skincare.
Skincare Myth 4: All Chemical Skincare is Bad!
Some of the chemicals used in anti-ageing skincare such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, alpha, and beta hydroxy acids, etc. are naturally occurring in the skin. Many of these are derivatives of vitamins. These ingredients sound like harsh chemicals but, in reality, are scientifically proven to improve cell turnover and speed up the natural healing processes of the skin.
Sure, some of these ingredients take time to work. Certain ingredients like retinol even cause redness and flaking. However, with regular use, they show significant improvements in aging skin. Many people stop using the products when they see flaking and redness. However, these are signs that the products are showing results by increasing cell turnover. So, one must continue using them. If needed, speak to a dermatologist if you need advice about adjusting the frequency of application.
Skincare Myth 5: Your Skin Gets Used to the Products So They Stop Working!
This one is rather easy to believe. After all, we know our bodies are capable of developing immunity to pathogens like bacteria and viruses, so why should skincare be any different?
Many people believe that certain products, especially those for acne prevention, “seemed to work when they first started using them, but over time, stopped being effective”.
The fact is - only if you’re using topical antibiotic creams or steroids, your skin’s natural bacteria could develop immunity or resistance to them. But the same isn’t true with other skincare products such as Vitamin C and retinoids.
Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City states that human skin takes some time to adjust to products containing alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids. During this period, skin cell turnover occurs which is why you notice peeling and redness.
However, once your skin has adjusted, the flaking and peeling stops. This is when people believe the product has stopped working. However, that isn’t the case at all. Our skin simply shows a more robust response to products when we first use them.
The only exception to this is if you develop a severe allergic reaction to a product such as itching, swelling, pus-filled blisters, burning pain, and/or extreme redness. In such a case, it is better to discontinue the product right away.
FAQs - Skincare Myths
What age to start using anti-ageing skincare?
The best age to start using anti-ageing skincare is in the 20s (or as recommended by a dermatologist).
Do you have to be consistent with skincare?
Skincare routine need not be complicated but one must be consistent about it. When you do things regularly with the products that work, you are more likely to see results.
When to change skin care products?
Dr. Adriana Lombardi, a New Jersey-based, board-certified dermatologist recommends giving a product at least 4-6 weeks to show results. She also recommends changing one’s skincare routine in the winter and summer seasons.
Debunking Skin Care Myths
Skincare Myth 1 - You Only Need Eye Creams and Anti-Ageing Products after you Develop Wrinkles!
Many people ignore anti-ageing in their youth because they do not think they need them. After all, they think they are still young, so one needn’t worry about ageing, right? Wrong!
Experts clearly state that human skin starts showing signs of ageing in one’s 20s. Not only is it a part of the natural ageing process; but many people also develop bad habits (smoking, sun exposure, lifestyle choices, etc.) around this time.
This is the reason why one needs to start skincare in the 20s. When you use anti-ageing products like eye creams and anti-wrinkle serums from an early age before you develop age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, then you are more likely to delay the development of those signs.
After all; prevention is always better than the cure.
We strongly recommend CERM - The Essence for its powerful anti-ageing properties. It contains Korean rice water along with other powerful natural wrinkle-fighters. These undo the free-radical damage that is responsible for signs of ageing such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc.
Skincare Myth 2: Coconut Oil is a Great Moisturiser
This unfortunate skincare myth has been circulating thanks to many social media influencers. While coconut oil is a natural ingredient, it is not the best moisturiser. The heavy oil has very big molecules that simply cannot be absorbed by the skin. This causes the oil to sit on the skin where it attracts debris and dirt. Coconut oil is also comedogenic which means it clogs the skin’s pores.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it is best to steer clear of coconut oil for these reasons. The clogged pores are a sure-fire invitation to the P.acnes bacterium that is responsible for acne and pimples.
There are better options to hydrate your skin than coconut oil. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide are some of them. These ingredients are scientifically proven to trap and lock in moisture without clogging the pores.
Moreover, many of these nutrients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid are naturally present in the human skin but they decrease as we age. So, it makes sense to topically replenish these nutrients since the skin absorbs them with regular use.
CERM - The Serum is a great way to add moisture to dehydrated and dry skin. It contains ceramides and natural plant oils that hydrate the skin without clogging the pores as coconut oil does. Moreover, its white lupin and algae extracts reduce pigmentation to make your skin brighter and radiant.
Skincare Myth 3: All-Natural Skincare is Good
So many people fall for the ‘natural skincare’ labels and they are indeed great marketing gimmicks.
Unfortunately, natural skincare has no defined standards and is unregulated in most countries. This means that natural products can range from anything “derived from a natural ingredient” to “minimally biologically changed”.
In short, your so-called natural skincare product could contain a natural product that has undergone lots of processing leaving no difference between them and chemical ingredients. Natural ingredients also tend to oxidize and, without preservatives, can turn rancid. You certainly don’t want to apply spoilt stuff on your skin.
Furthermore, many natural ingredients such as essential oils are known to cause serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. So, natural skincare does not necessarily mean safe skincare.
Skincare Myth 4: All Chemical Skincare is Bad!
Some of the chemicals used in anti-ageing skincare such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, alpha, and beta hydroxy acids, etc. are naturally occurring in the skin. Many of these are derivatives of vitamins. These ingredients sound like harsh chemicals but, in reality, are scientifically proven to improve cell turnover and speed up the natural healing processes of the skin.
Sure, some of these ingredients take time to work. Certain ingredients like retinol even cause redness and flaking. However, with regular use, they show significant improvements in aging skin. Many people stop using the products when they see flaking and redness. However, these are signs that the products are showing results by increasing cell turnover. So, one must continue using them. If needed, speak to a dermatologist if you need advice about adjusting the frequency of application.
Skincare Myth 5: Your Skin Gets Used to the Products So They Stop Working!
This one is rather easy to believe. After all, we know our bodies are capable of developing immunity to pathogens like bacteria and viruses, so why should skincare be any different?
Many people believe that certain products, especially those for acne prevention, “seemed to work when they first started using them, but over time, stopped being effective”.
The fact is - only if you’re using topical antibiotic creams or steroids, your skin’s natural bacteria could develop immunity or resistance to them. But the same isn’t true with other skincare products such as Vitamin C and retinoids.
Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City states that human skin takes some time to adjust to products containing alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids. During this period, skin cell turnover occurs which is why you notice peeling and redness.
However, once your skin has adjusted, the flaking and peeling stops. This is when people believe the product has stopped working. However, that isn’t the case at all. Our skin simply shows a more robust response to products when we first use them.
The only exception to this is if you develop a severe allergic reaction to a product such as itching, swelling, pus-filled blisters, burning pain, and/or extreme redness. In such a case, it is better to discontinue the product right away.
FAQs - Skincare Myths
What age to start using anti-ageing skincare?
The best age to start using anti-ageing skincare is in the 20s (or as recommended by a dermatologist).
Do you have to be consistent with skincare?
Skincare routine need not be complicated but one must be consistent about it. When you do things regularly with the products that work, you are more likely to see results.
When to change skin care products?
Dr. Adriana Lombardi, a New Jersey-based, board-certified dermatologist recommends giving a product at least 4-6 weeks to show results. She also recommends changing one’s skincare routine in the winter and summer seasons.