7 Common Skincare Myths Debunked

Have you been laboring away, investing, and crafting your skincare routine to no avail? You have done everything right by the book, and yet your troubles still persist, your stress thrives, and your trust issue runs high.

Maybe it's time to take a second look at the nuggets of skin advice you trust. There are probably some myths in the mix that weigh down your skin's ability to reach its best state.

We've scouted and curated 7 common skincare myths to help you pinpoint the potential cause of your skincare distress. Read on and see if you find yourself on the list.

(Whatever you do, do not skip #4)

Skincare myth #1: Retinol, Tretinoin, and Vitamin C are non-negotiable to defy aging

The verdict: Myth.

Why?

Retinol, Treinioin, and Vitamin C are undeniably superb ingredients to prevent premature aging and tackle mature skin concerns.

However, the hype for this trio has pushed the belief that if you want youthful, glowing skin, you MUST hop on the trend. And may your skin disagree? You don't stop.

In reality, beauty isn't always pain. Skin aging is a multi-pathway process. Accordingly, there are multiple ways to interfere and slow it down. Gentler and less dramatic.

If you aren't comfortable going through the guesswork and hard work of using the three powerful actives, here are our recommendations for alternatives to defy skin aging:

Skincare ingredients

• Hydrators and moisturization to improve wrinkles appearance: Glycerin, HA, Urea, Aloe Vera, Amino Acid, Sunflower Oil, Shea Butter, etc.
• Skin barrier nourishments to keep the skin bouncy, healthy, and strong: Ceramides, Cholesterol, Squalane, Colloidal Oatmeal, Linoleic Acid, etc.
• Actives that promote cell turnover for smooth, soft skin: Azelaic Acid, Bakuchiol, AHAs, BHAs.

Diet and lifestyle

• Regular sun protection.
• Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet, and regular fatty acid consumption.
• Healthy sleeping and exercise habits to manage stress.

Skincare myth #2: Collagen supplements are gimmicks

The verdict: It's complicated.

Why?

Many question the collagen's ability to be absorbed into the bloodstream and travel to where you need it to be, in this case, the skin.

Though there's no definite answer to whether collagen supplements can help replenish collagen in the skin, recent studies have shown some promising data:

• A trial conducted with 1,125 participants aged 20 to 70 years has found consumption of hydrolyzed collagen supplements led to improvement in skin hydration and elasticity, with proof that collagen can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
• In another study by Korean Clinical Research, participants who took collagen peptides within 12 weeks showed improved hydration, elasticity, and reduced wrinkles appearance compared to the placebo group.

However, these results are limited to the setting that the formulation and collagen concentration of the supplements among participants weren't consistent. Plus, there's no saying that digested hydrolyzed collagen can go through the human body's complex process to stimulate more collagen to enhance skin quality.

For those limitations, the idea that hydrolyzed collagen is the sole contributor to the results remains inconclusive.

Our hot take?

• Feel free to use it unless you are allergic to the supplement's ingredients.
• Bone broth and pig skin are not alternatives. If you want to lift wrinkle appearance with hydration, a Hyaluronic Acid supplement is waaay more effective.

Skincare myth #3: Age-based skincare

The verdict: Myth.

Why?

Even though skin changes with age, age-based skin advice like acne only affects teenagers or that you should start using Retinol at 25 or get on expensive neck cream at 40 are all MYTHS.

Holding on to these false beliefs won't do you any service but sidetracks you from giving your skin timely care and treatments. Waiting out is never the answer to your skin concern.

With that said, there are a few skincare thump rules you can rely on regardless of your age.

• Plan your skincare routine base on your skin needs and goals.
• Apply your facial skincare down to your neck and chest. These areas are often overlooked, and you'll find lots of aging signs down the line. Best to get ahead of the curve and be preventive!
• It's never too late to strive for a youthful look. You'll be surprised how far hydration and SPF can help you turn back time.

Skincare myth #4: You can open and shrink pores

The verdict: Myth.

Why?

Pores can stretch, and their appearance can change.

But the pore size itself always stays the same.

Remember that. It weirdly rhymes, but it's the truth.

It's a common skincare myth that you can get a deeper pore cleanse by "opening" up your pores with steam. While the technique works, the actual purpose of the steam is to soften the pore debris rather than to widen the pore openings.

To improve your pore appearance, here are some tips that don't involve the likelihood of you all flushed, standing over a boiling pot:

• Use BHAs and Retinols to remove pore buildup.
• Apply sunscreen daily and opt for monthly professional treatments like micro-needling, Fraxel lasers, and red light therapy. These practices help prevent loss of skin elasticity and collagen, which is another reason your pores might appear larger than it is.

Skincare myth #5: Getting rid of acne = drying it up or scrubbing it out