The world of skincare is like a minefield. With tons of myths, misinformation and contradicting advice, it's hard to know where to start. Let's put these skincare myths to rest so that you can get your routine sussed!
MYTH: You only need SPF when the sun's out
FACT: UVA rays are ALWAYS there and can penetrate through glass
I'm like a broken record with this one, so I'm sure you'll all know what I'm about to say.
SPF needs to be worn EVERY. SINGLE. DAY no matter the weather! UVA rays are constantly present even on gloomy, rainy days and are able to penetrate deep into the dermis. These are very powerful rays that are going to cause ageing in the skin and contribute to more serious skin concerns such as cancer.
A lot of people also believe that you can skip the SPF when staying indoors, working in the office or driving, however UVA rays can actually penetrate through glass. This is why we can sometimes see more colour or freckles on one side of the face due to driving or sitting by windows.
I love the IMAGE Skincare SPF line Prevention+ as they have different formulas for different skin types and needs and each one combines your SPF in a moisturiser formula which makes it super easy and no excuses for forgetting to apply. My personal favourite is the Prevention+ Matte SPF 32 which helps to control oiliness without drying.
MYTH: You don't need to moisturise if you have oily skin
FACT: All skin types need moisturiser to keep it balanced and healthy
A hydrated skin is a happy and healthy skin. If you are someone with oily skin who doesn't use a moisturiser, I really encourage you to bring one into your routine. You may actually find that you feels less oily once you start, as skin that is lacking moisture can sometimes overproduce sebum (oils) to compensate for the lack of hydration.
Don't like the heavy, rich feeling of a moisturiser? You can always opt for a mattifying formula like the IMAGE Skincare Clear Cell Mattifying Moisturiser. It feels super lightweight and actually helps to counteract any greasy appearance on the skin whilst giving it the nourishment it needs!
MYTH: Coconut oil is great for the skin
FACT: Coconut oil clogs pores and doesn't do much for nourishing the skin
This is one I hear about ALL the time and one that I used to believe myself until I started seeing the negative effects on my skin. Coconut oil is often believed to be a good "natural" cleanser or moisturiser but it's actually extremely comedogenic. This means that it can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts as it acts more like a wax and creates a film over the skin.
If you like the balm-y feeling of coconut oil as a first cleanse, there are plenty of cleansing balms formulated specifically for the face that won't clog your pores. I really like the IMAGE Skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Cleanser as it's more of a gel/oil based cleanser that breaks down makeup amazingly!
If you like using coconut oil as a moisturiser and love that rich feeling on the skin, try a nice nourishing face creme such as IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme.
MYTH: Heat and cold open and close the pores
FACT: Pores cannot open and close
This myth NEEDS to be busted, but it can get a little confusing. There are no muscles around pores for them to be able to open or close, however there are things that can be done to make extractions easier or to make pore size less prominent.
-Opening pores
Chances are you'll be using heat/steam in an attempt to open the pores and help remove all the gunk from inside them. Heat or steam will not open the pores, but it will aid in softening debris and buildup from inside the pore meaning easier and less painful extractions!
-Closing pores
Enlarged pores are something that I get questions about almost daily so I want to share some of my tips on reducing the appearance of them. Debris, dead skin cells and sebum can collect in the pores and oxidise causing blackheads. The best way to treat blackheads is to have professional extractions performed regularly along with exfoliation at home. My favourite way to do this is using products containing salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant (BHA) that creates a tornado-like effect inside the pore to clean and pull out impurities. A super user friendly salicylic acid product is the Clear Cell Clarifying Pads from IMAGE Skincare, but please consult an IMAGE professional before using, especially if this is your first experience using chemical exfoliants. TIP: Cut the pads in half to get double the amount of usage! Half a pad is plenty to cover the face.
MYTH: Sunbeds help to clear acne
FACT: Sunbeds cause lasting damage to the skin and merely hide the issue
It may seem like a trip to the sunbeds might be helping to clear your breakouts, but it's actually just masking the problem. The UV rays will dry out the acne and a nice bit of colour to your skin may make it seem like it's working in the short term, but ultimately the long term results are dry and stripped skin, premature ageing and skin cancer.
Have you fallen victim to any of these skincare myths? Let me know!
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