Seeking skincare advice online can be a tricky business. With Tik Tok, Google, Instagram and everything in-between, finding the right information can feel daunting. And, even with the numerous myth busting blogs out there to read, there are still so many skin misconceptions we feel we need to set straight…
#1 ‘I work indoors, therefore, I don’t need to wear SPF everyday’
This one is the one we see time and time again, and to be fair, it’s reasonable to assume that being indoors would protect you from sun damage.
Here’s the reality though – you can still suffer from UV-related skin damage indoors. Windows don’t protect against UVA rays. A study published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that melanoma ranks amongst the highest types of cancer suffered by truck drivers, as they don’t protect themselves sufficiently when driving. This goes to show just how powerful UV rays are and what damage they can cause your skin. Whilst you don’t need to wear sunscreen indoors, you should be using an SPF 30 or more moisturiser (even on cloudy days), and if you’re heading off abroad to a country with a high UV index, opt for a Zinc-based sunscreen (popular with surfers) that will block out the sun completely when you’re enjoying a dip in the pool or the sea.
#2 ‘Retinol is supposed to burn for the first few days of use – my skin will get used to it’
Burning and tingling sensations (especially accompanied by flaking and redness) mean it’s time to banish a product from your routine. This is your skin trying to tell you it’s not compatible with the amount of retinol you’re using.
Retinol is no doubt a potent ingredient, so it’s important to give your skin a gentle introduction to it. Low retinol introductory serums are classed as having a strength or 0.01% and 0.03%, so we suggest starting small and working up to using higher percentages whilst your skin is finding its bearings with retinol.
#3 ‘Vitamin C can discolour skin’
A common Vitamin C myth (and believe us when we say there are many!) is that it darkens skin overtime. The origin of this myth isn’t all that absurd, as when vitamin C oxidises and degrades in the bottle (this happens after about 3 months) it can produce a fake tan effect on the skin.
Topical vitamin C actually has the complete opposite effect, inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production. This leads to brighter and healthier-looking skin.
As vitamin C oxidises quickly, it’s important to use it within a maximum 3-month window, or you could end up with some questionable facial tan lines!
#4 ‘Sun exposure is good for my blemishes’
This one is a little more ambiguous than our previous 3 myths, as there is a seed of truth running through it. Sun exposure does help to reduce pimples and blemishes, as UV slows down p acnes, the bacteria responsible for the majority of acne breakouts. However, the long term effects of using the sun as an antidote for acne are not conducive to skin health and indeed general health – yep, you guessed it – skin cancer and skin ageing such as wrinkles, lines and collagen will be a very real concern.
The solution for blemish-prone skin is to tailor your skincare routine to include acne-fighting ingredients such as niacinamide, salicylic acid, sulfur and glycolic acid.
If you’re seeking tailored advice for your skin type, why not arrange a consultation with one of our experienced skincare doctors? Your journey to better skin is just a few clicks away…!