Everyone’s guilty of believing in the odd old wives’ tale, but when it comes to taking care of your skin certain ‘myths’ can do more harm than good. We’ve rounded up five of the most important skincare untruths, so you can move on and start acting on the stuff that works.
You'll know that sleeping in your make-up is not okay, and that avoiding harsh chemicals in your skincare routine is smart advice. But there are certain myths about your skin that even the most knowledgeable beauty expert is often unsure about.
Does poor cleansing really cause acne? And must you really protect your skin from the sun all year long?
Here are five important old wives’ beauty tales to wise up about ...
Myth #1. Dirty Skin Causes Breakouts
In truth, the cause of acne is more genetic than environmental and happens when excess oil and dead skin cells get trapped in your hair follicles then become inflamed. It occurs mainly on areas of skin that have the most sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, ie: your face, chest, back and shoulders, and, on top of genetics, can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress and medications – not dirty skin.
Diet can also play a role for some people who have sensitivities to things like dairy and yeast, but again, don’t believe the hype that chips and chocolate will give you acne. They have little to no effect.
Okay, so poor hygiene is not the best idea for any skin concern, but contrary to popular belief, failing to regularly cleanse your face will not give you zits. In fact, worse than not cleansing is over-stimulating your skin with harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubs.
Your best bet? Gently cleanse with Crystal Cleanser and regularly exfoliate with Natural Luminosity Scrub. These are both great ways to improve cell turnover and keep your skin balanced, clean and free from bacteria.
Myth #2. When Your Skin Adapts To Certain Products, They Stop Working
On the contrary, maintaining a consistent skincare routine is key if you want to make the most of your skin.
You don’t stop eating fresh fruit and veg after a while just because you think your body’s got ‘used’ to their nutritional value, right? Well, the same goes for your skincare routine. Once you find a formulation that makes your skin look and feel amazing, stick with it. You might want to switch up your routine when the weather changes, but a great product is always going to be great, no matter how long you keep applying it.
Myth #3. Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturiser
Moisturiser is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine – whether your skin is dry, dehydrated, normal or excessively oily.
Oily skin produces more sebum than the norm, which is why it looks shiny and feels greasy to the touch. However, if you strip your skin of oil and moisture with poor cleansing and a lack of moisturiser, your sebaceous glands will go into overdrive and produce even more of the stuff, therefore creating a vicious circle of oiliness and dehydration.
If you have oily skin and want to avoid the dehydration that often comes with it, never skip your moisturiser. Avoid rich balms and creams, for sure, but always apply a light, hydrating formulation to replace your natural protective layer and help balance your skin. Try an oil-free product like Organic Hydration Gel which contains glycerine and aloe vera to help draw moisture to the top layers of your skin without overloading it with pore-clogging oils.
Myth #4. Eye Creams Aren't Necessary
This one always amazes us and if you've tried Imperial Eye Gel you'll know why. The skin around your eyes is thinner, fragile and more prone to dryness. This means it shows the signs of ageing much quicker than the skin on your face, so it figures that it’s going to benefit from a slightly different formulation, right?
Your eye area requires extra moisturisation and targeted ingredients to help tackle unwelcome puffiness and dark circles – things that don’t concern the rest of your face. Great ingredients to look out for are antioxidants like green tea; light, but effective hydrators such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, plus peptides to repair the skin and boost collagen production. Imperial Eye Gel has all this covered which is why so many swear by it.
Myth #5. You Only Need Sun Protection If It’s Sunny Outside
Wrong. The sun is the number one cause of skin ageing and it’s present all year round, so protecting your skin from UV damage is vital – even when the skies are grey. As for snow, it's an almighty reflector of harmful UV rays. Up to 90% UV radiation is reflected off snow-covered surfaces. exposing you to almost a double dose of UV, compared to dry sand at 15%.
Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum contains vitamin C which is proven to be one of the most effective antioxidants for protecting your skin from sun damage. Apply this every morning before moisturising to give your skin the best start to the day.
But do make sure you finish your morning routine with some extra broad-spectrum protection by applying a sun cream over your moisturiser or for a quick complexion fix and SPF 25, opt for our Organic Tinted Moisturiser.
We'd also always recommend wearing a sun hat and sunglasses for added protection. And definitely stay out of that midday sun when UV radiation is at its most damaging.
So, now you're armed with the truth to help you tighten up your skincare and take your skin to the next level.