Skin doctor debunks 8 common skincare myths

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding skincare. Some of this comes from old wives’ tales innocently passed on from generation to generation. Other times, it’s the beauty industry promoting messages to help market their products. Wherever they come from, these messages make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. With this in mind, Dr Qian Xu, founder and Medical Director of Skin Aesthetics debunks eight common skincare myths.

Myth 1: Vitamin E fades scars

Rubbing vitamin E on your scars will do nothing to fade these marks. Time does the most to fade scars though creams and lotions with hyaluronic acid, retinols, and the medication tretinoin can help to reduce the appearance of scars. Laser therapy and microneedling to encourage collagen and elastin production can help with scar reduction. My main advice would be to avoid direct exposure to the sun as scars tend to darken with sunlight.

Myth 2: You can shrink your pores

No, you can’t shrink your pores. The size of your pores is mostly due to your genetics, age and skin type. As we age our pores can start to appear larger due to our skin slowing down production of collagen and losing its elasticity. This stretches and sags the skin making our pores look bigger.

We have two types of pores, one releases natural oils and the other sweat. Sometimes the oil-releasing pores can appear enlarged. Whilst we can’t shrink the pore, there are ways to minimise the appearance. Incorporating monthly facials into your skincare routine can help.

Myth 3: You can use the same products for your day and night routines

Some products can be used both day and night such as a gentle cleanser. However, during the day your skin is in ‘protect’ mode and you should help it by using products that offer defence from free radicals and sunscreen.

At night your skin is no longer warding off pollutants and the sun so your night-time products should be more restorative. Retinol for example should only be used at night as it encourages cell turnover.

Myth 4: You don’t need to wear sunscreen if your makeup has SPF

While the extra sun protection in your make up is a bonus, it shouldn’t be your main point of defence against the sun. We never apply enough makeup to provide sufficient SPF coverage during the day. Your makeup may also not provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. So, stick to a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply it liberally throughout the day.

Myth 5: The more you wash your face, the cleaner and healthier your skin is

Washing your face too much can do more harm than good, often leading to dry, irritated skin that is vulnerable to breakouts and infections. Washing with a gentle face wash will help to unclog pores and dissolve the residue that has built up over the course of the day. The main thing is not to overdo the cleaning because it will make your skin dry and will cause the oil glands in the skin to produce extra sebum. To keep the skin’s natural barrier unharmed and glowing, I recommend using a simple, non-exfoliating face wash morning and evening.

Myth 6: Facial wipes are as good as a cleanser

These wipes are actually not designed to cleanse your skin and should not be used as your primary method of makeup removal. The chemicals in them to keep them moist also coat your skin so will gradually block your pores. These wipes are handy for emergencies only.

Myth 7: Budget skincare products are just as effective as expensive ones

Unfortunately, in most cases you get what you pay for and whilst it might not be initially obvious, over time it becomes apparent. Some poor-quality skincare ingredients can have an adverse effect on the skin in the long term, particularly synthetic ingredients which have been known to build up toxicity in the skin over time.

Try to look for quality over quantity. Your skin only needs a couple of quality products to survive, so invest in a quality cleanser and broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Myth 8: People with oily skin don’t need to moisturise

You do need to moisturise at least once a day. This is because the oil glands in the skin go into overdrive to compensate for being dehydrated making your skin feel even oilier. If you have oily skin then use a lightweight moisturiser that is non comedogenic so that they are less likely to clog pores.