Thanks to social media and the internet, there is so much skincare “advice” being thrown around and not all of it is true. Some of these statements or advice are not only just a popular skincare myth. But can be harmful to your skin. Don’t let a skincare myth ruin your beautiful face.

Below are 10 skincare myths that you have not only heard but have probably listened to at some point.

Myth #1: Not washing your face is the reason you are getting acne.

Though it’s a popular myth, it is, indeed, a myth. You won’t get acne just because you don’t wash your face correctly or frequently enough.

For acne to develop, the pores on your face must become clogged with a combination of shedding skin cells (keratin), sebum (oil), bacteria, and inflammation. So, while not washing your face certainly won’t help the problem, it’s not the sole cause of acne. 

Myth #2: Washing your face with hot water will open up the pores for better cleansing.

FALSE! Hot water may feel relaxing however it can damage your skin's natural protective barrier and dry it out.

You also don’t need to shock your face with cold water to seal your pores closed after washing, this is another skincare myth. When cleansing, use lukewarm water —not hot. Remember, it doesn’t have to hurt to work. If you are not sure if the water you are using is too hot, then look at your skin after rinsing. If it's red, it was too hot.

 Myth #3. Squeaky-clean skin is the healthiest skin.  

This skincare myth is one of the most popular ones out there. You are led to believe that the best way to cleanse your face is to rub it "squeaky-clean" with strong soaps, harsh cleansers, and abrasive exfoliants. Because a squeaky-clean face is a shiny and glowing face, right? WRONG! Skin normally has bacteria on it and it is impossible to keep your skin completely free of bacteria for any amount of time.

That "squeak" means that your skin has been stripped of its natural oils (sebum). Which makes dry skin types become even drier and more damaged, and can cause oily skin types to overproduce sebum to compensate for the loss of moisture. This results in a higher risk of breakouts and can leave you with a greasy feeling.

While it is important to remove dirt and excess oil from your skin to prevent clogged pores and breakouts, stripping your skin of its natural moisture by using a harsh cleanser or over-exfoliating might cause more harm than good. Stick with a gentle cleanser and don't wash your face too frequently to prevent irritated acne-prone skin.

Myth #4: The harder you scrub/exfoliate, the better.

No, this is another skincare myth. Remember, it doesn’t have to hurt to work! You should always be gentle and kind to your skin. Scrubbing too hard or too often will cause damage to your skin.

I know we all want to have that instant gratification moment and be able to see or feel our products working, which is why exfoliating can be so satisfying. However, if you exfoliate too harshly or too often you can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture. Which makes you more susceptible to clogged pores, breakouts, infections, and can lead to unwanted wrinkles and fine lines in the future.  So please be kind and gentle to your skin and limit your exfoliating to two-three times per week maximum.

Myth #5: If it burns, it means it’s working.

FALSE. FALSE. FALSE. If it burns, remove it with a cool damp cloth, immediately!

We have all heard that “Beauty is pain” or have used the phrase “No pain, no gain” which is what makes this such a dangerous skincare myth out there because it almost sounds believable.

When it comes to skincare, a little tingling is normal (with some products, aka lip plumper’s); stinging or burning, however, is not. This sensation or reaction is your skin telling you that it is sensitive or that it could be something more serious like an allergy to an ingredient you’re using. If something feels off to you, remove it right away. And if the pain or irritation does not subside within a few minutes, contact your doctor or dermatologist right away.

Myth #6: Rubbing alcohol will “kill” your acne.

This is another skincare myth. Though alcohol is a common ingredient in many skincare products because of its quick-drying abilities. Rubbing alcohol is too drying and irritating for your skin. In most cases, it will dry you out so much that your skin will overcompensate by producing excess sebum (oil) and clog your pores, which can cause additional breakouts or acne to occur.

When your skincare products have the right type of alcohol, are combined with the right ingredients, and are in the right concentration it is considered safe and effective for cleansing your skin. However, rubbing alcohol has much too high of a concentration of alcohol, which can break down your skin’s barrier and strip it of the natural oils your skin needs. Instead, look for facial cleansers or acne treatments that contain glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, witch hazel, tea tree oil, or rosehip seed oil.

Myth #7: You don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin.

FALSE! No matter what your skin type is —oily and acne-prone, dry, or a combination—you need to be using some kind of moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and nourished. The differences lie in the type and amount of moisturizer your skin needs.

That’s right, even if your skin is oily, it still needs hydration. One of the reasons our skin is overproducing sebum (the oil we see) is because our skin has been lacking the hydration it needs. The trick is to find the right lightweight moisturizer that is water-based, oil-free, and non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog pores). Skincare experts advise looking for formulas with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, a water-based hydrating ingredient that keeps skin cells plump with water.

If you would like to learn more about a right skincare routine for your skin type read here.

Myth #8. Eating chocolate or greasy foods cause oily skin and acne.

This is another skincare myth, possibly told to you when you are young to keep you from indulging.  There is no evidence that any specific foods cause acne.

The only truth in this statement is that there is an oily substance called sebum that causes acne. However, it's made and secreted by the skin, it's not something you ingest.

Myth #9. The higher your sunscreens SPF is, the better.

Again, this is false. Above a certain level, a higher sun protection factor (SPF) has little added benefit compared with a lower SPF.

Experts generally recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks out 97% of UVB radiation. It may be worth a higher SPF if you're planning to be outside for more than two to three hours, especially during hours of peak sun exposure (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). But in most circumstances, a higher SPF may not be worth the extra cost.

Myth #10. To fight your breakout, you need to use many different products at once.

No! This is not true. When it comes to our face and skincare regimen, we expect to see instant results, and it seems our patience is exceptionally thin when this doesn’t happen. So, we think that if we use a bunch of products all at once, we are speeding up the healing process. But this skincare myth can cause you to break out further or experience additional skin problems.

When you wake up with acne or a skin issue, the urge to layer on multiple products in the hopes of seeing a dramatic change can be irresistible, and we are all guilty of abandoning those same products very quickly if we are not getting our expected results within a day or two. This process will not help you to fight your breakout. You should introduce your skin to one new product at a time and be patient, as frustrating as it is seeing results can take weeks. But you will be better off and less frustrated long term.