The skincare world is rife with misinformation. From advice passed down through generations to claims spread on social media, myths about skincare can lead us to make choices that are ineffective at best and harmful at worst. Let us examine ten of the most persistent skincare myths and discover what the science actually says.
Myth 1: You Need to Let Your Skin "Breathe" by Going Makeup-Free
The Truth: Skin does not breathe in the way lungs do. Your skin obtains oxygen from your bloodstream, not from the air. The idea that makeup suffocates your skin is fundamentally incorrect.
What matters is not whether you wear makeup, but how you remove it. Sleeping in makeup can clog pores because it mixes with dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria throughout the day. But properly applied makeup that is thoroughly removed each evening does not harm your skin.
That said, taking occasional breaks from makeup can benefit your skin indirectly by reducing the physical rubbing and cleansing required to remove it, which is particularly helpful for sensitive skin.
đź’ˇ The Real Concern
The quality of makeup ingredients matters more than whether you wear makeup. Non-comedogenic, high-quality products are unlikely to cause problems when used correctly and removed thoroughly each night.
Myth 2: Natural and Organic Products Are Always Better
The Truth: Natural does not mean safe, and synthetic does not mean harmful. Poison ivy is natural; so are many potent allergens. Meanwhile, many synthetic ingredients have excellent safety profiles and are more stable and effective than their natural counterparts.
Essential oils, often celebrated as natural skincare ingredients, are actually among the most common causes of contact dermatitis. Synthetic fragrances, while not ideal for sensitive skin, are often formulated to minimise allergens in ways that essential oils cannot be.
Judge products by their specific ingredients and your skin's response to them, not by whether they claim to be natural or organic. Marketing terms often mean less than they appear to.
Myth 3: You Should Feel a Tingle for Products to Be Working
The Truth: A tingling or burning sensation is not a sign of a product working—it is a sign of irritation. While some active ingredients like vitamin C or AHAs may cause mild tingling initially, significant discomfort indicates that the product is too strong or unsuitable for your skin.
Effective skincare should generally feel comfortable. The "no pain, no gain" mentality does not apply to skincare. Chronic irritation can damage your skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, dehydration, and potentially worsening the very concerns you are trying to address.
âś… Key Takeaway
If a product consistently stings, burns, or causes redness, discontinue use. Skin irritation is never a sign of efficacy—it is a warning sign that something is wrong.
Myth 4: Pores Open and Close
The Truth: Pores do not have muscles and cannot open or close like doors. What appears to be pores "opening" with steam or hot water is actually the loosening of oil and debris that makes pores appear larger or more visible.
Similarly, cold water does not "close" pores. It may temporarily reduce inflammation or puffiness, making pores less visible, but the effect is temporary and cosmetic rather than structural.
Pore size is largely determined by genetics. You can minimise their appearance through regular cleansing, exfoliation, and products containing retinoids or niacinamide, but you cannot permanently shrink them.
Myth 5: Oily Skin Does Not Need Moisturiser
The Truth: All skin types need hydration. Oily skin produces excess sebum (oil), but that does not mean it is adequately hydrated. In fact, skipping moisturiser can make oily skin worse—when the skin is dehydrated, it often produces more oil to compensate.
The key for oily skin is choosing the right moisturiser. Look for lightweight, water-based, or gel formulas that provide hydration without adding additional oil. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are excellent for oily skin types.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Using harsh, oil-stripping products and skipping moisturiser creates a vicious cycle. Your skin becomes dehydrated, triggers more oil production, which leads you to strip it further. Break the cycle by hydrating properly with appropriate products.
Myth 6: Sunscreen Is Only Necessary on Sunny Days
The Truth: Up to eighty percent of UV rays penetrate clouds, meaning you receive significant sun exposure even on overcast days. UVA rays, which cause premature aging, are present year-round and penetrate through windows, affecting you even indoors.
In Australia, where UV levels are among the highest in the world, daily sunscreen use is essential regardless of the weather. The cumulative effect of incidental sun exposure—walking to your car, sitting near windows, brief outdoor errands—adds up over time and contributes to skin aging and skin cancer risk.
Make sunscreen a non-negotiable daily habit, applied every morning as the final step of your skincare routine.
Myth 7: Anti-Aging Products Are Only for Older People
The Truth: Prevention is far more effective than correction. The changes we associate with aging—wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone—result from cumulative damage that begins in our twenties or even earlier.
Starting sun protection early is the most important anti-aging step you can take. Adding antioxidants like vitamin C in your twenties helps protect against environmental damage. Retinoids can be introduced in your late twenties or early thirties to maintain collagen production before significant decline occurs.
You do not need an extensive anti-aging routine at twenty-five, but establishing good habits early pays dividends later. Think of it as investment rather than treatment.
Myth 8: You Need to Switch Products Regularly Because Skin Gets Used to Them
The Truth: Your skin does not become "immune" to skincare products. If a product worked initially and seems less effective now, several other factors are more likely responsible:
- Your skin concern has improved, so there is less room for visible change
- External factors (season, stress, diet, hormones) have changed
- The product has degraded or expired
- Your expectations have increased as your skin improved
Consistency is key in skincare. Constantly switching products makes it harder to identify what works and can irritate your skin through constant adjustment periods. If a product is working, keep using it.
đź’Ž Pro Tip
Take progress photos monthly in consistent lighting. We see our faces every day and often miss gradual improvements. Photos provide objective evidence of whether your routine is working.
Myth 9: Drinking More Water Will Hydrate Your Skin
The Truth: While staying hydrated is important for overall health, drinking extra water does not translate directly to hydrated skin. The water you drink is distributed throughout your entire body, and only a small fraction reaches your skin—and even then, it does not necessarily reach the outer layers where dryness is visible.
Skin hydration is better addressed topically through moisturisers containing humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) that draw water into the skin, and occlusives (like ceramides and squalane) that prevent water loss.
This does not mean you should stop drinking water—dehydration is harmful to your entire body, including your skin. But if you are already adequately hydrated, drinking more water will not solve dry skin. Focus on topical hydration instead.
Myth 10: Higher SPF Means Proportionally More Protection
The Truth: The difference in protection between SPF levels is not linear. SPF 30 blocks approximately ninety-seven percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about ninety-eight percent. The improvement from SPF 30 to SPF 50 is only one percent, not a sixty-seven percent increase as the numbers might suggest.
No sunscreen blocks one hundred percent of UV rays, and high SPF numbers can create a false sense of security. People wearing SPF 100 often stay in the sun longer and reapply less frequently, potentially receiving more UV damage than someone diligently reapplying SPF 30.
What matters more than SPF number is:
- Using enough product (most people under-apply)
- Reapplying every two hours when outdoors
- Choosing broad-spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB)
- Combining sunscreen with other protective measures like hats and shade
Bonus Myth: Expensive Products Work Better Than Affordable Ones
The Truth: Price does not determine effectiveness. Many affordable products contain the same active ingredients as their luxury counterparts. You are often paying for packaging, marketing, and brand prestige rather than superior formulations.
Some expensive products are excellent, and some affordable products are ineffective—but the reverse is equally true. Judge products by their ingredients and your skin's response, not by their price tag.
Read reviews from credible sources, check ingredient lists, and remember that consistent use of an affordable product you can easily repurchase often yields better results than sporadic use of an expensive product you cannot afford to maintain.
đź’ˇ Smart Shopping
Invest in your sunscreen and any prescription treatments. Save money on basic cleansers and moisturisers. The active ingredients that matter (retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide) are available at all price points.
Conclusion
Skincare myths persist because they often contain a kernel of truth or appeal to our intuitions. But following misinformation can waste your time and money, damage your skin, and prevent you from achieving your skincare goals.
The antidote to myths is critical thinking. Question advice that lacks scientific backing. Be skeptical of claims that sound too good to be true. Remember that skincare is personal—what works for one person may not work for you, and vice versa.
Stick to the fundamentals: gentle cleansing, adequate hydration, and daily sun protection. Add targeted treatments based on your specific concerns and evidence of their effectiveness. And above all, be patient—real skin improvement takes months, not days. Your skin will thank you for abandoning the myths and embracing the science.