Posted by: Skin And Cancer Institute in Medical Dermatology
At the Skin and Cancer Institute, we believe true beauty begins with honesty. Skin Care Myths shouldn’t cloud your judgement when beautiful skin is at stake. We’ll debunk some skincare myths to help you getting better skin.
- Natural Ingredients Are Always Safe
With Nara Smith’s beef tallow sunscreen taking the beauty world by storm, the obsession with natural skin care has reached new heights. But before you jump on the bandwagon, it’s crucial to understand that natural doesn’t always mean safe.
The allure of “all-natural” products can be dangerously misleading. While natural ingredients might sound wholesome, they come with often overlooked risks. Plant extracts, essential oils, and animal-based ingredients like beef tallow can cause severe skin reactions.
These natural compounds can be highly potent, and their effects are unpredictable, especially when used in high concentrations or mixed with other active ingredients.
Don’t be misled by the hype. A “natural” label doesn’t guarantee safety or effectiveness. Approach skincare trends with caution—your skin deserves informed, careful decisions, not risks.
Before introducing new products into your skincare routine, visit our clinic for a comprehensive skin evaluation. Our expert dermatologists are here to guide you in making informed and safe choices for your skin.
- Applying Sunscreen Causes Vitamin D Deficiency
Slathering on sunscreen does not lead to vitamin D deficiency. This myth is more fiction than fact. Sunscreen is your skin’s superhero, protecting you from harmful UV rays and reducing your risk of skin cancer.
Sunscreen blocks UVB rays, which are responsible for burning your skin and contributing to skin cancer. However, it doesn’t completely shut down your skin’s ability to produce vitamin D. Your skin still makes some vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, just not at the levels that could put your health at risk.
In reality, you’d have to slather on sunscreen in such quantities that it would be practically impossible to maintain throughout the day to affect vitamin D production significantly.
For most people, a balanced diet and reasonable sun exposure—while wearing sunscreen—are enough to keep vitamin D levels healthy. If you’re concerned about your vitamin D, chat with your doctor or dermatologist. They can offer personalized advice and may suggest supplements if needed.
So, enjoy the sun responsibly and keep your skin protected—no need to worry about your vitamin D levels taking a hit.
- Toothpaste Treats Pimples
Before Nara Smith’s iconic but risky beef tallow sunscreen, there was another viral skincare myth that captured our attention during the golden era of YouTube: the belief that a dab of toothpaste could magically make acne disappear overnight.
This misconception spread like wildfire, with countless beauty gurus swearing by it as a quick fix for breakouts. But behind the appeal of a seemingly straightforward remedy lies a harsh truth.
Toothpaste, made to clean and whiten teeth, contains harsh ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, and alcohol. While it might initially dry out pimples, it can also irritate the skin, stripping away natural oils and causing redness, peeling, and even painful burns.
The alcohol content aggressively dries out the skin, disrupting its natural barrier and potentially causing more breakouts in the long run. What’s worse, using toothpaste on your skin can exacerbate inflammation, making pimples angrier and more persistent.
Instead, choose products designed for breakouts, like those with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil. These ingredients are scientifically proven to treat acne without the harmful side effects of toothpaste.
In the quest for clear skin, stick to facts, not fads. Rely on proven treatments and consult a dermatologist for persistent issues. Your skin deserves more than risky shortcuts.
- Skincare Products Need to Tingle or Burn to Work
Speaking of inflammation, the belief that skincare products must tingle or burn to be working is a common myth.
Sensations like tingling or burning do not necessarily indicate that a skincare product is effective. These sensations often signal irritation or inflammation, particularly for sensitive skin. Such reactions can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and lead to adverse effects rather than beneficial outcomes.
Something that should be improving your skin’s health shouldn’t be adding more to the list of your concerns, right?
Effective skincare should aim to improve your skin’s health gently and progressively. If a product causes discomfort, it may be too harsh or unsuitable for your skin type.
Always look for products with a balanced formulation and consult a dermatologist if you experience persistent irritation. Your skin’s health is best supported by products that work harmoniously with your skin, not those that cause unnecessary irritation.
- Retinol Makes Skin Thinner
The belief that retinol thins the skin is rooted in a misunderstanding of skin terminology.
Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is well-regarded for its ability to improve skin texture and tone. It increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, leading to healthier, more resilient skin.
Retinoids primarily target the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis made up of dead skin cells. A thicker stratum corneum often indicates sluggish cell turnover, resulting in rough texture and prominent wrinkles. Retinol helps to refine and compact this layer, leading to smoother skin, reduced texture, and diminished wrinkles.
Initially, you might experience peeling or flaking as your skin adjusts to the increased cell turnover. This temporary shedding can mistakenly be interpreted as thinning skin.
However, rest assured: retinol does not thin your skin. Instead, it rejuvenates it, promoting a healthier, more vibrant appearance.
- Exfoliating Daily Gives You Smoother Skin
Does anyone else remember the St. Ives scrub era? Just me?
No one practiced weird skincare hacks like millennials in the 2010s. Beef tallow girlies have nothing compared to the chokehold St. Ives face scrubs had on millennial girlies.
Rumor has it – their skin barriers are still healing from that trauma. Yikes!
Exfoliating too frequently can damage your skin rather than improve it. The outermost layer of your skin, known as the stratum corneum, needs time to recover and maintain its natural barrier function.
Exfoliating daily can strip away essential oils and disrupt the skin barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, and increased sensitivity. Instead of achieving smoother skin, you may end up with redness, peeling, and more pronounced skin issues.
For best results, exfoliate 2-3 times a week with a gentle product suited to your skin type. This approach helps remove dead skin cells without overloading your skin, promoting a healthier, more radiant complexion.
- Lip Balms Are Addictive
Lip balms aren’t packed with addictive substances and won’t make you physically dependent. But why does it feel like you just have to keep applying them? Here’s the scoop:
Saliva—yes, the stuff that helps you digest food—has enzymes that can slowly wear down the surface of your lips, leading to dryness. This can spark a cycle where you’re constantly reaching for that balm to soothe the discomfort.
If your lips are perpetually dry or chapped, it’s not about addiction; it’s a response to environmental factors or skin issues. So, don’t panic—it’s not a balm conspiracy.
For healthier lips, drink plenty of water and opt for balms with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, or lanolin. And if your lips still aren’t happy despite your best efforts, it’s time to consult a dermatologist to uncover any underlying issues. Your lips deserve the best care, not a relentless cycle!
Can’t judge someone for loving their lip balm collection now, can we?
Top Skin Care Myths Busted by Las Vegas Dermatologists
Many popular skin care beliefs are often more myth than fact. Las Vegas dermatologists are here to set the record straight on common misconceptions. From the overuse of certain products to misleading advice about natural remedies, understanding the truth behind these myths can help you achieve healthier, more radiant skin.
This article was a rollercoaster ride of a day debunking all those myths. To answer more of your skin queries, don’t forget to drop by the Skin and Cancer Institute. Our dermatologists love debunking such myths and offering your skin the expert help it requires!