Beauty myths debunked and busted. Uncover the most common beauty misconceptions and the truth behind the best and worst things to do.
Beauty myths are formed by misconceptions related to skincare, hair and the body, believed to be the best options in looking after yourself. However, despite this they are incorrect and often can be causing more damage than good even though they have become so popular.
Here are seven of the most common found beauty myths and misconceptions and the truth behind them.
1. Oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser
Whilst this is a common misconception, considering the fact that facial moisturisers tend to contain certain oils, this is untrue.
Oily skin actually may need more moisturiser than dry or combination skin. This can be due to the fact that your skin will typically overproduce oil when it is trying to compensate for not having enough moisture.
Dermatologists have mentioned that moisturisers don’t add water to your skin, but rather help hold the water in the outer layer of your skin to keep it hydrated.
So next time you feel some excess oil has produced on your skin, do not take this as a sign to skip moisturiser, but rather prioritise it and keep a consistent skincare routine.
2. You don’t need to exfoliate
This includes your face as well as your body, and it is a complete myth. Exfoliation is important whether you feel your skin is dry or not. When you exfoliate, you remove any dead skin cells and allow for your skin to feel smooth and supple.
This includes using a more intense scrub for your body or an exfoliating mit, and an exfoliating cleanser for your face to remove dead skin cells all over.
While it is a myth that you don’t need to exfoliate at all, it is true that you only should 1-2 times a week to ensure you don’t damage your skin and allow for the healthy turnover of skin cells.
3. The order that you use your skincare products in doesn’t matter
This is another myth and the order of your skincare products is essential in ensuring they each work effectively and well absorbed.
The best order for your skincare is ensuring you use your thinnest products in the morning, including any serums and light moisturiser. Cleansing is always first, then followed by toner and/or serums. Sunscreen should always be the last skincare product you apply during the day before any makeup.
At night, it’s important to use makeup remover and facial oils first before cleansing, to remove any excess dirt and debris from during the day.
Then follow the same order as in the morning, leaving out sunscreen. It’s also best to use a thicker moisturiser at night so your skin has more time to soak up the extra moisture.
4. All chemical ingredients are bad
Another common beauty misconception is that the use of chemicals in skincare and hair products are not good for you. Whilst this is the case for some particular chemicals, most ingredients in the products you use are technically some kind of chemical, it’s just about choosing the right ones.
For skincare, there are many chemicals you should avoid including parabens which can be used as preservatives and have been linked to hormone disruption which can cause breakouts. However, chemicals such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and retinol are all positive options that you should look for in skincare products, to help with healthy skin function.
In hair products, chemicals such as sulfates and parabens are negative and should be avoided. However, chemicals like antioxidants and proteins like keratin, as well as ingredients of natural oils such as argan and jojoba oil, are all great for your hair in supporting health and shine.
The idea of all chemicals being ‘bad’ is therefore another common beauty myth that should be addressed more frequently.
5. You should only shower once a day for a short amount of time
Another common misconception is short showers once a day. This is a myth, as long as you keep on top of moisturising your face and body.
Whilst showering often can cause your skin to dry out, if you moisturise after every shower you take, you are actually locking in the moisture you receive from being in the shower and adding to this with the lotion you apply.
So next time you’re contemplating having that extra shower to finish off the day, go for it and make sure you moisturise, and your body will thank you later.
6. Dandruff signifies a dry scalp
Beauty myth number 6 is one many tend to struggle to believe and it is that dandruff is actually not the meaning of having a dry scalp. The truth is, dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia which feeds on natural oils produced by the scalp.
So whilst dandruff can still occur whilst having a dry scalp, it actually is caused by the oil production overall.
Using tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar is a great natural fix for dandruff, or products which contain antifungal ingredients like zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide will work against it also. This will ensure your hair stays healthy and shiny.
7. You can train your hair to produce less oil
One of the most common hair care myths is that you are able to train your hair by washing it less so that it produces less oil and less frequently. This is completely untrue as the oil produced in hair roots is dependent on the scalp’s natural sebum production.
This is influenced by hormones, genetics, and overall health. There is no one way to prevent oil production, however using particular clarifying shampoos such as Aveda Scalp Solutions Balancing Shampoo can help to prevent oil production. Also, sticking to a healthy diet and lifestyle will overall positively influence your hair health and therefore the amount of oil produced and how frequently.
