Think you know everything there is about taking care of your skin? The internet has done a great job of that! Social media and the growth of the web has made it even easier for us to spread ideas and learn more about what we love, but the truth is that it’s also opened up a pathway for loads of misinformation to be spread. Unfortunately for all of us, there are more than a few skin care myths and hacks floating around that aren’t exactly, well, true. 

Without further ado, here’s 5 common skin care myths, debunked!

MYTH #1: OILY SKIN DOESN’T NEED MOISTURIZER

The truth is, if your skin is overproducing oil, it may actually be dehydrated. And oily skin is probably acne-prone as well, so using a daily moisturizer might sound counterintuitive, but that’s a skin care myth. Won’t a moisturizer clog my pores and make me break out?, you may ask. Not if you choose the right one! Make sure to choose a lightweight moisturizer that infuses your skin with hydration without potential pore-clogging ingredients. Avoid silicones and heavy emollients like butters and oils, which are better suited for dry skin.

Tricky combination skin is actually what inspired our lightweight gel-like Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer. It’s made with loads of pure watermelon extract that infuse skin with hydration, sinking into skin without ever feeling heavy.

MYTH #2: YOU ONLY NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN WHEN THE SUN IS OUT

Not only is this skin care myth untrue, but following this myth over time could lead to tons of skin damage.

Let’s start by breaking down exactly how sun damage occurs. Your skin needs some sun exposure to help create vitamin D. Melanin, a pigment in your skin, naturally protects you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. However, too much exposure to the sun’s UV light can burn the skin, which over time reduces its ability to produce the protein elastin. This in turn can lead to premature aging. In extreme cases, repeated sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, when we don’t see or feel the sun shining directly on us, its ultraviolet rays are still reaching us, and those are the light rays that can cause damage.

The bottom line? Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day, and don’t forget to reapply every two hours. Sunscreen should be the last step of your daytime skin care routine, after your moisturizer and before makeup. It also doesn’t hurt to wear makeup with added SPF too, but that should be extra!

MYTH #2: THE HARDER YOU SCRUB, THE CLEANER YOUR SKIN WILL BE

The truth is that using harsh, physical scrubs or exfoliants can damage your skin’s protective barrier and lead to redness, irritation and infections like acne.

This is why we love the K-beauty method of chemical exfoliation over physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants, which you’ll find in the form of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, break down the glue that holds your skin cells together, or help to disperse oil and dirt that clog your pores. We recommend avoiding harsh micro-beads or shells because they can cause micro-tears on the surface of your skin, leading to long-lasting damage. 

Another thing to note is that after cleansing, your skin should not feel tight or squeaky clean, even after all of the dirt and makeup has been removed. If you love that squeaky-clean feeling an exfoliating cleanser gives you, look for one that uses gentle chemical exfoliants and non-stripping surfactants. We may be a bit biased, but our Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser is a great option! 

MYTH #4: HOT WATER CLEANS YOUR SKIN BETTER

The reality is that super-hot water actually dries out your skin. This is another factor that can damage your skin’s protective barrier and lead to inflammation, excessive dryness, overproduction of oil and more issues. 

 It’s also a fact that your pores don’t open and close like some people say they do. Gentle steam may loosen any build-up deep inside your pores, but heat doesn’t physically cause their openings to expand. This also means that cold water can’t shrink the openings of your pores, either. The best course of action is to make sure you’re washing your face with lukewarm water, even in the shower.

Check out our deep dive into how exactly pores work on our YouTube channel.

MYTH #5: MY SKIN IS TOO SENSITIVE TO USE RETINOL

If your skin is sensitive, it may be a sign that your skin barrier is compromised, so be sure to treat it with extra care.

Retinol is a wonder-ingredient that works at the cellular level to increase skin cell turnover, produce new layers of skin even faster, and essentially rejuvenates skin from the inside out. A particular member of the vitamin A family, prescription retinoids, can have intense side effects like flaking and irritation. Those with sensitive skin should look for less potent but still effective formulations, such as encapsulated retinol.

We included encapsulated retinol in our new Avocado Retinol line because we wanted to make sure even the most sensitive skin types could use and benefit from this ingredient. By encapsulating an active ingredient like retinol, allows smaller doses of the ingredient to be delivered over time, making it much easier for sensitive skin to tolerate.

If you know your skin is sensitive, start out slowly and build up your retinol usage over time. You can also apply it at night, giving your skin time to calm down, and even apply it over your night moisturizer to keep any flaking or drying at bay. Also be sure to avoid other irritating ingredients, like alcohol-based toners, exfoliating acids or harsh scrubs. To learn more about all things retinol, watch this video.

The bottom line? Don’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes to your skin!