5 Skincare Myths You Probably Believe

You guys might have seen my recent Facebook Live event in partnership with Neutrogena and LA based dermatologist, Dr. Chipps! I learned a lot from Dr. Chipps and I worked with Neutrogena to share some of the common skincare myths that are out there and how you really should be taking care of your skin! Skincare is one of those things that seems really complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Read on to find out the truth about skincare, plus some advice from Dr. Chipps!  (But don’t forget to ask your dermatologist if you have any specific questions!)

Skincare Myths

MYTH 1: You don’t need to start worrying about anti-aging until you start to show signs of aging.

FACT: Prevention is far more effective than a cure!

It can be hard to retroactively erase fine lines and sunspots, but you can work to take care of your skin before signs of aging even begin to appear! Wearing sunscreen and using creams like Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream with retinol can work to boost collagen in the second layer of skin, while stimulating cell turnover of the first layer of skin. Combined with the thick, moisturizing consistency of the cream, it helps keep skin looking youthful! Dr. Chipps even mentioned that she recommends preventative anti-aging for teenaged patients, but make sure to discuss the best options for you with your dermatologist!

MYTH 2: What you eat doesn’t affect your skin.

FACT: Your diet does have an impact on your skin.

Eating healthy foods (especially water rich foods like fruits and veggies) can help your skin retain moisture and look more youthful. On the flip side, eating poorly can contribute to more frequent breakouts. Of course there are a lot of other factors that go into your complexion, like genetics, but eating healthily definitely helps!

MYTH 3: You only need to wear sunscreen when it’s sunny outside.

FACT: UVA rays can still reach your skin even if it’s cloudy.

Clouds can protect your skin from UVB rays, but it’s really UVA rays that can do the most damage, and those are not blocked by clouds. UVA rays can penetrate deep into your second layer of skin (the dermis) and damage the cells there, which can cause visible signs of aging as well as skin cancer. Make sure to wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ every day to block both UVA and UVB rays.

MYTH 4: A tan glow is healthy.

FACT: Tans are a sign of damage to skin cells!

Like a sunburn, a tan is a sign of skin damage and can contribute to signs of aging as well as skin cancers. You should be wearing broad spectrum sunscreen that is at least SPF 30+ on exposed skin when you’re outside. If you want a sunkissed glow, you can use self tanners, which are safe. (A little bit of bronzer can help as well!)

MYTH 5: You need lots of products to take care of your skin.

FACT: For a basic routine, you need just three products!

According to Dr. Chipps, a basic but complete skincare routine involves gentle cleanser, sunscreen, and a night cream. You can even combine an anti-aging cream with your night cream if you use one with retinol, like the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream, which works since it’s super thick and moisturizing! Of course you can use more skincare products like toners and serums, but those three are the most essential!

For more on skincare, I have tons of posts that you can check out here! Were you guilty of believing any of these skincare myths? Tell me in the comments!

Thanks to Neutrogena for partnering with me on this post!