Thanks to social media, there’s more skin care information available at your fingertips than ever before. On TikTok, videos using #SkincareRoutine have racked up 24.1 billion views! Becoming more informed as a consumer is empowering and has the potential to aid you in making better choices for your skin’s needs – but not everything that hits your social feed is accurate. With misinformation about skincare so prevalent, we want to help clear things up. If your goal is a radiant, healthy-looking complexion, here are five skin care myths you deserve to know now.
Myth: You don’t need SPF in the winter.
Fact: UVA and UVB rays don’t take a season off, which means neither should your SPF. All skin types and tones need sun protection year-round. A large portion of UV rays can penetrate through clouds, fog and glass (aka your living room window). Additional warning to outdoor enthusiasts, they can also bounce off snowy surfaces which intensifies exposure and can be stronger at higher altitudes, like on the slopes. Protecting your skin from free radical damage caused by sun exposure is a daily must-do and one of the most underrated skin care steps. The most effective AM routine starts with a Vitamin C serum for an antioxidant boost and ends with an application of 1/3 to ½ a teaspoon of sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 to face and neck.
Myth: Pores can open and close.
Fact: While pores are best described as microscopic openings on our skin’s surface they don’t operate like windows. Pores cannot be opened and closed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t influence their appearance through your skincare routine. If your pores look enlarged, clingy dead skin cells and excess sebum are likely to blame. These substances can build up in a pore and stretch out its shape. Adding an exfoliating cream that contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHA) to your skincare routine will help slough off dead skin cells and reduce blemishes. By reducing congestion and keeping pores clear, this can make pores look smaller. This ‘shrinking’ effect leads to a smoother texture, too.
Myth: Dark circles are only caused by lack of sleep.
Fact: A good night’s rest will always make you look and feel brighter, but a snooze rarely has the power to banish dark circles completely. That’s because the very common (and equally challenging) concern can be caused by many factors. Not enough sleep is on the list, but so is genetics, allergies, dehydration, hyperpigmentation and more. The natural aging process also plays a big role. As we age the fatty tissue in the eye area can become diminished, causing shadow-capturing hollows to develop, and the skin becomes even thinner which allows blood vessels under the skin to be more visible. To brighten eyes, reinforce your beauty sleep with an eye cream that contains Vitamin K, a healing ingredient that’s been shown to minimize dark circles.
Myth: Natural skin care products are better for you.
Fact: There’s a lot to unpack in this false claim. First, there’s no denying that natural, organic and botanical ingredients can offer some degree of skin benefits. But there’s also plenty of ingredients that come straight from Mother Nature you wouldn’t dare touch. Poison ivy, anyone? Plus, it pays to understand that many natural elements are simply better tolerated by skin when they’re formulated with other ingredients, such as tea tree oil which should never be applied directly to skin. Pharmaceutical products, which are controlled by Health Canada or the FDA, undergo rigorous levels of safety testing and regulation that differ from the mandate for products classified as natural. It is important to do your homework and educate yourself before putting anything on your skin.
Myth: Retinol isn’t necessary until age 40.
Fact: Though we may not spot the effects until a decade later, our collagen levels naturally start depleting around the big 3-0. A key component of a hydrated, smooth and firm complexion are ingredients that support collagen production. This can help to minimize dehydrated or sagging skin, rough texture, and fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is up to the task! Incorporating a low concentration retinol into your skincare routine in your thirties can act as a preventative measure against premature aging, while also keeping hyperpigmentation (think: age spots) in check. Watch this space to learn more about an exciting new retinol formula joining the Vivier line up this fall.
Social media has transformed how we share beauty info, but knowledge is power. By seeking out skincare truths from trusted sources, and questioning bold statements, you’ll find yourself that much closer to achieving your best skin yet.
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