When it comes to skincare (from acids to humectants, to high-frequency devices) the knowledge that expert and author, Paula Begoun has is golden… Which is why she’s known to many as the “Cosmetics Cop” and is the founder of the famous cruelty-free skincare brand, Paula’s Choice. Today, everything you see on digital media (I’m talking Instagram, YouTube and TikTok) isn’t everything know the deep and dark world of skincare—however much content creators seems to dispense the knowledge.
I’m gonna lay it all out right now… I love Paula—her aura, her passion for fashskincare and just how she simplifies products and its ingredients. So today we have a list of 7 myths that she’s debunking for us, so that once and for all you can carve your own skincare journey the right way!
Myth #1: Scrubbing skin is great for exfoliation and unclogging pores.
Truth:
Using an abrasive scrub, rough cleansing brush, or a loofah generates inflammation and causes micro-tears in the skin’s surface, leading to a litany of problems including collagen breakdown, redness, dehydration, increased breakouts, and a weakened outer barrier so skin becomes more susceptible to environmental damage. A gentle AHA or BHA exfoliant is the better way to go for healthy, resilient skin.
Myth #2: A cool, tingling sensation means a product is working.
Truth:
A cooling or tingling sensation is your skin telling you it’s being sensitised, irritated, and inflamed and none of that is helpful. Even if you don’t see the irritation on the surface of skin, research has shown it is still happening below the surface destroying collagen, elastin, and other support components and increasing breakouts and other skin problems.
Myth #3: Your skin adapts to products you use so they eventually stop working.
Truth:
Skin doesn’t adapt to skincare products any more than your body adapts to a healthy diet. Spinach and grapes are healthy for you today, and they’ll continue to be healthy for you months and years from now, even if you eat them every day. The same is true for your skin. As long as you are applying what’s beneficial for skin (and avoiding things that harm skin such as unprotected sun exposure) there is no reason to change.
Myth #4: Skin repairs itself best at night.
Truth:
Research shows just the opposite is true: Skin actually heals better during the day than it does at night because. During the day because you are moving around more, increasing blood flow and oxygen intake that stimulates healing far more than just lying still in bed does.
Myth #5: Sheet masks help ingredients absorb.
Truth:
Simply put, sheet masks are a waste of your time. There is no research showing they have any advantage over using well formulated skincare products and they don’t help ingredients absorb. Skincare ingredients absorb primarily based on their molecular size and the product’s delivery system. Plus, you don’t need every ingredient to absorb at the same level. The best products are formulated in a way that some ingredients remain on the surface to protect skin from environmental damage, others absorb a bit more to restore hydration and skin’s defense substances, and others penetrate even deeper where they can repair and renew living skin cells.
Myth #6: Natural ingredients are better for skin.
Truth:
Research makes it abundantly clear that while there are lots of brilliant natural ingredients for the skin, there are also lots of natural ingredients that are irritating and damaging to the skin, and these show up in skincare products all the time. On the other hand, there are lots of lab-engineered ingredients that are brilliant for skin and work far better for skin than natural ones do. The best products contain a combination of both the best natural ingredient and best synthetic ingredients!
Myth #7: Essential oils are great for treating many skin concerns.
Truth:
Some components of essential oils are indeed beneficial for the skin, but unfortunately essential oils are also comprised of volatile, fragrant compounds that cause skin inflammation. Non-fragrant plant oils such as jojoba, sunflower, argon, acacia, and most berry oils are a far better choice as they impart skin benefits without the negative inflammatory impact.
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