Gone are the days when using a single moisturizer for the entire body sufficed. Today, our expectations and life’s challenges have grown, making healthy and radiant skin a far more demanding goal.
We’ve become acquainted with our skin and identified ingredients that specifically target various skin conditions and types. Skin care is crucial, but to avoid worsening its condition, it’s essential to be cautious about the information we receive daily through advertising campaigns and social media. Knowing your skin type, its needs, and the ingredients and rules of their use is paramount.
A currently popular ingredient may not be suitable for your skin’s needs or may not be compatible with the products you’re currently using. As a physician who has found her passion in anti-aging medicine and aesthetics, I’ve been working with skin for many years and have encountered various myths. I understand that it’s challenging but extremely important in today’s abundance of online information to distinguish what works from what is true.
Let me share some of the myths I’ve come across:
Myth 1: All skincare products are the same, so you can use the cheapest one.
Fact: Not all skincare products are created equal. Inexpensive products may contain harmful ingredients that can damage your skin. It’s crucial to read ingredient lists and use products suitable for your skin type. Personally, I emphasize proper care for my skin and carefully select the products I use. Since becoming available in Croatia, I’ve been using the NassifMD Skincare product line. I’m thrilled with the ingredients, effectiveness, and functionality of the products developed by one of the world’s most renowned plastic surgeons, Dr. Paul Nassif.
Myth 2: Washing your face more than twice a day will dry out your skin.
Fact: Not necessarily. If you have oily skin, more frequent washing can help control excess sebum production. It’s essential to use gentle cleansers and follow up with moisturizers to prevent dryness.
I use a moisturizer that keeps my skin hydrated and radiant without leaving an oily residue. It’s an oil-free formula that helps combat damage caused by free radicals and soothes the skin.
Myth 3: Oily skin doesn’t need hydration.
Fact: Cleansers often remove natural oils from the skin, making it essential to apply a protective layer through a moisturizer. Regardless of your skin type, moisturizers are a “must-have” in your daily skincare routine. For oily skin, lightweight fluids are recommended, while dry skin benefits from richer moisturizers.
Myth 4: Daily use of makeup is not recommended.
Fact: There are no rules stating that makeup should not be applied daily. What’s essential is to cleanse your face regularly and remove impurities and makeup every evening before bedtime. Choose products that are gentle and non-comedogenic, meaning they don’t clog pores.
Myth 5: Toothpaste helps with acne.
Fact: You may have heard the myth that toothpaste can treat acne. However, while it may work for some, it’s not scientifically proven. Toothpaste is designed for teeth, not the skin, and applying it can cause irritation, redness, and skin damage.
Myth 6: Drinking enough water will keep your skin hydrated.
Fact: Hydrating your skin is not directly linked to water intake. While increased water consumption positively affects overall health and metabolic processes, it doesn’t directly hydrate your skin. Dehydration can negatively impact your entire body, including your skin. To maintain hydrated skin, it’s recommended to avoid dry environments and use gentle cleansers and moisturizers, such as those containing hyaluronic acid.
Myth 7: Men don’t need to use moisturizers.
Fact: Using moisturizers is not exclusive to women. Moisturizers nourish the skin and maintain its moisture content. They are beneficial for men just as much as for women.
Myth 8: You can skip SPF sunscreen if you don’t plan to be in the sun.
Fact: Even if you don’t intend to spend time in the sun, it’s essential to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. UV rays penetrate through clouds and glass, so sunscreen is necessary year-round, not just in the summer.
Skin reflects our overall health
These are just a few myths related to skincare, but the internet is full of misguided advice. It’s crucial to listen to expert guidance and use products suitable for your skin type. Achieving healthy and radiant skin involves starting with a proper diet and adequate hydration. Through food, we provide essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for our overall health. Our skin is our largest organ, and it manifests all the issues we have within our bodies, including digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and more.
A professional skin assessment provides insight into your skin’s condition and offers guidance for skincare. To achieve flawless skin, we have a range of products, treatments, and devices available. Most commonly, my patients come for injectable treatments such as Botox and hyaluronic fillers. People often mix up the terms Botox and filler, but despite being complementary treatments, they are entirely different products with distinct mechanisms of action.
Botulinum toxin is a purified protein that works at the nerve-muscle junction and blocks muscle contraction. It’s used to treat dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. Fillers are dermal fillers used to restore lost volume and correct facial contours. We most frequently use hyaluronic fillers.
In addition to the aesthetic treatments we provide in the clinic, it’s essential to care for your skin at home. Use dermatologically tested skincare products that contain quality ingredients.”
