By Lilyth Hansen, with Dr. Dawn Hansen
In the age of beauty influencers striding their way across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, we get a lot of advice about how we should be living our lives, cooking our food, decorating our houses and performing our beauty routines. A lot of this advice feels helpful and like you’ve stumbled upon a “hot tip,” but it also can feel daunting, expensive and, might I add, overkill.
If you’ve grown up in the internet age, surely you’ve heard, “You can’t trust everything you read online.” This sentiment applies to beauty routines, too. Let’s go over some of the most common myths in the beauty industry.
1. “GREASY FOOD CAUSES ACNE,” AND “ONLY TEENAGERS GET ACNE”
This is one of the media’s most common lies about acne. When the skin has an overproduction of sebum, an oily substance, it can cause skin inflammation known as acne. Most people (nearly 70%) believe that the oils in greasy food contribute to the oils that create acne. However, there’s no evidence to back this claim.
Additionally, acne is not just a pubescent problem. Hormones, heredity and stress significantly impact how the body operates and the onset of many skin changes, including acne. If you are well into adulthood with acne, don’t worry about it; you aren’t alone.
2. “EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS WORK BETTER”
High-end and products feel so nice to use, especially if a few of your favorite influencers use them, too. But do they work better than the drugstore options? In short, no. What a product breaks down to are the proprietary ingredients; that is, a mixture used to make a formulation. Most of the ingredients (usually the most important) found in expensive products are also found in affordable products like CeraVe and Cetaphil. Marketing makes the product expensive, not what’s in it.
3. “RETINOL IS ONLY FOR WRINKLES”
While retinol can reduce the appearance of wrinkles due to the increase of collagen production, its use is not confined to wrinkles. Retinol is beneficial for reducing the signs of sun damage, evening out skin tone and hyperpigmentation and reducing breakouts from clogged pores.
4. “YOU ONLY NEED TO USE SUNSCREEN WHEN YOU’RE OUTSIDE FOR PROLONGED PERIODS”
A pool day does call for many applications of sunscreen. However, you should wear it every day when the UV index is three or higher. This means even on cloudy days or if you’re sitting near a window (e.g., in an office or behind the windshield). Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays, which can cause skin damage, premature aging and cancer.
5. “DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES CAN BE REVERSED”
Does it look like you have shadows under your eyes and you’ve tried just about every under-eye product to get rid of them? Turns out these dark circles can be a result of genetics, getting older or an underlying condition. On a few occasions, some dark circle appearances are temporary or a sign of lifestyle choices.
A few ways to improve the appearance of dark under-eye circles are: using a cold compress, improving your quality of rest and reducing sun exposure (remember: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!).
Taking care of your skin and general wellness can seem like a lot when you’re focused on what products everyone around you is using or what the media tells you to use. The most important thing you can do to make yourself “more beautiful” is to recognize that you are beautiful the way you are.
If you choose to use products in your skincare routine, keep it simple. Luckily, the simplest products are the cheaper ones. Don’t let marketing determine what your skin needs.
If you need help selecting which products are right for you and your skin, consult with your dermatologist.
Lilyth Hansen is a freelance journalist. Reach her at (228) 697-7414 or lilythhansen@gmail.com. Dr. Dawn Hansen is a board-certified internal medicine specialist with Dermatology Specialists of Mississippi. Reach her at (228) 207-5140.
