Top 5 Common Skincare Myths

When it comes to taking care of your skin, it may be hard to separate fact from fiction, especially with so many skin care articles floating around.

Fortunately, we have put together five of the biggest myths that will help to make your skin care routine a little easier - and your skin a lot happier!

You don’t need sunscreen in cold weather

Whoever told you that sunscreen is only needed on sunny, summer days is either playing a prank on you or needs a lesson in skin care ASAP!

One of the main causes of premature skin aging is the UV rays of the sun, so your best defense is to slather on the SPF all year long. Just because it’s chilly or cloudy outside, that doesn’t mean the sun isn’t damaging to your skin, because UV rays can still pass through clouds. The biggest surprise of all though, is that you can still get sunburn when there’s snow on the ground! The reason for this is because the snow reflects light from the sun, meaning that your skin is getting double the exposure - from the sun and the snow. If you don’t believe us, then just go look at the incredible tans (and sunburns!) skiers and snowboarders get while out on the slopes.

Obagi offers a wide range of sunscreens so you have no excuse to not cover up!

If your skin is oily, you should skip the moisturizer

We’ve heard this one often, but if you’re struggling with oily skin, then your skin may still be in need of a moisturizer.

By skipping the moisturizer, your skin may try to make up for the lack of moisture in the skin by creating its own, in the form of sebum, but unfortunately, the skin can over-compensate by producing too much. The end result is even oilier skin with an increased risk of breakouts.

If you’re using the right products for your skin, then you can’t go wrong. One of our favorite moisturizers for all skin types (dry or oily) is Obagi Hydrate®, which is non-comedogenic and provides 8-hour moisturization with innovative technology and naturally derived ingredients, including shea butter, mango butter, and avocado.

Diet doesn’t affect your skin

You certainly are what you eat - everything you put into your body will have an effect on your skin.

A poor diet can not only affect your waistline and decrease your energy levels, but it can also show up on your face as a dull complexion. For example, sugar is known to change the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin,1 leaving you prone to skin that ages faster. And there’s no argument that alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your body and skin.

ELASTIderm® Facial Serum with patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex™ helps support skin elasticity so it can bounce back from the signs of aging, resulting in firmer-looking, more resilient skin.

The best diet is well-balanced with antioxidant-rich foods to help defend against free radicals, and foods rich in omega-3 to help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin.

You should start using skin care products when wrinkles appear

If you’re waiting for the signs of skin aging to appear before you invest in skin care products, please keep reading.

You may have heard that prevention is better than cure and this couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to your skin. By starting to use products targeted towards the appearance of lines and wrinkles in your twenties or even sooner, before the signs of skin aging have manifested, you set a great foundation to ensure your skin ages beautifully and gracefully with minimal lines and wrinkles.

Of course, harsher products are generally reserved for more mature skin, but it wouldn’t hurt to start using a good retinol cream and eye cream in your twenties or sooner. Also, be mindful that there are many factors that contribute to aging skin, and lifestyle factors along with healthy skin care rituals are your best defense in the fight against the signs of skin aging.

Hot water is best for opening up the pores

Hot water may feel great in the shower, but unfortunately, it’s not so great for your skin. While hot water does open the pores, it’s recommended through steaming the skin, not putting hot water directly on your skin!

Hot water on the skin will dry the skin out by stripping it of beneficial oils, and no amount of product will make up for this lack of moisture. Always rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry before applying your products. Leave the steaming to the professionals at your next facial!

We hope this blog helped debunk some of the common skin care myths you may have heard, and provided some useful tips that can help set you up for a good skin care regimen.

^{Source: Obagi}