The Common Misconceptions about Skincare Products
by Priscila Fadul
LENDAVA INVESTIGATES:
Youthful, glowing, hydrated skin is what we’re all chasing, so we just need many great skincare products, right? Well, it’s complicated. Since the 1950s and 60s, the beauty industry has been pushing lotions because they’re generally easy to formulate and sell. However, we don’t necessarily need them. Many products might even be doing more harm than good.
There are many misconceptions about face creams and dermatologists are voicing their concerns. Keep reading to learn the truth about it and discover what beauty regime is best for you and your skin.
Does our skin need skincare products?
In short, yes - but not as much as you think. . Some dermatologists claim that we don’t need creams at all. Why? The skin’s microbiome, or barrier. The skin barrier naturally cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes itself, but only when it’s healthy.
For example, dry skin is often a sign of impaired barrier function. So first things first, fix your skin barrier using one quality moisturizer with beneficial ingredients.
Are face creams good or bad for your skin?
Face creams can provide functional skin benefits. They help make the skin smooth and soft, increase skin hydration and can deliver beneficial nutrients like vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and more. However, not all are created equal.
There are good and bad face creams. Some formulations may deteriorate the skin’s barrier and worsen conditions, whereas others improve the skin barrier function. It all depends on the ingredients and whether it works to promote your skin’s natural functions instead of replace them.
Many lesser-quality face creams were never designed to mitigate dry skin or more serious skin conditions. In fact, many don’t even provide adequate moisturizing therapy! Aka, they’re junk. Poor-quality face creams alter your skin’s natural balance of water, lipids, and proteins over time. Basically, your body stops hydrating the skin from the inside out making it rely on products. As a result, we slap on more products thinking it will help.
Hint: it doesn’t.
More skincare products does not mean better skin
Many think that the more moisturizer we use, the more effective it will be. On average, our skin only absorbs 60% of what we put on it. The remainder just sits on the surface clogging pores and suffocating our skin’s barrier.
Say it with me: less is more.
Avoid overloading your skin with extra products. You don’t need a serum and toner and eye cream, just one quality face cream that does it all. Choose brands that work with your skin. A quality face cream should have a super-potent formula packed with skin-loving, barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, antioxidants, and vitamins. One product is all you need!
Trust your own skin - it’s capable of more than you know! With fewer products and a shorter routine, you can invest that energy and money into other self-care rituals that “moisturize” your entire life, not just your face.
