Let’s be honest—the skincare world is exhausting. One day you’re told to scrub your face into oblivion, and the next, you’re told that even looking at a physical exfoliant is a sin. Between the 10-step tutorials and the "clean beauty" craze, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing everything wrong.
The truth? Most of the "rules" we see online are just myths that won't go away. If you’re ready to simplify your routine and actually help your skin, let’s clear the air on these five common misconceptions.
1. The "I’m just staying inside" SPF excuse
We’ve all done it. You’re working from home, the weather is grey, and you figure your skin is safe. But here’s the annoying reality: UVA rays (the ones that cause aging and sunspots) are long-range. They pass right through window glass.
The Reality: If you’re sitting near a window or driving a car, the sun is reaching you. Slap on that SPF 30 every morning—it’s the easiest anti-aging move you’ll ever make.
2. Thinking you can scrub your way to "perfect" skin
There’s a weirdly satisfying feeling that comes with a gritty face scrub, but your skin isn't a kitchen floor. You can’t "clean" away acne. In fact, over-exfoliating usually triggers a panic response in your skin, leading to more oil, more redness, and more breakouts.
The Reality: Put down the daily scrub. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant (like lactic or salicylic acid) just twice a week. Your moisture barrier will thank you.
3. "Just drink more water and your skin will glow."
I’m all for staying hydrated, but let’s stop pretending a gallon of water is a substitute for a good moisturizer. If your skin barrier is damaged, that water is just going to evaporate off your skin.
The Reality: Think of water as the "filler" and moisturizer as the "seal." You need both. Use products with ceramides to help your skin actually hold onto the hydration you’re giving it.
4. Waiting to "grow out" of acne
There is this myth that once you hit 25, your skin suddenly clears up like magic. If only! Adult acne is a real, persistent thing, and it’s usually tied to hormones or stress. Using "teen" products on adult skin often just makes things worse because they’re too drying.
The Reality: Acne doesn't care about your age. If you're still breaking out, it’s not because you’re "unclean"—it’s likely hormonal. Swap the harsh "spot treatments" for something that supports your skin’s health overall.
5. The "Natural is always better" trap
"Chemical-free" is my favorite marketing lie because, technically, even water and air are chemicals. A lot of "natural" DIY hacks—like using lemon juice as a brightener—are actually incredibly acidic and can cause chemical burns. Meanwhile, lab-stabilized ingredients like Niacinamide are designed to give you results without the irritation.
The Reality: "Natural" doesn't mean "safe," and "synthetic" doesn't mean "toxic." Focus on what is effective for your specific skin concerns, not what looks like it came from a farmer's market.
At the end of the day, your skin is a living organ, not a project to be "fixed." Usually, when we stop chasing every trend and get back to the basics—cleanse, moisturize, protect—our skin finally starts to calm down.