Skincare Myths You Should Stop Believing

Expensive moisturizers don’t actually work better than cheap ones.

Dermatologists say that Vaseline is probably the best moisturizer anyone can use instead of those other high priced solutions you will find everywhere. They recommend blotting your face dry instead of rubbing then immediately applying Vaseline or moisturizers like Eucerin or Cetaphil.

Not all natural products are safe to put on your skin.

Just because something is organic or from the earth does not mean it is safe to rub all over your skin. Poison Ivy and Arsenic are natural. Would you want to rub that all over your skin? One thing that boys especially should avoid is anything with tea tree oil in it. Tea tree oil is estrogenic and boys who use it can start growing breasts.

Most dermatologists will tell you that over the counter products are best as they have been made and tested to specifically be used on your skin, but if you are dead set on using all natural products mixing honey, coconut oil, and aloe is best as they are all antibacterials. As always, test on a small patch of skin before slathering your whole face with anything.

Treating blackheads with lemon juice is a bad idea.

Lemon juice is more harmful than helpful. It is an irritant and citrus juices can burn your skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

You don’t actually need to wash your face multiple times a day.

Over washing your hands or face can cause dryness and irritation. It removes the natural oils off of the skin and can lead to rashes. Don't take this as saying to not wash your hands...just do not do it too often. Wash your face before bed to remove any dirt and makeup and only wash your hands when they are dirty like after using the bathroom or preparing food.

You probably don’t need to use a toner.

Toner is great for people with oily skin as it is something that can over-dry your skin, so only use it on oily areas. Stay away from the dry areas of your face.

Cellulite creams won’t firm your skin back up.

Cellulite is something that just happens no matter your weight, gender, ethnicity, exercise level or diet. It is seriously hard to get rid of. "Cellulite is irregularly shaped fat that is attached to the skin by bands called septae, which results in a dimpling appearance," says Melissa K. Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and physician at Marmur Medical in New York.

There is really no hope that any cream can actually change the fat deposits or break up the septae. But, if you are desperate to try to get rid of your cellulite, dermatologist recommend trying cryolipolysis or micro needling which break up the septae.

The SPF in your makeup (or moisturizer) might not provide enough protection from the sun.

Most makeup companies make tinted moisturizers that have an SPF of 15 or 20. This is just not high enough to really protect your skin from damaging UV rays. You want to find products that have broad spectrum coverage with at least an SPF of 30.

There’s no rule that says you should start using anti-aging products in your 20s.

Everyone ages differently. It all depends on sun exposure and damage, genetics, smoking history, ethnic background, and tanning bed usage. If you want to take care of your skin and prevent signs of aging, dermatologists recommend using a daily moisturizer with sunscreen no matter what your age is.

You should never, ever use hand sanitizer on your face to tone down oily skin.

Never do this no matter what popular beauty blogger tells you that it works! Sanitizer contains alcohol or triclosan which are antiseptics and do not work against acne.

Chocolate isn’t causing your acne.

Here is a win for chocolate lovers around the world. While there is a relationship between diet and acne, it is usually dairy products and low-quality carbs that are the ones responsible for your outbreaks.

Neosporin won’t zap your zits.

Antibiotic ointments like Neosporin just will not work on clearing up your acne issues as pimples are not infections. They are the inflammation of dead skin cell buildup and excess oils that are clogging your pores.

Toothpaste isn’t the best way to get rid of a pimple.

Baking soda, a common ingredient in toothpaste, can help treat a breakout, but it does not mean you should slather your face with it. There is no real evidence that toothpaste is any more effective or as effective as any over the counter acne solution that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Calamine lotion isn’t great for pimples, either.

Calamine lotion is for bug bites only. Dermatologists say that using this to treat acne is the most absurd idea as it contains sulfur and is very drying. There are definitely better things out there for you to use.

Even MORE stuff that won’t solve your pimple problems: rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and breaking open liquid gel pain relievers.

In theory, the anti-inflammatory components of most pain relievers could help decrease swelling, you are more likely to irritate your skin. If over the counter products are not working for you, then a trip to the dermatologist is your best bet.

Egg whites aren’t actually going to shrink your pores.

Save the eggs for a great omelet. While egg whites may make your skin "feel" tighter, they are just drying and sitting on your skin and doing little to help your real issues.

Coconut oil won’t reduce age spots and wrinkles.

Coconut oil has been the latest rage in skincare and it is really good for a lot of things. It is a fantastic moisturizer and improves skin hydration and even increases your skin's lipid levels. But, it is not a cure-all for every skin issue that you may have. I cannot remove wrinkles and age spots, and it will not protect you from skin damage.