If you think there are some unbelievable myths surrounding skincare today—consider what people have done historically in the name of beauty.
Arsenic and lead were used to lighten skin color until it was discovered how dangerous and deadly they were for the skin. There was also a point when females ingested arsenic to enhance a healthy and youthful appearance. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning included vomiting, abdominal pain, tingling of extremities, and death in extreme cases.
Another perilous beauty approach was the use of belladonna, or the deadly nightshade in an eye-drop to give females a wide-eyed doe look that was considered seductive. Besides blurry vision, headaches, and vertigo—blindness was a side effect.
Thankfully, we learned how dangerous these substances are, and stopped using them long ago. But there are still myths circulating today and I'm sure you have come across them over the years like we have - here are some of them...
1). Drinking water gets rid of dry skin
One of the most common beauty myths indicates that if you drink a lot of water you can get rid of dry skin. Well, drinking a good amount of water has multiple benefits but this isn’t one of them. Take use of topical treatment instead. Skin oils keep your skin plump and hydrated so make a note to apply a nourishing moisturiser in your skincare routine. Check out our Nourish and our Kawakawa Body Oil.
2). Exfoliating daily will keep my skin clear and smooth
Exfoliating regularly is a great idea, however, exfoliating daily is very risky and can lead to stressed and uncomfortable skin. Whether you are using a scrub, a gentle enzyme exfoliator, acids, retinoids or a combination of all of these, we recommend applying exfoliating products between once and three times a week at most. Any more than this, you risk compromising your skin’s natural moisture barrier and ending up with tight, red and flaky skin. Existing blemishes are also more likely to become irritated, and the skin will take longer to heal. When it comes to exfoliation, moderation is key.
3). Wearing make-up every day causes breakouts
Nope. Well, some make-up can cause breakouts if your skin is sensitive to a particular ingredient, but this is not common. What actually causes breakouts is not removing make-up properly, and no, wipes are not enough. Sleeping in makeup not only leads to pore-clogging build-up and encourages bacteria to flourish, but it can also even lead to eye infections where eye makeup isn’t removed properly. If you are wearing a full face of make-up and SPF on a daily basis then your skin needs a through cleanse with an oil-based cleanser. Try our Magic Makeup Remover. This not only dissolves makeup off your face (even waterproof makeup and mascara), it gives your skin a deep cleanse, as well as moisturising and rejuvenating your skin overnight. You'll wake up 10 years younger!
4). The more Expensive the Skin Care Products, more Effective it is
Myth: Price does not determine quality.
More importantly, we all have different skin types and respond differently to different products. As a consumer, we need to find the right combination of skin care products that is suited to us. Don't forget some companies slap on a big price tag to pay for the big celebrity endorsement contracts.
5). Don't put Oil on Oily skin
A lot of people seem to think that oils are off-limits for those with oily skin. It’s a common misconception; after all we know that oily skin tends to be more prone to breakouts, so it seems logical to conclude that face oils for oily skin would worsen this. In reality, however, oils can be a great addition to your skincare routine, even if you have a oily skin type. The key is using the right one. Always wash your skin/face before putting on your product. Our Kawakawa Body Oil is great for your face - it's light, and doesn't leave a greasy/oily feeling - perfect for all skin types.
6). Skincare Packaging Doesn’t Matter
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Packaging is in fact essential when it comes to the effectiveness of products. You should never expose your products to excess light and air. This causes them to be less efficient over time. You should ensure products are kept in airtight containers and where possible dark coloured or opaque glass.