9 Skin Care Myths To Stop Believing Now

By now you likely have a regular morning skin care routine and one that you follow every evening. But you might also do (or skip) certain things based on advice you’ve heard over the years. The thing is, there are a ton of skin care myths floating around that could be dragging your beauty regimen down. (Yep: Whoever told you it was OK to skip the sunscreen on cloudy days was wrong!) It’s time to clear the air and put these myths to rest once and for all so that you can make informed decisions when it comes to caring for your skin. Ready to get schooled? Read on for nine skin care myths you need to stop believing, stat.

Skin Care Myth #1: Sleeping In Your Makeup Now And Then Is Okay

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is drag yourself to the bathroom to wash off a full face of makeup. We get it—the struggle is real. But snoozing in your foundation, mascara, and lipstick is a bad idea. When you sleep with your makeup on, it can mix with debris, dirt, oil and pollutants that have built up on the surface of your skin throughout the day (yes even when you’re working from home), which can lead to clogged pores. And clogged pores can lead to breakouts. Additionally, those pollutants and debris can break down your collagen and cause accelerated aging over time. The good news is, you can help make things easy on yourself by using a no-rinse makeup remover like micellar water or makeup removing towelettes. Keep them by your bedside so you don’t even have to leave the room to take off your makeup—it’s that easy!

Micellar water pick: The L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types is powered by tiny oil molecules that cluster together to lift dirt, makeup—even the waterproof kind—and impurities off the skin. You can use it on your face, eyes, and lips, and it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. 

Makeup wipes pick: The L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ Makeup Removing Towelettes, All Skin Types are ultra-soft alcohol-free towelettes that gently cleanse and remove all traces of makeup, including eyeliner, mascara, and even long-wear makeup. Be sure to reseal the pack to prevent the remaining cloths from drying out after use.

Skin Care Myth #2: You Don’t Need Sunscreen If It’s Not Sunny Outside

While we know that SPF isn’t only a necessity for long days hanging out at the beach, it turns out that broad-spectrum SPF is even necessary when the skies are gray. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you can get burned even on cloudy days. Spending time out in the sun sans protection can lead to damage over time and can show up down the road as visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. So yes, you need to wear sunscreen year-round no matter your skin tone. Choose one that’s formulated with broad-spectrum SPF to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be the last step in your skin care routine before applying makeup. If you’re short on time, consider using a moisturizer formulated with SPF, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer SPF 30, to help cut down on the number of steps in your routine. It’s formulated with glycolic acid, vitamin C, Pro-Retinol, and broad-spectrum SPF 30. Remember: Apply it at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Skin Care Myth #3: Tanning Beds Are Safer Than Natural Sunlight

I hate to break the news to you if you love a fake bake, but it’s time to give up that tanning bed. According to the Mayo Clinic, tanning beds are not a safer alternative to those sun rays. Exposure to ultraviolet rays increases your risk of skin cancer and accelerated skin aging whether it comes from natural sunlight or the tanning bed. Desperately seeking that faux-cation glow? Try an at-home sunless tanning option instead. We love L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse for an even all over glow and L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops, Fragrance-Free which can be mixed into your daily moisturizer for easy application.

Skin Care Myth #4: You Don’t Need To Apply SPF To Your Lips 

If you’re like most people, there’s a good chance you could be neglecting your lips when it comes to your skin care routine. But they deserve some love too! Your lips can burn, so it’s important to also apply SPF to them, just as you would the rest of your face. Look for a lip balm formulated with broad-spectrum SPF. Toss it in your bag for easy access so that you can reapply as needed.

Editor’s note: The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that along with your lips, ears, neck, scalp, hands, feet, and around your eyes are all areas that people often overlook when it comes to sun protection. So, make sure you aren’t ignoring those spots either!

Skin Care Myth #5: If It’s Labeled 'Natural' It Must Be Good For You

We hear about all-natural ingredients in skin care and cosmetics all the time, often praised for incredible “junk-free” results. But according to the Food and Drug Administration, ingredients from sources considered natural do not make them healthier, safer or better for you. In fact, the organization doesn’t recognize “natural” as a defined term and therefore hasn’t created regulations around it. If you’re having serious issues with your skin, seek the expertise of a dermatologist who can make a recommendation of what products will likely work best for your specific needs.

Skin Care Myth #6: You Don’t Need Eye Cream If You Don’t See Bags Or Dark Circles

Even if you aren’t showing any visible signs of aging around your eyes just yet, it’s never too early to start using an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, so it tends to show signs of aging first. Try the L'Oréal Paris Eye Defense, a light, non-greasy gel-cream that is specifically formulated to help defend against signs of premature aging around the eyes. Formulated with caffeine and hyaluronic acid, this eye cream can help to minimize the look of puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. 

Already have under eye circles? Try the new L'Oréal Paris Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% hyaluronic acid which hides under eye circles while adding hydration to the skin to improve its appearance over time.

Skin Care Myth #7: You Don’t Need Moisturizer If You Have Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, that gives you a pass on moisturizing after you’ve cleaned your face, right? Er…think again. External factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage oily skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production—which could mean you’ll end up looking even shinier if you don’t replace the moisture that’s been lost. Opt for a lightweight, oil-free water-based moisturizer, like the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, which has a matte (read: non-shiny) finish. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration. 

Skin Care Myth #8: There’s No Such Thing As Over-Exfoliating

Yes, exfoliating does have its benefits, including helping to slough away dead skin cells—which could be responsible for your dull-looking complexion—that have built up on your skin’s surface over time. But you can overdo it and cause irritation to your skin. The answer to how many times a week you should exfoliate varies from person to person. Some can handle daily exfoliation, while others may only need to do it once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin responds after you exfoliate to help determine how often you should incorporate this step into your skin care routine.

Skin Care Myth #9: Steam From Hot Water Opens Up Your Pores

The idea that your pores open and close based on water temperature is a common, age-old myth that’s simply not true. This is because your pores are technically always open! And while there are plenty of other things that make steam beneficial to your skin, such as increasing moisture levels in the air to help prevent dry, cracked lips, the so-called opening up of your pores is not one of them.

Now, it’s time to put your knowledge to good use and put together a skin care routine that can help keep your complexion in tip-top shape. 

Next: Simple Skin Care Routines for Every Skin Type