We love the internet and just how easy it is to research and read about any topic that catches our fancy. And the same holds true for beauty as well. Thanks to the tons of resources available in the form of posts, videos and articles, finding out the remedies to your specific beauty concerns has become a lot easier. But there’s one problem here – not only does having access to so much information get a bit overwhelming, but it also helps to bear in mind that not everything you read or see on the internet is always correct or based on science and hard facts.
This can make a lot of people follow baseless and even potentially harmful beauty practices that can give rise to more problems. So, how can you verify and know what’s truly right and worth trying? Well, apart from consulting your own doctor before trying anything, especially DIYs and supplements, you can scroll down for a list of nine common beauty practices that are in fact, just myths…
- Myth 01: Natural is always better for your skin
- Myth 02: Lack of sleep causes dark circles
- Myth 03: Pores can shrink
- Myth 04: Cutting your hair makes it grow faster
- Myth 05: Wearing makeup everyday can cause breakouts
- Myth 06: Oily skin can do without a moisturiser
- Myth 07: DIY beauty remedies are safe
- Myth 08: You can avoid wearing sunscreen if you are indoors or if your makeup has SPF
- Myth 09: Foundation damages your skin
Myth 01: Natural is always better for your skin
Fact: This is probably one of the most common myths that a lot of us believe. However, the fact of the matter is that there is absolutely no scientific evidence or even research that can back this claim.
The truth is that there are plenty of all-natural ingredients and products that can majorly irritate your skin. And on the other hand, there are tonnes of well-formulated skin care products with chemicals that will do wonders for your skin. It all depends on understanding your own skin type and researching ingredients that work well for your skin type.
Myth 02: Lack of sleep causes dark circles
Fact: Getting a good night’s sleep and proper rest is important for your overall health and wellness and we would never recommend otherwise. However, not getting enough sleep doesn’t really cause permanent dark circles; the discolouration and darkness that you see is only temporary and gets better once you get enough rest.
What causes permanent damage though, is sun exposure, vigorously rubbing your eyes often and lots of squinting. A simple solution? Make sure to keep the eye area moisturised, apply sunscreen and be very gentle while applying and removing makeup. These three habits will go a long way in keeping yours under-eye area bright and youthful.
Myth 03: Pores can shrink
Fact: This is going to be a hard one to swallow. But the thing is, it is impossible for your pores to shrink once they expand due to trapped dirt. The size of your pores actually depends more on your genetics and how active your sebaceous glands are. If you have overactive sebaceous glands, then your pores will be bigger and more at the risk of getting clogged.
However, there are no skincare products or practices that can really shrink the size of your pores and make them smaller. By following certain skincare practices, using the right products and figuring out how to perfect your base makeup, you can easily make your pores appear less prominent.
Myth 04: Cutting your hair makes it grow faster
Fact: There is no research or scientific evidence to back that cutting your hair makes it grow faster. Your genetics determine the rate at which your hair grows, and it does not have much to do with how often you cut your hair. But regular trims (once every six to eight weeks) keep dryness and split ends at bay. And when the damaged part of your hair is trimmed, it instantly makes your hair appear shinier and healthier.
Additionally, since dry ends are more prone to make your hair look weighed down, regular trims are your saviour. But there’s no connection between regular trims and how fast your hair grows.
Myth 05: Wearing makeup everyday can cause breakouts
Fact: While we agree that there are certain ingredients in makeup that can cause breakouts, this isn’t nearly as common as you think. The makeup is never really the cause of breakouts. But if you notice that you break out more after wearing makeup, then maybe you need to re-evaluate the way you take your makeup off. If, for you, removing makeup means simply using a face wash or some cleansing wipes and running straight to bed, then that could be the reason for your breakouts and not the makeup.
Make sure to double cleanse to eliminate every last bit of makeup, and use a lightweight moisturiser and sunscreen for added protection during the day time.
Myth 06: Oily skin can do without a moisturiser
Fact: Just like every other skin type, those of you with oily skin need to use a moisturiser as well. Why, you ask? Well, here’s the thing – your skin tends to overcompensate dryness by producing more sebum, making the oiliness worse and leading to breakouts. But applying a lightweight, gel-based moisturiser not just protects your skin against dryness, but also prevents excess sebum production and damage from environmental aggressors, all the time making your skin barrier strong.
These are the reasons why using a moisturiser is so important, even if you have very oily and acne-prone skin.
Myth 07: DIY beauty remedies are safe
Fact: There’s a general perception that DIY remedies are completely safe simply because they mostly employ the use of ingredients from your kitchen or around the house. But this is an absolute myth and it cannot be farther away from the truth. A lot of DIY remedies are not only useless but can, in fact, end up causing adverse damage, especially if you have sensitive skin. While we totally agree that some ingredients such as aloe vera, yogurt, olive etc., are super effective as beauty ingredients, make sure to avoid DIY remedies that employ the use of lemon, baking soda, toothpaste, etc.
Please note: Always consult a doctor about your skin type to better understand what DIY skincare ingredients are safe for you to reduce the chances of an adverse reaction.
Myth 08: You can avoid wearing sunscreen if you are indoors or if your makeup has SPF
Fact: You need to wear sunscreen every single day. Period. Yes, even if you’re wearing makeup products with SPF. The thing is, the harsh UV rays can penetrate through the windows and damage your skin. Additionally, the blue light emitted through your mobile and laptop screens can also damage your skin. And the best solution to this problem is to wear sunscreen every single day.
As far as the SPF in your makeup is concerned, not only does it not offer broad-spectrum protection against UV rays, but the thin layer of makeup we usually apply is not enough to provide any considerable protection. This is why, no matter what the situation is like, don’t skip wearing your sunscreen every single day.
Myth 09: Foundation damages your skin
Fact: Here’s the real deal – your skin does not breathe as the top layer is just dead skin cells. Besides, there is enough research that supports wearing foundation as often as possible. Surprised? Well, experts claim that wearing a foundation provides an extra layer of protection that prevents your skin from coming directly in contact with pollutants from the environment. But make sure to choose a formula that works for your skin type and has nourishing benefits.
If you have really dry skin or are simply looking for more sheer coverage, try adding a few drops of oil with your foundation, or mixing it with your favourite moisturiser for some extra nourishment, along with dewy, supple-looking skin.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Dec 22, 2021
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!