Moisturizer is a staple in your skincare regimen. And this skincare essential, just like its name suggests does a simple job of moisturizing your skin. However, certain things in skincare are never simple - just like understanding a woman is! Well, if not about the latter, this article will surely help you in providing a better understanding of the former, i.e moisturizers by busting some of the common myths about them. Stay with us till the end of this article and get your beauty facts right! So, without any further ado, let’s dive in deeper and debunk some of the common myths.
#1. Myth: All moisturizers are the same and accomplish the same thing
Truth: No actually, they are not! All moisturizers are not developed equally. There are different formulations available in the market, which are best suited for particular skin types. We have humectants, such as glycerin and lactic acid which attract water and assist the skin in retaining moisture; emollients like fatty acids and ceramides soften and soothe our skin; and occlusives such as petroleum jelly, dimethicone or lanolin leave a film on the surface of the skin and locks in the hydration. So, different moisturizers have different combinations and formulas of these aforementioned ingredients. One can inspect the label and choose the moisturizer as per the skin’s demand. Also, different moisturizers have different textures which vary based on their water and oil proportion and henceforth serve the different skin types. Therefore, it is advisable to understand your skin and its need while choosing the right moisturizer, since there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all product. Also, if you want to buy handmade moisturizer made from pure ingredients like Almond oil, Apricot oil or Rose oil and free of chemicals, visit our store https://selflovesoaps.in/collections/gels-and-creams and buy.
#2. Myth: Our skin can become addicted to moisturizer
Truth: No, our skin cannot develop a physical or psychological addiction to moisturizers. As a result of religiously practicing the application of moisturizer in our everyday skincare routine, we get accustomed to feeling good about our skin and looking in a certain way and we tend to despise how our skin feels when not moisturized. So, we keep slathering in moisturizer to keep up with the same good feeling. However, this isn’t addiction or dependence; we’re not compelled to do this because the urge is powerful enough to overcome. We do it because we want our skin to feel good and nourished, to make it look the way it did when it was young.
#3. Myth: People with oily skin can skip their moisturizers.
Truth: The most common misconception, people with oily skin should avoid moisturizers and only those with dry and flaky skin should use them! Moisturizers are the holy grail of the skincare routine be it oily or dry skin types. People with oily skin worry about their skin getting filthy shine and greasy touch by application of moisturizers and hence, skip them. But we need to know moisturizers assist in adding hydration to the skin and additionally, also reduce oiliness by regulating our skin’s sebum production. Skipping out on a moisturizer can make your skin even oilier as dehydrated skin tends to potentially overcompensate for the lack of moisture by increasing sebum production. In fact, for this reason, there are lightweight, oil-free, water-based moisturizers designed specifically to suffice the needs of hydration by oily skin types and control excess oil production.
#4. Myth: Not every climate demands moisturizer
Truth: No, absolutely not! We all tend to agree on using moisturizer in cold weather to suffice the need for hydration for parched, dry skin. However, many of us believe, the application of moisturizers in hot and humid climates is of no use. However, summer heat causes your skin’s hydration to evaporate and if you don’t help your skin with a moisturizer in hot weather, your skin barrier might be broken which will provoke inflammation, sensitivity and redness. One must switch between different moisturizers based on their texture and consistencies, as our skin has different requirements throughout the year depending on the climate, and environment. One must invest in thicker, richer formulas in fall and winter, and switch to lightweight lotions for warmer weather for best results.
#5. Myth: Moisturizers with sunscreen provide adequate SPF.
Truth: That depends. If your moisturizer has a formula with an SPF of at least 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, then you can skip your sunscreen. However, you’ll have to follow up with sunscreen in case your moisturizer has any value of SPF lower than 30.
#6. Myth: Moisturizers clog pores
Truth: If you face this issue, you are probably using the wrong moisturizer! There are formulas for oily or acne-prone skin in the market with ‘non-comedogenic’ ingredients. Opting for non-comedogenic products prevents pores from getting clogged.
#7. Myth: You can use the same moisturizers for both face and body
Truth: This one completely depends on the skin type of our face and body, for instance, some of us might have oily facial skin but drier body skin! Using two different moisturizers with different formulations can be beneficial here. Also, the skin on our face is more sensitive and prone to acne than the body and sustains more sun damage, thus you need a face lotion and body lotion to keep it moisturized the right way. Moreover, body lotions are thicker and contain fragrances, which might not suit your facial skin, and that’s why they are not advised for the face. Also, your under-eye area might require extra attention, because fine lines and wrinkles appear around the eye area. The area around the eyes is usually the most sensitive and has the thinnest skin compared to the rest of the face. As we continue to age, we tend to lose moisture around the eyes which results in bags and dark circles. Many under-eye creams have been formulated to address these concerns.
#8. Myth: All wrinkle creams can reduce wrinkles
Truth: Only the products with retinoids in their ingredient list, can help you battle wrinkles and fine lines on regular application. If your wrinkle cream doesn’t have retinoids in it then basically it is just a good moisturizer and won’t serve the intended purpose.
#9. Myth: The more product you apply, the more moisture you fetch
Truth: Our skin is just like a sponge, it ingests only what it requires while the excess sits on top, which can attract dirt, pollution and dust giving you a greasy touch. That said, it is important to use the right moisturizer in the right amount!
#10. Myth: Stick to what you know
Truth: Just like people do, skin changes over time. So, what holds good for you in your 20s, might not work in your 40s and 50s! This is because the skin we have in our 40s and 50s is not the one it used to be in our 20s. Our skin cell turnover slows down as we age and it doesn’t produce enough ceramides and hydration as it used to in our youthful years. This is the time to re-evaluate your skin needs and switch to some other formulation.
#11. Myth: Consuming plenty of water is enough
Truth: Some people believe, drinking plenty of water means having your skin hydrated enough to skip moisturizer. Well, your skin is the last organ to acquire the goodness taken internally and hence leaving your skin dehydrated. So, it’s better to go straight up to the source and slather it topically to sustain hydrated skin!
#13. Myth: Clean your face and apply moisturizer when dry
Truth: Clean your face and just pat dry it using a soft towel. Now, go ahead and apply moisturizer to your damp, moist skin. Your moisturizer will seal that beautiful hydration in, making your skin plump and happy.
#14. Myth: Higher ingredient percentages create better products
Truth: This doesn’t hold true, there’s always an optimum concentration wherein that particular ingredient works best! Moreover, it is always recommended to start with a low concentration first and gradually level up to a high concentration so as to build up your skin’s tolerance to that particular ingredient. People often think they need to start with the highest concentration for quick results, but if your skin can't tolerate it, you’re going to harm your skin more than good.
Hope this article has tried to debunk all the possible myths about moisturizers but, if there’s anything out there that you like to get clarified, kindly drop in your queries in the comment section below. We would be more than happy to answer! Till then take care and enjoy the winter!