Skincare myths and facts

We believe that beauty begins with truth but there’s so much misinformation in the beauty space. That’s why we’re here to separate fact from fiction, and empower your skincare decisions. Ready to learn the truth once and for all?

Breakouts & acne myths

Want to know more? Head to our expert advice articles dedicated to acne & breakouts.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Alcohol dries up acne

MYTH

Alcohol might seem beneficial for acne-prone consumers with oily skin as it instantly degreases skin, but beware, the effect is only temporary. Alcohol is highly irritating, removes the skin's natural lipids, disrupts its barrier (microbiome) and worsens inflammation. Very often, consequently, skin will try overcompensating the dryness with more sebum, which increases the likelihood of breakouts, and will be more prone to irritations. Choose gentle, lightweight, soothing products instead.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

You can scrub pimples away

MYTH

Physical scrubs only exfoliate the top layer of the skin; however, they can’t unclog your pores, which are often the source of breakouts. Besides, the physical motion can actually aggravate your skin and in the long run, disrupt the skin barrier and increase breakouts. Instead, use a gentle chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid (BHA).  

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Toothpaste treats pimples

MYTH

Toothpaste is not a good spot treatment. It doesn't zap your zits and fluoride doesn't have anti-bacterial properties. Drying out a breakout with toothpaste isn't going to help heal it, it'll only cause redness and irritation. Stick to what works. Use ingredients like salicylic acid (BHA) and azelaic acid and leave toothpaste for your teeth!

MYTH OR TRUTH?

You can detoxify skin.

MYTH

Simply put, it’s physiologically impossible for any skincare product, ingredient or spa treatment to detoxify skin. That’s because skin is not a detoxifying organ of the body—that job belongs to the liver and kidneys. Neither the skin nor its pores can purge toxins.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Acne is caused by greasy food.

MYTH

While it’s true that eating healthy food is good for you and your overall well-being, research on greasy food consumption and acne has been mixed. Several earlier studies proclaiming it to be a problem were flawed or poorly done. Greasy, fatty foods don’t seem to be acne triggers for most people but foods (especially sources of refined sugar) that cause a spike in the hormone insulin have been linked to increased incidences of acne. Try curbing your sugar intake for a few weeks to see if doing so improves your skin.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Stress causes acne.

50/50

Stress itself doesn’t cause acne but research has shown that many people experience more breakouts during stressful times. This happens because the body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which increases the skin’s sebum production and in turn exacerbates acne. If you have the genetic tendency for breakouts, adopt a suitable skincare routine and try to lower stress levels through a healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and selfcare rituals.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Your skin must get worse before it gets better.

MYTH

The common expression, “your skin has to get worse before it gets better” isn’t universally true. Oftentimes when people start using new acne products, especially exfoliants or retinoids that accelerate skin cell turnover, a new crop of breakouts can appear seemingly overnight and then disappears before clear skin is revealed. This phenomenon, called “skin purging”, is relatively common and looks different to having a flare-up or worsening of acne. The easiest way to tell the difference between skin purging and routine breakouts is timing. Breakouts caused by acne shouldn’t worsen when starting a product known to improve acne and, as a rule of thumb, skin purging will trigger comedones (small, white spots under the skin AKA whiteheads) rather than inflamed pustules, nodules or deeper cysts. Overall, flare-ups caused by skin purging often tend to appear and then disappear much faster than regular breakouts.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

If you have blackheads, it's because your skin is dirty.

MYTH

Despite their appearance, blackheads aren't due to the skin being dirty. A blackhead is a type of clogged pore that can occur on its own or along with acne, and forms when dead skin cells mix with excess oil and debris in the pore lining. Once the oil mix reaches the opening of the pore (at the skin’s surface), it oxidises or, in other words, it turns black. A leave-on BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliant is the most important product for getting rid of blackheads. 

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Small dark spots on your nose, cheeks, or chin are always blackheads.

MYTH

No, they can also be sebaceous filaments. If they have a semi-clear tone, or a grey or yellow tinge, what you’re likely seeing are sebaceous filaments. A sebaceous filament may or may not turn into a blackhead – the determining factor is whether the sebum in the pore lining becomes exposed to oxygen (thereby oxidizing and becoming dark, changing into a blackhead). Another difference? Blackheads have a plug-like appearance when extracted, whereas sebaceous filaments more closely resemble a free-flowing column of wax-like sebum (resembling a tiny strand of hair) as they are squeezed out.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

SPF clogs pores.

MYTH

Modern, well-formulated sunscreens suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, shouldn’t clog pores. We recommend experimenting with sheer and thin textures as they should be the least likely to lead to breakouts, for most people. Also, make sure that you’re cleansing thoroughly each night to ensure all your sunscreen and make-up are removed.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

My shower water is causing my acne.

MYTH

It’s unlikely that your shower water is causing your acne but if you are cleaning your face and neck in the shower, chances are you’re using water that’s too hot. High temperatures can strip the skin’s oils and potentially irritate skin. The easiest way to ensure you’re using the right temperature water (lukewarm) is to wash your face separately, over the sink.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Tea tree oil and other essential oils will naturally treat my acne.

50/50

As trends turn towards clean, organic beauty, it’s no wonder people are exploring the use of essential oils. As it turns out, tea tree oil does have some research-proven benefits for acne-prone skin… if you use the right concentration. However, conclusive research has not shown tea tree oil to be significantly better for acne-prone skin than for example a leave-on exfoliant with 2% salicylic acid (BHA). If you can find a strong enough concentration of tea tree oil, it’ll likely be too strong for the skin to tolerate, which can trigger a sensitised reaction due to compounds like limonene, linalool, and eucalyptol, all present and believed to be responsible for the skin’s bad reactions to the raw oil.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Acne only affects teenagers.

MYTH

No, acne is not limited to teenagers. While it is commonly associated with adolescence due to hormonal changes during puberty, acne can affect people of any age. Adult acne is relatively common, and various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, genetics, and lifestyle choices, can contribute to acne breakouts in adults.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

All you need is one miracle product to fix acne.

MYTH

While we all wish this was the case, sadly it isn’t. In truth, you need a combination of proven ingredients to target the complex causes of acne and the red spots/ scars they leave behind. We believe the best way to prevent breakouts and clear up skin is by committing to a simpley, everyday skincare routine with proven actives and SPF. Always consult your dermatologist in case of more advanced acne, as you might need to add prescription treatments too.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Acne products are too harsh for dry or sensitive skin.

MYTH

Only a small percentage of people have truly dry skin and acne, and they might struggle to keep blemishes at bay while keeping skin nourished and soothed. It’s important to bear in mind that acne is an inflammatory disorder so, it benefits from gentle, non-irritating products. Be sure that your skincare routine is free from aggravating factors such as denatured alcohol, fragrances and harsh cleansers, and enriched with calming and nourishing antioxidants. This is the gentle yet effective way to get your dry skin and acne under control. Still not sure? Contact our skincare experts for personalised advice that’s just right for you.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Acne on the body is treated differently to the face.

MYTH

The same ingredients that are going to alleviate acne and breakouts on your face will also be the same ingredients that’ll benefit your body. If you’re experiencing breakouts on your back (bacne) then using leave-on exfoliants with salicylic acid (BHA) will help shed dead skin cells, soothe redness, improve texture and reduce the frequency of spots. Try our Body Spot Exfoliant from our body care collection. Apply to the affected areas and be sure to always follow with SPF during the day.

MYTH OR TRUTH?

The sun improves acne.

MYTH

Exposing acne-prone skin to sunlight without adequate protection causes long-term damage. While the immediate feeling of your breakouts or oily skin “drying up” coupled with getting a tan helps visually mask the look of existing breakouts and old post-breakout marks, research shows that the havoc UV rays wreck on skin is going to make matters worse. Skin becomes dehydrated by the sun and will react by thickening and producing more oil, which results in more pore clogging and worsens inflammation due to the oxidative cascade triggered by UV rays. You also run the risk of red spots turning into darker, stubborn marks.

Basic skincare myths

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Acid exfoliants are bad for the skin's barrier

MYTH

Chemical exfoliation produces some of the most dramatic results you can get with at-home skincare treatments - when used in the right way.

Discover more about exfoliating

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Lemon juice brightens dull skin

MYTH

No way. If you want to fade dullness, try a potent vitamin C.

Discover more about vitamin C

MYTH OR TRUTH?

You need spf indoors

TRUTH

Even when you're indoors all day, spf is a must. Damaging UVA rays can penetrate glass.

Discover more about spf

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Retinol is only for wrinkles

MYTH

Retinol does way more than that. It also helps breakouts, improves firmness & fights dullness.

Discover more about retinol

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Drinking water cures dry skin

MYTH

While there is no harm in drinking more water, data does not show that h2o = hydrated skin.

Discover more about replenishing dry skin

MYTH OR TRUTH?

Niacinamide shouldn't be applied at the same time as vitamin C or retinol

MYTH

Niacinamide is great on its own. And combining it with other powerful ingredients, it actually has a synergistic impact that enhances your results.

Discover more about niacinamide

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