It’s time to put these beauty myths to sleep once and for all.
Quick fixes and miracle cures? We have our doubts. Despite a lack of evidence, there are still beauty myths floating around out there that need to be dispelled for good. If you’re still being romanced by any of our top 3 beauty myths, then we’ve got some alternatives for you that actually work.
Myth #1: You need an arsenal of skincare products to tackle different skin issues.
The beauty industry would love nothing more than for you to grab 17 items off of store shelves and put them in your basket. Overflowing bathroom cabinets are good for business. But the reality is that less can be more. Those 18-step K-Beauty routines are obviously great if you have the time. But for most people, it’s just not realistic.
What you should be doing instead…
Embrace multi-taskers. Stop buying one-ingredient wonders in the hopes that they are somehow more potent or more effective on their own. You can get the same level of efficacy, and often even more effective deliverability when you use products that contain ingredients that work together.
The 3 essentials of skincare that you need fall into the following categories:
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Protector
Look for multi-taskers that involve one of the steps above and you’ll save yourself time and money. For example, our Milky Balancing Cleanser is a triple-tasker; it gently cleanses, exfoliates with Lactic Acid, and leaves your skin soft and hydrated with pH balancing prebiotics, probiotics, yogurt powder, and moisturizing Irish moss.
A good moisturizer should also have some long-term benefits. Look for products that help your skin in more than one way. Our Immunity Moisturizer not only helps skin feel hydrated, but it also contains a blend of probiotics, meadowfoam oil, pomegranate extract, and milk thistle to enhance collagen production, improve elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Protecting your skin from external stressors is the best path to a lifelong healthy complexion. We’re talking about SPF, and it’s not just a seasonal pal; you should be using it year round. But rather than buying a bottle of sunscreen, look for it in a tinted moisturizer or in your foundation. Aim for a range of 30-50 SPF for maximum protection.
Myth #2: You can shrink your pores.
Nope. Pores just don’t shrink, it’s a fact. The size of your pores is determined by your genetics, and they can’t be manipulated by the products you use. So the next time you pick up a beauty product that makes this dubious claim, just know that what they’re promising just isn’t gonna happen.
What you should be doing instead…
Focus on reducing inflammation. While you can’t permanently shrink your pores, you can minimize their appearance. If your skin is inflamed, you’ll notice more porous openings when you get close up. Using products that help cool and calm your skin will reduce their appearance if they’re irritated. A clean, cool washcloth or refrigerated face mask will not only calm your skin, but they can feel pretty refreshing.
Besides inflammation, the appearance of your pores might seem to increase over time due to the affects of aging. Collagen production helps plump the area around your pores, which gives them a smaller appearance. As we age, collagen production decreases, and depending on your genetics, your pores might become more noticeable. Getting enough vitamin C through diet and using it topically can aid your skin’s ability to synthesize collagen as you age.
Myth #3: Dark under-eye circles mean you need to get more sleep.
Those unsightly circles could mean that you’re not getting enough zzzz’s, but sleep isn’t the only culprit- and it may not even be about your sleep habits at all. Dark eye circles can be related to several factors, which can be exacerbated by a lack of sleep. Age is often a factor due to collagen loss in the thin skin below your eyes.
What you should be doing instead…
Pay attention to your diet and make sure you’re eating well and getting all of the vitamins your body needs. Stay hydrated, as well. If you’re getting enough sleep and your diet is on point, check with your doctor if you think any of the following could potentially be issues for you:
- Vision: When you squint and strain your eyes, the surrounding blood vessels can become enlarged, darkening the skin under your eyes.
- Allergies: Seasonal itchy eyes can result in excessive rubbing, further irritating your eyes, and the skin under them. The histamines from allergies can also dilate your blood vessels, making them more visible.
- Overexposure to sun: If it seems like all roads lead to SPF, that’s because it’s super important- especially for that delicate under-eye zone. Too much sun produces more melanin, which will darken your under-eye skin.
To soothe your sensitive under-eye skin, there are a few things you can do. Applying a cold compress will help calm it if it’s irritated, shrink your blood vessels, and reduce puffiness. You can also use caffeinated tea bags that have been steeped in hot water, then chilled in the refrigerator. The caffeine and antioxidant combo will energize your skin and shrink blood vessels. And then there’s that trick we all know…concealer. Pat a little skin-matching color under your eyes for a quick fix.
We can’t know exactly why these beauty myths exist, but we do know that our desire for the “quick fix” runs deep. We’ve all had our fair share of beauty mishaps and skin-related issues, but more often than not, Googling solutions eventually put us back to square one. That’s why an inside-out approach is so important. Nourishing your microbiome strengthens the gut-skin axis, which gives you a better chance to avoid these common problems in the first place. So eat well, boost your probiotic intake, stay hydrated, and use skincare that works with your skin. Follow these rules and before you know it, beauty will seem a lot less complicated.