Skin Care Myths That Are Preventing You From Having Perfect Skin

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that having skin that you love and feel good in doesn’t come easily. At least not for me. I started my skincare journey at the ripe age of 10 when I got my first zit. I never imagined that I would be battling acne all the way into my mid-20s, but I did, and now a new battle begins in my later 20s: preventing the signs of aging. Lucky me.

Disclosure: Thanks so much to OZNaturals for sponsoring today’s post. All thoughts and opinions about the products mentioned in this post are my own. Please note, I am not a dermatologist or esthetician so my recommendations are only based on my personal experiences and are meant to be taken as such.

Between trial and error, a lot of frustration, and maybe even some tears, my skincare journey has been a long and challenging one. But the best thing about having solved one problem (the acne) means that I can share some of the skincare myths that I believed for far too long and what I recommend you do instead.

Myth #1: I’ll never be able to have clear skin.

I thought this for nearly all of my teen years. I figured I’d have acne for the rest of my life. And honestly, I probably will get zits for my entire life to some extent, but the all over, painful cysts that I had previously are unlikely to return in full force. If you are still battling acne, I want you to know that it will improve eventually and even though there’s not one magic potion that I can recommend, treating your body and your skin with kindness will get you farther than you may think.

Myth #2: Acne means you have oily skin

This was a myth I wish I had never heard. So many people told me that having acne means you have oily skin. It’s just not true. I’ve had dry skin for as long as I can remember (even if I didn’t realize it at the time) and products created to fight acne are often full of ingredients that will strip your skin of its natural oils. For someone with temperamental skin, it means your skin will begin OVER producing oil in an attempt to make up for what it’s missing. So, if you’re currently battling acne and have dry patches all over your face and it feels tight, your skin is NOT oily. Put down those alcohol-laden spot treatments ASAP.

Instead of stripping the skin’s natural oils with harsh products, look for lightweight moisturizers and oils that won’t clog pores yet will hydrate. If you must spot treat, only use a tiny amount on the actual breakout.

Not sure what type of skin you have? OZNaturals has a skin type quiz that can help you determine it!

Myth #3: Moisturizing is only for people with dry skin

To go along with myth #2, ALL skin types need to moisturize their skin. Oily skin that is not properly hydrated will become even more oily. Dry skin that isn’t hydrated will just become even more parched and irritated.

My recommendation for all skin types is to invest in a good serum that is meant for your skin concerns. For dry skin, the Hyaluronic Acid Serum is perfect. It layers beautifully under your daily moisturizer or night cream, and will allow those products to work even harder by reaching deeper layers of the skin. A lightweight serum won’t interfere with any makeup you may want to wear on top.

For those with dull skin, sunspots, or signs of aging like wrinkles or loss of firmness, grab the Vitamin C Serum. If you suffer from some of the above concerns yet have dry or sensitive skin, apply the Vitamin C Serum to the parts of your face that need it (for me it’s the fine lines on my forehead and my smile lines) and use the Hyaluronic Acid Serum everywhere else. This combo has made a visible difference in my skin’s overall hydration and has reduced the appearance of fine lines. Win-win!

Myth #4: You should splurge on a good cleanser

I’ve never thought cleansers were all that necessary, and I’m finding even more so now that they don’t make much difference. Don’t bother spending your hard earned money on an expensive cleanser, spend it on a good serum. High-quality serums have a molecular structure that will penetrate further into the skin’s layers than a moisturizer that sits on top of the skin or penetrates just below the surface.

Serums that are full of good ingredients like Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid don’t have to be expensive either, which is why I love that I’ve found OZNaturals. The serum I had been using previously was upwards of $60, and both of my favorite serums combined are less than that price. Plus, a few drops goes a long way so these products will last you months and months.

Myth #5: Anti-Aging products are only for older people

I remember getting my makeup done when I was still in college and the makeup artist asked me what type of eye cream I used. I rolled my eyes and said that eye cream wasn’t for someone my age. (Spoiler alert: it was. And while eye creams don’t prevent dark circles, they most certainly help which was something I could have used with all those late nights and terrible allergies!)

While around my eyes aren’t where I have a ton of fine lines yet, my forehead has a few that I’d rather not have. This is why finding a product that will both help my skin’s current condition and prevent further signs of aging is key. It’s precisely the reason I’ve been applying the Vitamin C Serum to those fine lines. For me, this is enough at present time, but I know in my 30s I will most definitely be looking into serums and creams with retinol and glycolic peels.

Myth #6 My skin doesn’t need more than 1 or 2 products to look great

I was always a one or two skin product kind of girl. Then, I started blogging and reading and realized I’d been doing it wrong. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive to have a skincare routine, but I promise my skin has never looked better and I’ve been able to spend a lot less on makeup to cover up the things I wasn’t happy with.

I think every girl needs at least these 4 products in their everyday skin routine:
1. Cleanser: A lotion type for dry skin, gel type for oily.
2. Toner: A lightweight liquid for removing any traces of makeup without stripping (no alcohol).
3. Serum: For dry skin, a Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a must. For normal or oily skin, look for a product that is described as lightweight or gel. For those looking to prevent wrinkles, a Vitamin C Serum is the ticket.
4. Moisturizer: A creamier formula for dry skin, a gel like, lightweight formula for normal to oily. A physical sunscreen is a bonus, otherwise, be sure to put this on before you go out in the sun!

Other good to have items include an exfoliator (manual, like scrubs, for normal to oily skin and chemical for drier skin types), a hydrating mask for when your skin is parched, and a night cream for those who need more hydration than what a moisturizer alone provides at night.

Myth #7: Skincare doesn’t actually expire.

For best results, don’t use expired or old skincare. If you opened something, especially in a jar, and put it away in a cabinet for a few years, it’s bad. If you purchased a Vitamin C Serum that has since turned a different color like orange or brown, it has oxidized and will no longer be effective. If the texture of your moisturizer or other products have become clumpy or watery, it’s time to toss them. For your skin’s safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Overall, there’s not one miracle product that will bring you perfect skin. I wish there was. However, I can definitely recommend the two OZNaturals products that I’ve had experience with that have made great improvements to my skincare routine and are definitely budget-friendly. With these skin care myths behind us, I hope that you too will be seeing clearer and more radiant skin in no time!

Are there any skin care myths that you’ve discovered over the years? What have you learned that works best for your skin type? I’d love to hear about what has (or what hasn’t) worked for your skin in the comments below!