If you’ve ever spoken to someone else about your skincare routine or a problem you’re having with sensitive skin, they probably had a thousand things for you to do or try, and chances are that some of what they’ve heard and repeated to you are simply not true. We’ve gathered some of the more common myths we’ve heard about sensitive skin, and are here to debunk them once and for all.
Eating the Wrong Foods Does Not Cause Acne and Oily Skin
This is one you’ll have heard many times before, but there just isn’t any scientific evidence to back it up. An oily substance called sebum is what causes breakouts of pimples and acne and it’s made and secreted by the skin. None of what is in chocolate or oily foods is getting anywhere near the skin, let alone causing acne or oily skin.
That doesn’t mean that including certain foods in your diet is a bad idea. You should include plenty of foods rich in vitamin C for collagen production. Vitamin A is also a useful vitamin to your skin, so make sure you’re getting plenty of it too.
Using a Higher SPF Sunscreen Is Not Automatically Better
The great misunderstanding when it comes to sunscreen is the SPF (or sun protection factor). What isn’t misunderstood is the damage that ultraviolet light can cause to your skin and how important sunscreen is to use if you’re outside, whether it is sunny or cloudy.
The SPF number tells you how long it will take to burn your skin when you use the sunscreen as directed when you compare it to how long it will take to burn without any sunscreen. In simple terms, you’ll burn as much as you would in one minute without sunscreen as you would in 30 minutes if you’re using an SPF30 sunscreen.
Hot Water Is Not Better for Cleaning Skin
In fact, the exact opposite is true. When you’re showering, bathing or cleaning your skin, your water should be cold or lukewarm. Using water that is too hot will end up stripping your skin of protective oils and natural protection and dry it out, which could end up with you having dry skin, and cause your skin to be even more sensitive.
Skin Sensitivity Is Not Caused by Allergies
It’s an easy thing to blame, but it’s not correct. Of course, your skin can react to allergies, particularly seasonal ones like hay fever, but the reaction is not the same as the reaction your skin gets from a sensitivity. Skin sensitivity is caused by our skin becoming weaker – or rather, the barrier protecting the skin becomes weaker.
Not Only People with Dry Skin Have Sensitive Skin
We all have our own sensitivities, and skin is no different. Whether you have oily skin or dry skin, you can be susceptible to these sensitivities. It’s crucial that you choose the skincare products you use based on the type of skin you have, and try different products until you find one that works for you. A rose water toner is a good start because it can calm irritated skin and is excellent for most skin types.
Have you ever fallen victim to believing one of these skincare myths for sensitive skin? There is so much information floating around and so many ways that this information can travel from person to person that it is no surprise that some of it isn’t true. Always verify what you hear before applying it to your skincare routine from a trusted source before buying into it as a quick fix.