We share beauty secrets with our squad since we were teenagers. And those “they said that you shouldn’t do this” and “she said that we shouldn’t do that” kind of beauty rules flies around, and over time, we kind of made those “rules” our beauty bible.
Credit: lifeforstock – www.freepik.com
But many of those rules are more beauty myths than anything else, with absolutely no scientific backing. They may not be harmful (well, they are some that can harm your skin in the long run) to your skin, but they may also be doing nothing for your skin. Stop wasting your time and effort, and avoid ruining your skin. Let’s debunk some of these beauty myths and clear up these misunderstandings once and for all.
1. You can open and close pores with warm or cold water
You can’t, because your pores aren’t controlled by your muscles. The size and visibility of your pores are genetically determined, and all those pore shrinking skincare products won’t do anything to change that. Pores do appear more visible when there are clogs in them, causing them to be enlarged. Therefore, it is important to keep your skin clean with regular exfoliation, or you can visit your dermatologist for chemical peels to unclog pores.
2. Coconut oil is a great face moisturiser
Please stick to your regular moisturiser and do not swap it for coconut oil, no matter how au naturel it sounds. Coconut oil is comedogenic and will clog pores and cause breakouts since it prevents our pores from excreting sebum and perspiration, and allows bacteria and dead skin cells to build up.
3. Try to stick to the same products that work for you
It is absolutely correct to stick to products that work for you. However, you do need that bit of flexibility since our environment and our lifestyles are constantly changing. It is important to change your products when the need arises. For example, if you are moving to place with a drier climate, use a heavier and more hydrating moisturiser. If you are suddenly experiencing a breakout due to changes in your hormonal cycle, you may need to switch up your skincare products to something that will help to soothe those pimples. Stubbornly sticking to your good old products when changes come about may not be helpful at all.
4. Junk food gives you pimples
Your breakouts are never solely caused by any particular food groups, or “heaty” food, as our Asian parents will tell us. Common causes of pimples are excessive sebum production, clogged pores, bacteria, or hormonal imbalances.
5. Pore strips can get rid of blackheads
I confess. I did use pore strips when I was a teenager in an attempt to get rid of blackheads. But while some blackheads on the surface do get removed with the harsh strips, most were still pretty stuck on my nose. The truth is, pore strips do more harm than good as they are very harsh, and remove your skin’s natural protective layer, causing irritation and dry patches. Not worth it.
