Do pores actually open and close? Cracking Open 8 Skincare Myths
Introduction
Skincare is the new self-care but many of the rules and regulations are blurred. Some people swear by their products and application process while others chastise them for getting it wrong. Do you really need sunscreen all year-long and does makeup really cause wrinkles? We’re here today to unravel myth from reality and give you the best tips on healthier, brighter, and better skin.
8 Skincare Myths
1. Hot water is good for your skin
We know, we know. Getting up out of bed is hard and a hot water shower is just the motivation most of us need, but no matter how tempting it sounds, it really isn’t good for you. Hot water actually damages your skin more than cleans.
Our skin is covered in pores. Pores are actually just small openings on your skin but they release oils and sweat which makes us want to get rid of them. What most of us don’t realize is that these oils are essential to softening our skin.
Hot water, in place of cleaning our skin, actually removes these essential oils and minerals. It also leaves the pores open which makes our skin dry and itchy. That’s why your skin seems rough after a hot water shower.
Taking a cold shower or even a slightly warm shower can make your skin softer and moisturized. Taking a 30-second cold shower at the very end of your bath can have similar effects like tightening your skin and making it smoother.
2. Acne is caused by not washing your face
Acne is technically a face condition that causes pimples. Acne is the result of different activities coming together. Its symptoms include red skin, nasty pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, and painful lumps.
Pores on your face generally release oils and sweat. When they remove excess oils, it becomes acne. Your hair follicles get clogged, and they produce blackheads, and whiteheads. Acne is generally caused by bacteria, or inflammation of the skin but it can also be hereditary. If your parents or grandparents have excess oil in their skin, for example, it is likely to be passed on with their genes.
Acne doesn’t appear because you don’t wash your face. That’s a complete myth. Even if you wash your face everyday, your body will still tell your brain that it's losing oils which prompts your pores to release more. Washing your face is a good way to clean your face, but unfortunately, it won’t start or stop your acne.
3. Makeup increases signs of aging
Wearing makeup doesn’t affect your face that much. You just need to ensure that you wash your face before you go to sleep. Even if it has chemicals in it, makeup isn’t completely harmful. After all, everything around us (and even our skin) is made up of chemicals.
There are specific things that can cause reactions especially if you use products that don’t go with your skin type. Regardless, it is important to cleanse your face before you sleep. This lets your face get time to recharge and relax. If you take off your makeup before bed, it gives your skin breathing space and it gets in contact with the air which makes it healthier.
Makeup doesn’t actually cause wrinkles or other signs of aging though. Use a cleanser and remember to remove your makeup and you should be good to go.
4. The order of your skincare routine doesn’t matter
That could not be further from the truth. Skincare is important but that doesn’t mean you can just lather on product after product randomly. Some ingredients are heavier than others. It would be like putting soap on a sponge after you’ve coated it with oil. The soap would never reach the sponge.
There is a general order you can follow for any skincare routine: cleanser, exfoliator, toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen. Depending on the products you use, you can change the order of toners and serums but these are lighter than moisturizers which tend to be heavier. If you put them on after you moisturize, your skin won’t be able to soak in the ingredients in toners and serums. Sunscreen should always be put on last.
5. You should exfoliate daily
Exfoliation is the necessary process of removing dead skin from the surface of your skin. Some people very mistakenly believe that exfoliation should be done regularly. Some exfoliators can be harmful for your skin especially if used daily.
You should exfoliate every two to three days (twice a week). Make it a part of your skincare routine after cleansing but try to use nature-based products. These add nutrients to your skin that you might have removed along with your makeup when washing your face.
6. Face exercises reduce wrinkles
Advertisements promote face exercises and some people swear by them, but are they really effective? We think not. Most of the time, exercises just help us relax and feel better. There are no studies that actually show them reducing wrinkles.
A face massage or face exercise helps the blood flow to your face which can have various benefits for your skin, from making it glow to adding redness for a natural blush. No clinical evidence actually shows that you can make your cheeks thinner or get rid of wrinkles. Face massages probably do moisturize your skin because of the oils you use but they don’t remove dark spots or black areas.
7. You don’t need sunscreen in winters
Sunscreen is a must year-round and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The sun doesn’t leave during the winter and neither do the UV rays. Even a few can damage your skin and leave behind dead skin cells.
To protect your skin you have to wear sunscreen with a good SPF all year round. Rain or shine, it must be a part of your skincare routine. If you feel like you’re putting too many products on yourself, get a 2-in-1 moisturizer and sunscreen. They are a little thicker but they still do the trick.
8. Pores Open and Close
The biggest question on everyone’s mind- do pores actually open and close? You might be surprised to hear this but no, they don’t technically open and close as you might be led to believe. Pores are small openings in the skin that never actually close.
They release oils and other chemicals that might get backed up or blocked sometimes. If this pile-up begins to be too much, you’ll see acne burst out on your face. Sometimes, pores can contract, which makes your skin seem smoother but they will still remain partially open.
Conclusion
Myths surrounding skin care are many and it can get hard to believe everything you hear, but these tips and tricks are guaranteed by us. Your skin is very sensitive and you should take care of it properly. Be sure to follow a proper skincare routine and know your skin properly and you should be good to go! Try tweaking your daily routine according to these guidelines and let us know it worked for you!
8 Skincare Myths Infographics
