
Looking for skin care advice online is like throwing a rock into a lake — it doesn’t matter where you throw the rock, you’re going to hit water. And it doesn’t matter where you look online, you’re going to find lots of skin care advice.
The trouble is, not all of the advice is completely accurate. Some of it is downright wrong. A good rule of thumb: If you read something on one site that you can’t corroborate anywhere else, take it with a grain of salt.
You should also watch out for the common skin care myths below, debunked by our expert team at Melanie Adams Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland. We care about your skin, so we want to set the record straight on these myths:
This one is definitely popular, but popularity doesn’t equal truth. Acne develops from a combination of four factors: clogged pores from shedding skin cells, bacteria, inflammation, and sebum (excess oil).
Not washing your face won’t help matters, but it’s not the reason you’re developing acne.
This depends on the person and the product. To find out what products work best for you, consult with a dermatologist. In many cases, it comes down to preference and skin type.
There’s no hard evidence that parabens and other preservatives are harmful to your skin. They help products last longer, so make sure you check the expiration date on any natural products.
Nope. Scrubbing too hard or too often actually damages your skin. It’s natural to want to feel like your products and processes are working, so you might scrub a little harder as a result. But you only need to gently exfoliate 2-3 times a week to give your skin a chance to recuperate.
Whether your skin is oily or dry, you need to use moisturizer to nourish and hydrate it. The differences in skin type come into play when you choose the type and amount of moisturizer your skin needs.
Once you get above a certain level, the additional protection offered by sunscreen with a higher SPF is minimal. Using an SPF of 30 blocks out 97% of UVB rays, so there’s no need to shell out the extra bucks for a higher number.
If you have more questions about the best way to do skin care or would like to discuss a specific issue, the team at Melanie Adams Dermatology is ready to help. Just call our office to schedule an appointment or use our convenient online appointment request form.