In a recent podcast episode, I talked to Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified Dermatologist about the basics of skincare. She breaks down a super simple (and affordable) approach to your skincare routine and explains why we don’t need as much as we’re often sold. We debunk skincare myths and shed light on skincare assumptions that are simply untrue. So, if you’re curious what myths you should stop believing, then keep reading…
MYTH 1: You won’t get enough vitamin D if you use sunscreen.
No studies have found that SPF leads to vitamin D deficiency. While SPF prevents sunburn by blocking UVB light, it’s difficult to block all UVB light. The fact of the matter is, neglecting to use sunscreen can lead to far worse problems than getting smaller doses of vitamin D. Plus, if you’re really worried about it, you can absolutely take supplements.
MYTH 2: You need a lot of products in order to benefit from your skincare routine.
According to Dr. Ranella Hirsch, skincare should not be difficult. Start simple and keep it simple. Approach it from the perspective of what you need to do to maintain, prevent, and treat any skincare concerns. Start with a gentle cleanser in the morning followed by SPF. In the evening, use the same cleanser and add an ingredient or product that will address any specific concerns you might have such as sun damage, breakouts or redness.
MYTH 3: There are certain skincare ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol that everyone needs.
Everyone has different skincare concerns and everyone’s tolerance levels vary. Ingredients like vitamin C and retinol can be irritating, and there are certain skin types that will never be able to tolerate it. That’s okay because there’s no one size fits all approach to skincare. The single best thing you can do is figure out what works best for your skin and to give it time. Change doesn’t happen over night, so try to be patient and allow time to see results.
MYTH 4: Facial products aren’t meant to be used on the body.
It’s rarely someone’s face that gives away their age. Rather, it’s the neck, décolleté and hands that reveal the most signs of aging. So, facial products like SPF that are meant to prevent aging can absolutely be used on other parts of the body, especially places like the next and hands. In fact, skincare shouldn’t stop at your face, so don’t neglect the chest area!
MYTH 5: Just cut out gluten and dairy for flawless skin.
Unfortunately, studies haven’t confirmed that cutting out certain food groups like gluten and dairy are the end all be all approach to good skin. While there are certainly some that swear by a certain diet for flawless skin, it can be a lot more complex for others. Eating a well-balanced healthy diet is good for your health and wellbeing (including your skin) however, restricting certain food groups will not necessarily solve all your skincare concerns.
For more anti-aging and beauty tips, listen to the full podcast episode with Dr. Ranella Hirsch here.
