My Top Five Skin Myths V. Truths
With the popularity of Tik Tok, Pinterest, and JLo launching her skin care line, I have been answering more and more questions about about what we see via the television and or our phones. Marketing for the general public is unknowingly mesmerizing and has created many myths and often misguided recommendations. The market is saturated with skin care products and the latest big ticket trend. Here are my top five myths v. truths in the treatment room as of late.
Myth #1 Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Lopez have amazing skin and use drug store/mass produced product. It must work. Truth....Well, let's be real here they also have personal chefs, personal trainers, weekly facials and massages, and someone to slap the sugar and junk food out of their hands daily. Marketing is strong and dialed in by corporate America and celebrities are paid endorsement fees even if they have their "own" line. Let's group multi level marketing companies in with this while I'm here. Stay away.
Myth #2 I can skip cleansing, even if I don't leave the house. When I have a brand new guest in and we are discussing their skin routine, and which products they use at home, I hear this fairly often, 'give me all the serums and masks'. Which is great you are wanting to step it up in the serum department, yet cleansing isn't a priority, or they are using Cetaphil or Oil of Olay. I know I say this often, but I am not here to berate your product choice or make you feel bad for what you use at home. I am here to guide you down the right path and educate you on making one or two changes for longevity. I like to emphasize the fundamentals of a good routine. We don't need the forty five step protocol here. A quality cleanser is an imperative step, and one which is matched to your pH level. You can layer, slather, and goop on all the masks and serums but if you aren't cleansing with a quality product, the money you have spent on the serums etc. won't make a difference. Truth...A cleanser which penetrates the skin and takes the day off - literally, even if you haven't left the house will make the rest of your products work in your favor.
Myth #3 Using a toner or an astringent. Back when I used Sea Breeze and it felt as if hot acid was burning my skin so it must be working. Or, Clinique toner. I remember my Mom taking me Nordstrom's and buying Clinique for me. Holy hell, I thought I was fancy with my department store yellow lotion which smelled weird, and giant purple bottle of water/toner. The toner step has been programmed in to us strategically by Clinique. Genius marketing here. Again, this is where a quality cleanser comes in. A cleanser should be doing its job and removing make up, grime, dirt, sweat, etc. Quality ingredients will add and subtract for your skins benefit. Truth....A toner with alcohol subtracts from your skin the essential oils needed for protection and repair. We are constantly confusing our skin by using a toner with alcohol. Witch hazel included. A spritzing toner with rose water or vitamin c is just fine. Why? Because you are adding hydration and not subtracting.
Myth #4 Exfoliating every day. Truth... Daily exfoliating will erode your skins natural barrier called the acid mantle. Our skin needs this layer of protection from the environment, UVA/UVB rays, bacteria, and microbiome. This is our first line of defense to keep the integrity of our skin balanced and protected. Truth...Once or twice a week is all that is needed and without heavy finger pad pressure. Ask me if you think you need to step it up, or skip a few days. I am here to help.
Myth #5 Applying SPF only in the summertime. Truth...We need the spf PROTECTION every day. For the health and longevity of aging well, this is the secret. Hands down it is up there with cleansing before bed every night.
See you soon in the treatment room. ....Boom... I made a rhyme here.
Xo,
Ashley