Whenever we find ourselves scrolling through our app of choice, there seems to be a barrage of ingredients, techniques, and opinions that can make us all feel like somehow we’re doing the wrong thing when it comes to skincare. Double cleansing, those giant electric toothbrush-looking things, vitamin C… it all gets a bit confusing if you don’t know how to determine facts from fiction. In an age where we hand around beauty advice like it's a piece of gum, things become incorrect, inaccurate, and actually harmful very quickly.
Skincare myths are kind of like bad exes, they stick around way longer than they should, confuse you, and at times can lead you to break out. We’ve all heard skincare advice like “toothpaste or lemon juice gets rid of pimples”, “you don’t need to wear sunscreen every day”, or our personal favourite “you can shrink pores”, which unfortunately, you cannot.
Anyway, at Skinsmiths we believe that it's time to put these harmful wives' tales to bed once and for all, and focus on what actually works. So here are our top five skincare myths, and while we’re at it, some Skinsmiths products that actually do the job.
1. ‘Natural’ beauty is better
This whole narrative is irksome to no end. For years, vanity has been split into two rigid categories: high-maintenance and low-maintenance, with women often forced into one camp or the other. The ‘low-maintenance’ women are praised for effortless beauty and always being ready in under five minutes with nothing more than a splash of water on their faces. On the other hand, the high-maintenance women can often be villainess and vain, think Regina George, someone who takes pride in their beauty routine and is for some reason demonised for it.
There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to a more effortless beauty routine. But the idolisation of ‘low-maintenance’ beauty completely misses the point. Whether you enjoy beauty treatments or prefer to keep things simple, the time you invest in your appearance is your business and yours alone. Judging someone for using ‘too much’ skincare or makeup, or praising someone else for being ‘naturally beautiful’ only fuels the harmful stigma around women taking control of their own image. You do you.
Girls, we’re not appliances and you don’t need maintenance, so let's put this myth to bed once and for all. But low or high, it shouldn’t be considered as any form of vanity or ‘lack’ of natural beauty. As Dolly Parton famously said “if I’m gonna have any looks at all, I’m gonna have to create them”, and from some high-maintenance gals to another - we salute you.
2. You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days
This might be the most dangerous myth of them all. Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean it’s not there, throwing UV rays your way like an overenthusiastic festival-goer with a confetti cannon. UV rays are sneaky, yes, they penetrate clouds, bounce off surfaces, and work year-round to damage your skin, even when it’s freezing outside.
Sun damage doesn’t just lead to wrinkles and pigmentation; it’s also the leading cause of skin cancer. If that’s not enough reason to wear sunscreen daily, I don’t know what is. What’s even trickier is that UVA rays, which are responsible for premature ageing, penetrate even deeper into the skin than UVB rays. These rays are present at consistent levels throughout the year, so even if you’re not sunbathing in July, your skin is still being exposed in December. And don’t think sitting by a window will save you, glass doesn’t block UVA rays, meaning your skin is still vulnerable even indoors or in your car.
And, yes. even if you work from home, you’re still at risk. Blue light from screens can contribute to premature ageing, so keeping a layer of SPF on your skin is always a smart move. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s easier to prevent damage than to try and reverse it later. Consider sunscreen your best anti-ageing product.
Solution? Make SPF part of your everyday routine, rain or shine. The Skinsmiths Daily Antioxidant Defence SPF30 is lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for daily wear. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and thanks to its antioxidant-packed formula, it also defends against pollution. So, no excuses, put the damn sunscreen on.
3. If you have oily skin you don’t need moisturiser
If you’ve ever been told to “dry out” your oily skin to stop breakouts, you’ve been lied to. Skipping moisturiser doesn’t make your skin produce less oil, in fact, it does the opposite. Dehydrated skin panics and compensates by producing even more oil, which leads to clogged pores and breakouts. It’s a vicious cycle and one that’s easily avoided.
The key is to choose the right type of moisturiser. You want something lightweight and balancing, not thick and suffocating. Enter the Skinsmiths Rebalancing Moisturiser. It hydrates without heaviness, keeps oil production in check, and leaves your skin feeling soft but never greasy. See? Hydration is your friend, no matter your skin type.
Moisturising also helps maintain your skin’s protective barrier. When your skin is properly hydrated, it’s better at defending itself against pollutants, bacteria, and other irritants that can lead to breakouts. And if you’re still not convinced, skipping moisturiser can cause your skin to become unbalanced, leading to that dreaded combination of dry patches and excess oil in different areas of your face.
Another tip, if you struggle with an oily T-zone but have dry patches elsewhere, try a combination approach. Use a gel-based moisturiser on oil-prone areas and something richer where you need extra hydration. Skinsmiths’ range has solutions for both, so you don’t have to choose between a shiny forehead and flaking cheeks.
4. Exfoliating every day gives you glowy skin
Look, we get it. There’s something deeply satisfying about scrubbing your face until it feels squeaky clean. But over-exfoliation is like sanding down wood, do it too often, and you’re left with a raw, irritated surface. Your skin has a protective barrier for a reason, and overdoing it with scrubs or acids can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and breakouts. The goal isn’t to rub your skin raw guys, it’s to gently encourage cell turnover.
So put down the Apricot Scrub and aim for a chemical exfoliant 2-3 times a week. The Skinsmiths Resurfacing AHA/BHA Peel is a perfect option, balancing effectiveness with skin-soothing ingredients. It helps to slough away dead skin cells without leaving your face red and angry. But it’s also important to remember overloading your skin with actives won’t fast-track your glow, it’ll just leave you with inflammation and an impaired skin barrier. And if you’re exfoliating, make sure to double down on that SPF. Freshly exfoliated skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, and we’ve already covered why you don’t want that.
5. Chocolate causes acne
This one has been around for ages. Somewhere along the way, chocolate and chips got the blame for breakouts, and now every teenager lives in fear of a single chocolate bar ruining their skin. And while what we eat can impact our skin health, it is definitely not the only factor, and one chocolate bar definitely will not kill you we promise!
Acne is caused by a combination of factors; hormones, bacteria, genetics, and excess oil production, not only by what you eat. That said, diet can play a role. High-sugar and highly processed foods can spike insulin levels, which may contribute to inflammation and breakouts in some people. But it’s not as simple as “eat a burger, wake up with a pimple.”
If you’re prone to breakouts, focus on maintaining a solid skincare routine rather than stressing over every bite of chocolate. Skinsmiths’ Purifying Gel Cleanser is a great addition to your routine, helping to cleanse and purify without stripping the skin. Pair it with the Blemish Rescue Treatment to keep breakouts in check while still enjoying your favourite snacks.
At the end of the day, good skincare isn’t about following every trend or falling for every myth, it’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it. Science-backed ingredients, consistent sun protection, and a little bit of patience will take you further than any DIY lemon juice remedy ever will, trust us on this one.
So, let’s stop falling for skincare myths and start treating our skin with the respect it deserves. And if you need a little help? Skinsmiths has got your back.
