The internet is full of skincare advice. Some of it’s solid. A lot of it’s garbage.
And unfortunately, bad advice spreads faster than good advice. Before you know it, everyone’s rubbing lemon on their face or using toothpaste as spot treatment—both terrible ideas, by the way.
Let’s set the record straight. Here are the most common skincare myths (and the actual facts).
Myth #1: “Toothpaste Cures Pimples”
The Claim: Apply toothpaste overnight and your pimple will disappear.
The Reality: Toothpaste contains irritating ingredients (baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, menthol) that can burn your skin and cause inflammation. Sure, it might dry out a pimple—it’ll also leave a dark mark and make things worse.
What Actually Works:
Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a visit to the dermatologist for a cortisone shot.
Myth #2: “Natural and Organic Means Better”
The Claim: If it’s natural, it’s safe and effective.
The Reality: Poison ivy is natural. So is arsenic. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe or effective.
Many natural ingredients (lemon juice, cinnamon, mint) are highly irritating. Meanwhile, lab-formulated ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are incredibly effective and gentle.
The Truth:
Ingredients matter more than whether they’re natural or synthetic. Evidence-based skincare wins every time.
Myth #3: “You Don’t Need Sunscreen on Cloudy Days”
The Claim: No sun = no sunscreen needed.
The Reality: Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate clouds. UVA rays (the aging ones) pass right through windows too.
You need sunscreen every single day. Cloudy, rainy, indoors—doesn’t matter.
The Truth:
SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, every morning, 365 days a year. No exceptions.
Myth #4: “Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer”
The Claim: If your skin is oily, moisturizer will make it worse.
The Reality: Skipping moisturizer makes oily skin produce MORE oil to compensate for dehydration.
The Truth:
Everyone needs moisturizer. Oily skin just needs a lightweight, oil-free, gel-based formula.
Myth #5: “Expensive Products Work Better”
The Claim: Higher price = better results.
The Reality: Some expensive products are great. Some are overpriced marketing. Some drugstore products outperform luxury brands.
What matters: active ingredients and formulation, not packaging or brand name.
The Truth:
A ₹500 sunscreen with the right SPF beats a ₹5,000 fancy cream with no actives any day.
Myth #6: “Pores Open and Close”
The Claim: Steam opens pores, cold water closes them.
The Reality: Pores don’t have muscles. They can’t open or close.
Steam softens sebum, making pores appear smaller temporarily. Cold water constricts blood vessels, creating a tightening effect. But pores themselves don’t change.
The Truth:
Exfoliation, retinoids, and niacinamide actually reduce pore appearance by keeping them clear and boosting collagen.
Myth #7: “You Can Shrink Pores Permanently”
The Claim: There’s a product that will permanently shrink large pores.
The Reality: Pore size is largely genetic. You can’t permanently shrink them.
The Truth:
You CAN minimize their appearance by keeping them unclogged (exfoliation, retinoids) and boosting collagen (retinoids, vitamin C). But stop as soon as you stop treating them, they’ll look larger again.
Myth #8: “Drinking Water Clears Acne”
The Claim: Drink 8 glasses of water daily and your acne will disappear.
The Reality: Hydration is good for overall health, but it won’t cure acne.
Acne is caused by oil production, bacteria, clogged pores, and hormones—not dehydration.
The Truth:
Drink water for health. Treat acne with proper skincare and dermatologist-prescribed treatments.
Myth #9: “You Should Exfoliate Every Day”
The Claim: Daily exfoliation = glowing skin.
The Reality: Over-exfoliation damages your skin barrier, causing redness, sensitivity, breakouts, and irritation.
The Truth:
2-3 times per week is plenty for most people. Use gentle chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs) over harsh scrubs.
Myth #10: “Acne is Caused by Dirty Skin”
The Claim: Wash your face more and your acne will go away.
The Reality: Acne is caused by hormones, genetics, oil production, and bacteria—not dirt.
Over-washing strips natural oils, irritates skin, and can make acne worse.
The Truth:
Wash twice daily with a gentle cleanser. See a dermatologist for proper acne treatment.
Myth #11: “Anti-Aging Products Only Work After 30”
The Claim: You don’t need anti-aging products until you see wrinkles.
The Reality: Prevention is easier than correction. Starting early (mid-20s) slows aging significantly.
The Truth:
Sunscreen, antioxidants (vitamin C), and retinoids in your 20s = better skin in your 40s-50s.
Myth #12: “Makeup Causes Acne”
The Claim: Wearing makeup = guaranteed breakouts.
The Reality: Non-comedogenic makeup doesn’t clog pores. What DOES cause acne? Not removing makeup properly at night.
The Truth:
Use non-comedogenic products. Double cleanse every night. You’re fine.
Myth #13: “You Can Detox Your Skin”
The Claim: Special diets, teas, or masks “detox” your skin.
The Reality: Your liver and kidneys detox your body. Your skin is an elimination organ, but it doesn’t need special detoxes.
“Detox” products are mostly marketing.
The Truth:
Good skincare routine + healthy lifestyle = healthy skin. No detox needed.
Myth #14: “Retinol Thins Your Skin”
The Claim: Retinol makes your skin fragile and thin.
The Reality: Retinol initially thins the OUTER dead skin layer (which is what you want—smoother skin). But it THICKENS the deeper dermal layer by boosting collagen.
Net result? Stronger, more resilient skin.
The Truth:
Retinol is one of the best anti-aging ingredients. Use it correctly and your skin gets better, not weaker.
Myth #15: “You Build Tolerance to Skincare Products”
The Claim: Products stop working after a while, so you need to switch constantly.
The Reality: Some products (like exfoliants) may seem less effective as your skin adjusts, but most continue working.
What’s likely happening: you’ve achieved maximum results and expect continued dramatic improvement.
The Truth:
If something works, stick with it. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
Myth #16: “Sunscreen Prevents Vitamin D Absorption”
The Claim: Sunscreen blocks vitamin D synthesis, causing deficiency.
The Reality: You’d need to apply sunscreen perfectly, in massive amounts, never miss a spot, and never get any sun exposure for this to be an issue.
In reality, most people get enough vitamin D even with daily sunscreen use. Plus, you can get vitamin D from food and supplements.
The Truth:
Skin cancer > vitamin D concerns. Wear sunscreen. Take a supplement if needed.
Myth #17: “Coconut Oil is Great for Everyone”
The Claim: Coconut oil is a miracle product for all skin types.
The Reality: Coconut oil is highly comedogenic (pore-clogging). For many people, especially those prone to acne, it causes breakouts.
The Truth:
Great for dry body skin or hair. Terrible for acne-prone faces.
Myth #18: “Sleeping in Makeup Once Won’t Hurt”
The Claim: It’s fine to skip cleansing occasionally.
The Reality: One night won’t permanently damage your skin, but it can:
- Clog pores
- Cause breakouts
- Prevent skin repair
- Lead to dullness
Do it repeatedly and you’ll definitely see consequences.
The Truth:
Keep micellar water by your bed for lazy nights. No excuses.
Myth #19: “Eye Cream is a Scam”
The Claim: Eye creams are just overpriced face moisturizers.
The Reality: Partly true. Some eye creams are overpriced. But the skin around your eyes IS thinner and more delicate and benefits from targeted formulas (retinol at lower strengths, peptides, caffeine for puffiness).
The Truth:
You don’t NEED eye cream, but a good one can help with dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines specifically.
Myth #20: “Popping Pimples Helps Them Heal Faster”
The Claim: Just pop it and it’ll go away quicker.
The Reality: Popping pushes bacteria deeper, increases inflammation, and raises scarring risk dramatically.
The Truth:
Leave it alone. Use spot treatment. See a dermatologist for stubborn cysts.
What ACTUALLY Works: Evidence-Based Skincare
Proven Effective:
1. Sunscreen (SPF 50+, broad-spectrum)
2. Retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol)
3. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
4. Niacinamide
5. Hyaluronic acid
6. Chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs)
7. Benzoyl peroxide (acne)
8. Azelaic acid (pigmentation, acne)
Unproven/Overhyped:
1. Jade rollers (feel nice, don’t do much)
2. Pore strips (temporary, can damage skin)
3. DIY lemon/baking soda treatments (harmful)
4. “Detox” masks (marketing)
The Golden Rules of Skincare
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable
- Simpler is often better (don’t over-complicate)
- Patch test new products
- Give products time (4-6 weeks minimum)
- See a dermatologist for real concerns
- Evidence over trends
Ready for Science-Based Skincare?
Stop guessing. Get expert advice tailored to YOUR skin. Book your consultation today for healthier, clearer, and more confident skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are expensive products always better?
No. Ingredients and formulation matter more than price.
Can I skip moisturizer if I have oily skin?
No. You need a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer.
Do pores really open and close?
No. They don’t have muscles.
Is natural skincare safer?
Not necessarily. Some natural ingredients are harsh. Some synthetic ones are gentle.
Will drinking water clear my acne?
No, but stay hydrated for overall health.
Should I exfoliate every day?
No. 2-3 times per week is enough.