5 skin care myths

by Lauren Greschner (Subscribe to Lauren Greschner's posts)
Sep 11th 2007 2:24PM

Glowing, youthful skin tends to rate pretty high on the list of beauty must-haves for a lot of women. So you drink as much water as you can stomach and you pay for expensive moisturizers, but you've still got pimples and all that H2O means you're spending the greater part of your life in the toilet.

Ever wondered just how true all of that info on how to get great skin is? Me too. So without further ado, may I present you with 5 common skin care myths:

Vitamins make skin look healthy -- While taking vitamins may be great for your overall health, and while a healthy person usually has healthy-looking skin, just taking vitamins won't equal a gorgeous glow. A well-balanced diet is the way to go.
8 glasses of water is great, 15 is better -- 8 glasses of water a day will keep you hydrated so your skin will look its best, however you still have to eat well. You can drink all the water you want but it's not going to help if you eat greasy fast food at every meal.
Expensive creams are the only way to go -- Spending a fortune on pricey skin creams does not equal healthy-looking skin. A doctor discussed in the article recommends Olay Regenerist and Provage, which you can get for about $20 at the drugstore.
Acne is just for teens -- Acne and pimples don't just strike teenagers; women in their 20s are just as likely to get hit with a zit. If you're well past your teens and suddenly have begun to break out, talk to a dermatologist about how to deal with it.
Lots of moisturizer makes skin look better-- Moisturizing all of the time can actually make your skin look worse if it's naturally oily, so avoid anything with the word oil in it. Talk to your dermatologist about what would work best for you.

What's one tip that is true? Wear a moisturizer with SPF to help prevent skin cancer and also wear a sunscreen to help prevent wrinkles. For more information, Take a look here.

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Comments (36)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Lee 9-13-2007 @ 10:43AM

EXCUSE ME! Women in their 50s can still have zits!

hioadjioawdiow 9-13-2007 @ 10:43AM

NO ONE CARES LEE, F*** YOU.

Info.tech 9-13-2007 @ 10:44AM

Any types of ages can have pimples because we still can clog your face so there is no way some can't have pimples.

chris 9-13-2007 @ 10:44AM

Its just a MYTH Lee. I was thinking the same thing but then i realized they are speaking about myths. Cause god knows i still get them once in a while and im in my mid 30's.
:)

KJ 9-13-2007 @ 10:44AM

I have to say that I am a 30-something that gets break outs still. I had perfect skin all through high school, and even in my 20's. My 30's have brought many more skin issues than I have ever had. I have switched to using clinique's new acne line, and it has made a real diffference in my skin. At night I use BioElements oil free Sleepware, and yes, Sleepware is spelt properly in this case. I have tried ProActiv, and several others before giving the Clinique line a shot, and I have to say that I prefer it to ProActiv. I suppose my point with this is that ,as far as skin care goes, you have to kiss A LOT of frogs before you find a prince.

Nancy Dugan 9-13-2007 @ 10:44AM

Talk about myths, and misinformation! Dermatologists are desperately trying to tap into the bazillion dollar cosmetic skin care empire, because they're not the biggest earners in the med world, and they are of the most looked down upon by their snootier colleagues. Doctors are taught little to nothing about cosmetic science, and are only beginning to look at it for the money.
Case in point. . . Pricey moisturizers are not necessary. . . well, what's Prevage at $150 per 1.7 ounce? That's cheap? And it isn't even a moisturizer. .. it's a specialty treatment with little to no surface protectant, which would require a drier skin to still use a moisturizer. And the comment about moisturizer making your skin look worse? How many people will skim past the point in that sentence where is says IF your skin is oily, and then blindly repeat "Use products with no oil". That's just not true for 90% of the public. There are some very effective "moisturizers" that are in fact humectants (hydrating), NOT emollients (oil based) that are far better for oily skin than nothing at all, and able to deliver effective ingredients such as antibacterials, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and others, while rebalancing an inbalanced acid mantle. The public sees this as a "moisturizer" but an experienced Esthetician will know and prescribe the different needs based upon the skin type. Trust the people who are trained in this modality and that have demonstrated through their commitment and longevity that they help their clients. Ask around, and get a referral to a skin specialist. Use the doctor when something is medically wrong, and keep your Esthetician in the loop. A good Esthetician will know when the doctor is necessary, will likely recommend a proven one, and will come in handy when it comes time to repair the ancillary damage to the skin done by the treatments necessary to treat a medical condition.

Sarah 9-13-2007 @ 11:04AM

Blah... zits. Never had one in highschool... started breaking out (especially around the mouth area, chink and between the eyes) in my early-mid twenties. Now 32, it hasn't subsided. The only thing that helps is being on the birth control pill. For me, acne is a hormonal issue, not a "moisturizer" or "cleanser" issue. The pill almost totally clears up my skin. But I don't like taking hormones. I wish there were some sort of topical acne cream that would not totally dry and ravage my skin. Benzomycin (prescription) works wonders, but it is very drying and it bleaches out my pillowcases and towels. Why don't men have these problems??????

sandy beach 9-13-2007 @ 11:25AM

Avoiding chemical toxins completely will also help with skin beauty as our skin is the largest organ of our body. Same goes for ingesting toxins that make up most of the ingredients in processed foods. Politically Incorrect Nutrition
by Michael Barbee, C.D.C. is a good book and I found it on acresusa.com bookstore. Mary Wilhite (I think tha tis her last name) has published a variety of books including poison in our food, and chemicals in our cosmetics. Both list toxins that the FDA has permitted into our environment. For example Canada will not allow nitrates nor nitrites in their products, both known carcinogens, and yet they are rampant in the u.s. food supply chain.

mr.ed 9-13-2007 @ 11:28AM

I am 50 yrs old and have worked for the most exclusive cosmetic companys here and abroad and have met and worked with the biggest models and movie stars and guess what, with every thing available to us 90% of us still have break out even if only now and then.In todays world with dirty cities fast food and stress so much a part of our lives all things we used to think don't hold true any longer .Eating well plenty of rest and proper skin care help but it is not enough sometimes.Breakouts can happen to anyone at anytime, my dad is 75 and still gets some pretty nasty zits.Over cleaning and over moistureising can be as bad as not doing anything.Oh before I go change your pillow cases often.

Kit 9-13-2007 @ 12:17PM

The dermatologist is an idiot. I know two dermatologists PERSONALLY who told me that they get a kick back for pushing the crap such as CETAPHIL. The crap has no alkaline and anyone who knows anything about chemistry, knows that is the ingredient that breaks down oil and dirt. Hence the reason you follow with a toner. The *only* reason for a toner, is to bring back the normal Ph of the skin, which is acid. I am an R/N Aesthetician, and my advice to all, is to find a good Aesthetician and get regular facials and use some good products.

Unfortunately some women would rather buy the most expensive makeup (lipstick/foundation/etc.) and have bad skin underneath. UGGG

Its like putting on a fancy dress on a dirty body.

Dominique 9-13-2007 @ 12:18PM

I have only started to break at age 19. I tried the birth control and it only made it worse and talk about being SICK!! It was the weakest one too i have also found that the more antibiotics and prescriptions I used helped for the first month then just made it worse. Right now I just use proactive. I still break out but not as bad. For some reason I was getting cysts maybe a reversive allergic reaction to the stronger presciptions. The proactive doesnt irritate that and the sulfur mask helps with the marks. I drink only water with the occasional cup of tea and try to avoid sugar and greasy foods as much as possible..sometimes it cant be avoided..and I exercise..it cuts down on stress

Pam 9-13-2007 @ 12:45PM

RE Cetaphil being crap - I am 55 years old and have had ultra-sensitive skin all of my life. I recently started using Cetaphil products, and lo and behold, my skin has calmed down 90%. Everyone is different, and one product that is useless for one person can be a godsend to another. The bonus is that Cetaphil is super-reasonable.

Vicky 9-13-2007 @ 1:39PM

Where is Carmindy for Makeup and skin care news? AOL used to have her on and she would suggest low priced and high end cosmetics for different ages. It was practical and not endorsing any one brand like that L'Oreal guy... She knew what she was talking about, too.

rjmessner 9-13-2007 @ 1:39PM

OK folks, I think we all have gotten a little too worked up about skin care. I have found that over the years that if you eat right, excerise and take care of your skin you will look great. It's not rocket science ladies and you dont need pricey products. Just treat your body right and it will return the favor. So relax and and stop eating crap, it will pay off ten fold. and remember we are all beautiful even if we have a pimple or two.

barni 9-13-2007 @ 2:33PM

For amazing skin care, check out Swiss Formulated Arbonne international - pure, safe, beneficial. Vegan certified, botanically based, no mineral oils.
www.arbonne.com

Maureen 9-13-2007 @ 2:33PM

hioadjioawdiow I have two words for you: seek help. What's with the gratuitous---oh wait, you won't what that means. What's with the pointless, vicious comment to Lee???

Debi 9-13-2007 @ 9:44PM

Most cosmetics today, no matter the cost, contain parabens which are being studied for their link to breast cancer. Check your products and you will find parabens in many products you use each day. It is usually followed by the prefix butyl, methyl or propyl. My friends and I filled garbage bags full of products containing this chemical, which is used as a preservative, and tossed them. The body mistakes parabens for estrogen. Go to the Seventh Generation site and search for parabens, do research of your own and go to www.cosmeticdatabase.com to find out the saftey of your skin and body care products.

Lori 9-14-2007 @ 11:09AM

I had skin problems until I tried Arbonne. When I stopped putting all that artificial junk on my face and body and in my body my skin cleared up. Arbonne is botanical and pure. Between their skincare and vitamins and weightloss products I'm looking better than ever at 45!

Susan 9-17-2007 @ 11:01PM

I think Olay and Loreal both have quality products that work for most people. Also, Cetaphil products are great! (I don't work for any of these companies nor do I have a financial interest in them.) Also, let me say that I looked at this forum for the first time today and I am amazed at some people's attitudes and the language in their comments. We are what we say and write.

Blondie 9-17-2007 @ 11:01PM

Forget creams and all those complicated products. When I was a teenager, I washed my face with either soap and water or Noxema. When I get an occasional zit, I dab a dot of the simplest of all pimple medicines: Clearasil--LOL, yeah, the "teen's" brand. I'm not a teen anymore, but it still works in one day. I'm downright famed for my clear skin and complexion, and I do next to nothing to keep it that way, except to keep it clean. If my skin seems dry (rarely), I put a little Clinique moisturizing lotion on it. If I don't have any of that, heck, hand lotion or baby oil, or whatever works, is good. If I need a touch of powder (rarely), I put a little on. I don't go overboard on anything, and those things I listed rarely happen at all. It costs next to zilch to keep care of your skin. Those who pay a fortune for all those creams and such are being conned. Note: women usually wear makeup foundation, so making sure that the texture of that foundation is right for your skin type is also important.

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