Top 5 Beauty Myths Debunked

If you tell a lie enough times does it become true? That seems to be the strategy behind a big chunk of the beauty advice spewed at us from friends and family members.

Lacking facts or evidence, these skincare “secrets” fair closer to faux than fact — but that doesn’t stop us from repeating them! To halt this ugly rumor mill in its tracks, I’m debunking the top five beauty myths.

1. Age spots are just a part of aging — FALSE

Those brown discolorations that pop up on skin are not a sign of getting older but a result of too much time spent in the sun without protection. “Age spots” can appear at any age and the only way to prevent them is by limiting time exposed to sunlight and wearing sunscreen whenever outdoors. If yesterday’s sunshine has already left its mark on your skin, ingredients like fagus salvatica (beech bud extract) and niacinamide can help reverse damage already done. For a skin care product with these ingredients, that will help restore your skin to its visibly younger self, try Yon-Ka’s Serum Vital.

2. Popping a pimple is no big deal — FALSE

When you pick at your face you open your skin up to infection, damage and scarring. While a pimple may not be the prettiest thing to look at, leaving it alone will shorten its lifespan. A popped pimple will need to scab and heal (which can take days) and even after that, purple pigmentation could linger for weeks or months longer. Instead of getting cozy in front of the mirror, apply a spot treatment before going to bed, which can help reduce inflammation and redness.

3. Acne will go away with age — FALSE

For some women acne may solely be a struggle of their teenage years, but others will still deal with pimple problems later in life. There is no age limit on breaking out since acne is often a side effect of fluctuating hormones — which can occur well into our 50s. To treat breakouts at any age, use a purifying cleanser (such as Yon-Ka’s Gel Nettoyant) that will gently exfoliate skin and prevent oil from building up in your pores.

4. Blackheads can be scrubbed out — FALSE

That black spot you see on your skin is actually just the tip of the iceberg. A blackhead is the result of excess oil getting blocked in your pore by dead skin, which manipulates your pore and causes a plug (great visual, I know). Oxidation of this buildup is what turns the surface black, making it appear like a tiny black speck. Scrubbing your face won’t be enough to get deep in your pore and clear out the debris — no matter how hard you scrub! Save yourself the frustration and instead use a beauty product with fruit acids, which when used consistently is able to dissolve the blackhead from top to bottom.

5. The sun can clear up your acne by drying it out — FALSE

While a tan may help temporarily camouflage your breakouts it is more likely to make them worse. Prolonged sun exposure will dry out skin, which leads to more oil production, and more oil=more breakouts. Those using prescription or OTC acne medication are also more sensitive to sunlight, so an attempt to get a tan might just end with a nasty burn. Skip the sun and stick to a skincare regimen that helps you keep breakouts at bay.