3 Skincare Myths and the Truth Behind Them
by Deborah Duffey, Chief Product Development Officer and President January 6, 2023
There are a lot of myths out there when it comes to skincare. Maybe you used to believe you didn’t need sunscreen on cloudy days, or that you didn’t need to use anti-aging products until fine lines showed up. But there are more myths out there, some of which even have a grain of truth to them that makes it easier to believe they aren’t myths at all. Learning how to distinguish between skincare truths and lies is vital to being a smart skincare user—and your skin will look even better for it.
Here are three big myths in skincare and the real truth behind them.
Myth #1: Oils Cause Breakouts
Acne and oily skin seem to go hand in hand, leading to the belief that oils in skincare can make breakouts worse. And while there is some truth to this—some oils do clog pores and contribute to acne—high-quality, non-comedogenic oils can actually be beneficial to all skin types, including acne-prone. Plants oils are strong and effective ingredients, and we like to use them in many of our products, including our Hydrating Antioxidant Treatment. When used properly, they won’t cause skin to appear oily, either. Don’t shy away from trying oils or products that incorporate oils. If you do, you’re missing out on an entire, powerful world of skin-beneficial ingredients.
Myth #2: You Should Store Your Skincare Products in the Fridge
The way you store your skincare products can have an effect on their longevity, which has led to the myth that storing skincare products in the fridge can keep them effective for longer. Like most myths, there’s some truth to this one, too. Some products do keep better in the fridge, but the reality is that a well-formulated product shouldn’t have to be refrigerated in order to guarantee its efficacy. It may feel nice to use a cool salve on your skin, but most products are designed to be stored at room temperature. Kara Vita products, for example, are formulated with a long, two-year shelf life when stored at room temperature, no refrigeration needed.
Myth #3: The Ingredient Label Tells You Everything You Need to Know
Learning about ingredients goes a long way to help you understand what exactly skincare products can do. But just knowing names and uses isn’t enough. In fact, unless you were in the room when the product was formulated, there’s no way for you to know everything you need to in order to understand a product’s efficacy. Most labels don’t tell you what you really need to know: Where were the ingredients sourced, and are those high-quality suppliers? What is the pH of the formula, and is it the correct pH for the ingredients to be effective? What is the percentage of each ingredient, and is it high or low enough? Do you know how every ingredient interacts with each other? All of these questions need to be answered, and most brands don’t include the information on the label.
