There are more anti-ageing wellness myths than there are products on the shelf, whether they hail from generational Chinese whispers, or their grounding in “modern technology.” However, with the help of wellness experts, doctors and years of research, we’ve separated fact from fiction.
1. You Should Scrub Your Skin Squeaky-Clean: Whether you wash your face more than twice a day, or with products that leave your skin as tight as a drum, you can actually do more harm than good to the wellbeing of your skin. According to dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Karcher, ‘The water-cleanser combo can strip the skin of its natural oils and compromise its barrier, which can set you up for irritation and dehydration.’ Therefore, it’s best to avoid cleansers that contain harsh surfactants – which includes sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) – as these products rid your skin of too much oil and leave it so dry that it feels taut. Instead, look for gentler cleansers that include ingredients such as coco betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, coco glucoside, decyl glucoside, and sucrose laurate.
2. Botox Can Prevent Wrinkles: While this is theoretically true, no long-term studies support this claim. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt explains, ‘If you relax the muscles that continually contract, you’ll be less apt to see creases over time. But other strategies, like using sunscreen and keeping up proper skin care, are more reliable and certainly less expensive options for fending off wrinkles.’ If you really must go for Botox, dermatologist Karyn Grossman recommends beginning Botox treatments no earlier than your 30s, which is when fine lines first appear.
3. Oily Skin Doesn’t Wrinkle as Much as Dry Skin: Brandt notes, ‘Oily skin may fend off wrinkles more easily because it tends to be thicker, which affords more natural protection against sun damage.’ Dr. Ruthie Harper, an internist in Austin, Texas, adds, ‘Women with oily skin may have higher testosterone levels, which can help protect against diminished collagen levels and, in turn, wrinkles.’ That said, oil-prone skin can still look old, especially when you consider the fact that factors such as sun exposure and smoking speed up the ageing process and cause wrinkles, regardless of your skin type.
4. Junk Food Causes Acne: Dermotologist David Bank confirms, ‘So far, no studies have shown a direct correlation between junk food and breakouts or acne.’ Yet high-glycaemic foods (typically foods that contain refined carbohydrates) have recently been linked to breakouts among people who are acne-prone. This is because such foods can quickly raise your blood sugar and insulin levels, leading to inflammation and, as a result, acne. Therefore, Harper recommends limiting these possible triggers and balancing them out with foods and beverages that contain anti-inflammatory benefits, such as green tea, broccoli, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
5. You Should Use Skincare Products From the Same Line: ‘Generally this is just clever marketing,’ says Bank. However, certain ingredients do become more effective when used together, and so some companies spread these factors out amongst their lines. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid, for example, work to unclog pores and prevent future spots, and so companies tend to separate these ingredients into two products – often an anti-acne cleanser and a gel treatment. Grossman admits, ‘If you’re trying to address a specific problem, like acne-prone skin or dark spots, this prepackaged approach may make it easier.’
6. You Can Get Rid of Cellulite: ‘No cellulite fix is permanent,’ warns dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel. ‘Even liposuction, which removes excess deep-fat deposits, doesn’t necessarily improve the surface of the skin to the degree where the dimpled effect is invisible.’