Drinking water will not tackle wrinkles and nine other surprising skincare myths I am a consultant dermatologist with an interest in medical dermatology, beauty, skincare and aesthetics. I have seen hundreds if […]

I am a consultant dermatologist with an interest in medical dermatology, beauty, skincare and aesthetics. I have seen hundreds if not thousands of patients walking into my clinics over the years with concerns about their skin. Information has become more accessible and many people turn to the internet in search of skincare advice. But much of what is out there is poor-quality or heavily sponsored by brands and it can be hard to cut through the noise. Looking after our skin does not need to be complicated or expensive and quality advice should be accessible to all of us. The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Below are some of the most common myths my patients ask questions about each day, and the information you actually need to know.

Daily skincare

1. Moisturisers and serums can stop working over time so we should be switching up our products

There isn’t much evidence to suggest that products stop working over time. Skin can change over the years because of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, the menopause and many other factors, so changing your routine to reflect the changing needs of your skin is important.

2. Anti-cellulite creams are effective

Cellulite is extremely common and many of us have it. There isn’t much evidence to back the use of anti-cellulite creams. Many of these contain caffeine as an active ingredient and may temporarily improve the skin’s appearance – if cellulite is mild. Treatments that can have varying degrees of success in improving cellulite appearance include dry brushing, weight loss/building muscle via strength training, and clinic-based devices such as CellFina.

Going natural

3. It’s always better to use natural and organic products

Absolutely not.

There is a huge misconception that if a product is natural or organic it is somehow safer or better for the skin. This is categorically not the case. Firstly, there is no unifying legal definition for “natural” or “organic” – what I consider to be natural may not be what you consider to be natural. Even the various certification bodies for these products do not have the same criteria. Secondly, many “natural” products contain plants or herbal extracts, which have the ability to cause allergy and irritation in the same way as a synthetic product would.

Pollution

4. There is nothing we can do to stop the effects of pollution

Air pollution is made up of a number of substances including particulate matter, polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, oxides, ozone and cigarette smoke. These agents have been shown to have detrimental effects on the skin including premature skin ageing and potential worsening of conditions such as eczema. Much of the damage is done through the action of highly reactive molecules known as free radicals and antioxidant serums may have the ability to limit this damage.

Cleansing your skin thoroughly at night to remove the remainders of the day is vitally important.

Water

5. Drinking water really makes a difference to skin

This is one of the biggest skin myths that never seems to go away – drinking lots of water does not flush out toxins from the skin or lead to better skin hydration. Unfortunately, increasing your water intake will not make any difference to wrinkles or the smoothness of your skin. There is no scientific data to back this myth up.

6. Skincare products should be chosen based on your age

Skincare should be chosen based on specific concerns, such as spots, pigmentation, dryness or fine lines. No two people are necessarily going to age in the same way. Different ethnicities age in different ways, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol intake all need to be considered.

In short: choosing products solely on age is not a good idea.

Sun protection

7. All sun damage is done by the time you’re 18

False. Sun damage due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a cumulative process – it adds up over the years. It is never too late to start wearing sunscreen to protect your skin.

8. SPF in foundation and moisturiser is enough

In an ideal world it is always better to use a separate sunscreen rather than rely on SPF in make-up or moisturiser. Generally speaking, no one uses enough moisturiser or make-up product to get the same effect as a sunscreen. Secondly, SPF is only a marker of protection from UVB light from the sun. UVA rays can also be damaging and broad-spectrum sunscreens can offer protection against this, whereas moisturisers and make-up may not.

Treatments

9. There is no such thing as too many active ingredients

Yes, there is. Recent trends in skincare, particularly from Asia, involve hugely complex, multi-step layering of skincare products. Many of these products are not made to be used together and applying a large number of active ingredients on to the skin can trigger allergy, sensitivity or irritation. It is much better to identify one or two skincare concerns and then use ingredients that are multi-purpose to address these. If in doubt, a good cosmetic dermatologist can advise appropriately after assessing your skin.

10. Using too much eye cream can cause puffiness or make lines worse

Using too much eye cream is unlikely to cause puffiness or cause problems. Many eye creams simply have excellent hydrating properties that can temporarily improve the appearance of fine lines by plumping out the skin. But the eye area is thin and sensitive and using products with fragrances or a high level of active ingredients, such as retinols, fruit acids and vitamins, can cause irritation which in turn can lead to dryness, redness, peeling or swelling.

The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Having Great Skin by Dr Anjali Mahto is out now