When it comes to skincare, there’s a lot of advice I’m sure many of us have been guilty of accepting as fact. Oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser. You should exfoliate every day for truly glowy skin. If a product tingles, it must be working. And SPF? That’s for sunny days, right?
The problem is, some of the most common skincare “rules” aren’t just outdated, they could actually be doing your skin more harm than good!
So, how many have you been guilty of believing? Keep reading as we countdown the biggest skincare myths and explain what your skin actually needs instead.
1. You only need SPF when it’s sunny
It’s easy to think of sunscreen as something you reach for when the sun is shining, you’re heading to the beach or it’s particularly hot outside. But UV exposure doesn’t disappear when the temperature drops or it’s overcast! UVA rays (which are the biggest contributor to premature skin ageing and pigmentation!) are present throughout the year and can also penetrate glass!
That’s why broad-spectrum SPF should be part of your morning skincare routine, just like cleansing and moisturising. Something you do every. single. day, not something you save only for summer!
And remember, incidental exposure counts too! We are talking driving, walking the dog, sitting near a window or grabbing a coffee outside can all add to the cumulative UV exposure your skin receives over time.
Want to know the SPF products we already recommend? Click here.
2. Oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser
It makes sense in theory (because it seems completely counterintuitive!). If your skin is already producing plenty of oil, why would you want to add more moisture by applying a moisturiser? Because oil and hydration are two different things!
Oily skin can still be dehydrated. In fact, stripping oily skin with harsh cleansers or skipping moisturiser altogether can leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable and compromise the skin barrier.
The trick is choosing the right moisturiser. Oily and combination skin generally doesn't need a thick, rich cream, so look for something lightweight that hydrates without leaving your skin feeling heavy or greasy.
Try: Pevonia Combination Skin Cream. It’s a lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser that gives combination and mildly oily skin the hydration it needs while helping to control excess oil and shine. With Aloe Vera, Arnica and Lemongrass, it also helps soothe, balance and refine the appearance of pores, leaving skin feeling comfortably hydrated rather than heavy or greasy.
3. More active ingredients = better results
Retinol. Vitamin C. AHAs. BHAs. Peptides. Hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide. With so many impressive skincare ingredients available, it’s easy to assume that using more of them must mean better, or faster results, right?
Not necessarily.
Layering multiple strong actives, particularly when your skin isn't accustomed to them, can lead to redness, dryness, sensitivity and a weakened skin barrier. And once your skin becomes irritated, suddenly even the products you normally tolerate can start to sting!
A good skincare routine isn't about squeezing as many active ingredients as possible into every application. It’s about choosing ingredients that address your skin concerns and using them appropriately and consistently.
Just remember, more isn't always more when it comes to skincare. A few well-chosen products used consistently will often serve your skin far better than an overcrowded routine.! If you’re not sure what to use and when, read our guide to morning vs evening skincare: which products should you use and when?
4. You should feel your skincare working
We’ve probably all had that moment when a product tingles and thought, Ooh, it must be doing something!
But tingling, stinging and especially burning are not signs that a product is somehow “working harder”!
Yes, certain active ingredients can sometimes cause a mild, temporary sensation, particularly when you first introduce them. But persistent stinging, burning or significant redness is your skin telling you something isn't right and it’s worth listening!
Continually irritating your skin can disrupt its protective barrier and leave it more prone to dryness, sensitivity and inflammation.
So no, you don’t need to ‘feel’ your skincare for it to be working. In fact, some of the most effective skincare products can feel like they're doing absolutely nothing when you apply them... while quietly getting on with the job!
5. You need to exfoliate every day
If exfoliating makes your skin smoother and brighter, doing it every day should make it even smoother and brighter... right?
Sadly, skin doesn't quite work like that!
Exfoliation is an essential part of a skincare routine in that it helps remove accumulated surface cells and can improve the appearance of dullness, roughness and uneven texture.
But there is definitely such a thing as too much exfoliation.
Overdo it (particularly if you're combining acids, scrubs and other resurfacing ingredients) and you can damage your skin barrier, leaving skin red, tight, flaky and suddenly sensitive to products it normally loves.
How often you need to exfoliate depends on your skin and the type of exfoliant you're using. For many of us, a few times a week is plenty!
Try: Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser for gentle physical exfoliation. It's a creamy, non-foaming exfoliating cleanser that gently buffs away dead skin cells and impurities without stripping the skin. With natural Jojoba Beads, Chamomile and Calendula, it helps smooth and refine skin texture while leaving your complexion feeling soft, refreshed and comfortable, not tight or over-exfoliated!
And if your skin is already feeling sore, tight or unusually sensitive? Give the exfoliation a break and concentrate on getting your skin barrier happy again first!
6. Drinking more water will hydrate dry skin
“Your skin is dry? Drink more water!” We’ve all heard this one!
Now, drinking enough water is obviously important for your overall health, but adding a few extra glasses a day isn't necessarily going to solve persistently dry skin.
This is where the difference between dry and dehydrated skin becomes really important.
Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water, and confusingly, your skin can be both at the same time!
If your skin is dehydrated, adding water-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid directly to your skincare routine can help replenish hydration where your skin needs it.
Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum, formulated with ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to give dehydrated skin an intensive hydration boost! Apply it before your moisturiser to help leave skin feeling plumper, softer and more comfortable.
So keep drinking your water! Just don't expect your water bottle to do the job of your skincare routine!
7. Retinol thins your skin
If you've ever avoided retinol because you've heard it “thins the skin”, you're definitely not the only one! But this myth comes from a misunderstanding of what retinol actually does.
When you first introduce retinol, you can experience dryness, flaking or sensitivity while your skin adjusts. That can make skin feel more delicate temporarily, but it doesn't mean retinol is gradually thinning your skin! Quite the opposite in fact! Retinol supports skin cell turnover and collagen production and can help improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture, pigmentation and other visible signs of ageing.
The important part is how you use it. Start gradually, choose an appropriate formula and don't assume using more, more often, will get you faster results. See myth #3!
Try: The Pevonia Micro-Retinol range, which combines stabilised retinol with complementary ingredients to deliver resurfacing and age-defying benefits while taking a considered approach to the skin.
And yes, we're going to say it again! If you're using retinol, don't forget your daily SPF! As using it can make your skin sun sensitive.
8. Face oils can replace moisturiser
We LOVE a good face oil, particularly when skin is feeling dry, tight or in need of a little extra nourishment.
But a face oil and a moisturiser aren't necessarily doing the same job.
Facial oils are wonderful for replenishing lipids, softening the skin and helping reduce moisture loss. What they aren't particularly good at doing on their own is adding water to dehydrated skin.
If your skin is both dry and dehydrated, try applying a hydrating serum first, followed by your moisturiser and then, if your skin still needs a little more nourishment, a few drops of face oil.
Does that mean everyone needs serum, moisturiser and oil every night? Absolutely not! It’s about adjusting your routine according to what your skin needs at that time!
Try: Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate. This is the most beautiful, divine smelling and deeply nourishing facial oil which combines vitamins with botanical oils to help soften, comfort and replenish dry-feeling skin.
9. Once you find a skincare routine, you should stick with it forever
We talk a lot about consistency in skincare, and for good reason. Switching products every few days because you haven't seen an overnight transformation isn't going to do your skin any favours! But consistency doesn't mean using exactly the same routine forever!
Your skin changes throughout your life. Age, hormones, seasons, lifestyle and environment can all affect how dry, oily, sensitive or resilient it feels.
The lightweight moisturiser that was perfect in your 30s might not give your skin enough support in your 40s. The rich cream you love during winter might feel far too heavy when summer arrives. And hormonal changes can suddenly make previously predictable skin behave very differently.
You certainly don't need to overhaul your routine every few months. Just check in with your skin occasionally and ask yourself: Are these products still giving my skin what it needs now?
If the answer is yes, brilliant! Keep going! If not, it might be time for a few tweaks.
10. Dry skin just needs a richer moisturiser
Surely if your skin feels dry, the answer is simply a thicker, richer cream? Sometimes, yes! But not always.
If you're applying a rich moisturiser morning and night and your skin still feels tight, thirsty or uncomfortable, piling an even heavier cream over the top may not fix the problem.
Your skin could actually be dehydrated and lacking water, rather than simply needing more oil. Or your skin barrier might be compromised, meaning it's struggling to hold onto moisture effectively.
This is where what you apply before moisturiser can make such a difference.
Try adding a hydrating serum to slightly damp skin first, then follow with your moisturiser to help seal that hydration in.
Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum. Layer it underneath your moisturiser when your skin needs an extra hydration boost. You can also add Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid HydraMist after cleansing or throughout the day when your skin is feeling particularly thirsty.
Sometimes the answer isn't a heavier moisturiser. Your skin might simply need more hydration underneath it!
So... how many did you believe?
One? Five? All ten?! Don't worry, some of these skincare myths have been around for so long it's hardly surprising we still believe them!
The biggest thing to remember is that good skincare doesn't need to be complicated. You don't need every trending active, your products don't need to tingle to prove they're working and you certainly don't need a 12-step routine!
Pay attention to your skin, give it what it actually needs and don't be afraid to adjust your routine when those needs change.
And perhaps most importantly? Wear your SPF! Yes, even when it's cloudy!
