The internet is ripe with skincare myths about products for anti-aging, acne, and sunscreen that can cause confusion regarding what to use and a slew of complexion problems. To better understand how to separate skin care myths and facts, check out these skin care myths debunked by experts to achieve healthier skin!

Product Myths & Truths:
Here are two of the biggest skin care myths:

Myth #1: You only need a basic drugstore cleanser and moisturizer to care for your skin.
Dermatologists may indicate that all you need to care for your skin is a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, but that is just the beginning. A sulfate-free gentle face cleanser, moisturizing cream, and sunscreen are daily skincare routine musts, but incorporating an alcohol-free toner and natural skin care serum into your daily routine will significantly amplify your results. Like graduate school for the skin, they distinguish between so-so and glowing success! Unfortunately, most basic cleansers on the market still contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES), which dry the skin and damage the skin’s DNA, making it essential to choose cleansers that refrain from these harmful ingredients. Don't worry! You don't have to give up your bubbles altogether, as Pevonia offers multiple Sulfate free foaming cleansers:

• A foaming natural cleanser for oily skin that’s suitable for all skin types
• An oil-to-foam formula for dry skin, ideal for make-up wearers and double cleansing
• A gel formula for men to keep pores clear and skin calm, refreshed, and moisturized
• A rejuvenating Retinol cleanser for sun damage and uneven skin tone
• A plant based Stem Cells cleanser and toner-in-one for visible signs of aging
• A Caviar-infused formula that’s undoubtedly the best natural face cleanser for aging skin

Toners complete the cleansing process and, with the quality actives to address your skincare concerns, will level up your results. When followed with a highly concentrated Vitamin C serum or Hyaluronic Acid serum expertly formulated to penetrate deeply, you can better protect, plump, and boost your skin’s glowing radiance. Before reaching for basic drugstore or online products, be aware that many use fillers and harmful or controversial synthetic ingredients like Sulfates, Alcohol, Parabens, and Mineral Oil, leaving little room for quality active ingredients. Also, products are more than “good-looking” ingredient lists.

While ingredients appear to be similar, how they are sourced and formulated, most likely is not. Purchasing from companies that are transparent about their sourcing and use precision formulations like encapsulation and delivery systems separates simple formulas from superior, science backed skincare. While it is true that this may cause certain products to cost slightly more, these practices make a profound difference in a product’s effectiveness and whether or not it will cause irritation.

Myth #2: You need a day and night cream.
Not necessarily. Unless you plan to be outside, there is usually no need for a separate skin care cream for day and night. However, a day and night cream might be necessary for a few more reasons. If you have a commute that exposes you to UV light through car or train windows or are on screens all day, you will need a moisturizer with sunscreen in the daytime. However, if you want a more transformative evening routine, applying a Retinol cream or acid-based skin care cream at night — the best time to use these potent formulas — will take advantage of this premium repair period.

Anti-Aging Myths & Truths
It is high time that these common skincare myths to avoid and the related skincare truths were exposed.

Myth #3: Anti-aging skincare products don’t work.
Indeed, many “fountain of youth” products fall short of their claims or only temporarily smooth lines and lift the skin. However, advanced, ingredient focused formulas can and do work to minimize wrinkles and improve skin quality. Pevonia offers multiple effective skincare options that support healthy protein production, protect against early aging, and repair lines and wrinkles, promoting tauter, more youthful-looking skin. What sets results driven skincare apart from the rest is the type of ingredients and formulation methods used. Concentrated, naturally sourced quality actives compatible with the skin combined with high-performance green technologies, encapsulation, and delivery systems that enable product penetration is the point of difference.

Myth #4: With lasers, injectables, and plastic surgery, skincare for aging skin and sun damage is obsolete.
While lasers, injectables, and plastic surgery correct many signs of aging and sun damage, they can’t replace professional-grade, results driven skincare. Plant based Stem Cells, Retinol, and Caviar effectively aid in repairing advanced signs of aging and protecting the skin from further damage, while topical Neuropeptides help relax wrinkles holistically for aging gracefully and naturally.

Myth #5: Young people don't have to worry about aging.
While no one should worry about aging, consistent use of quality skincare at an early age is always beneficial as it develops a lifelong habit of taking care of one’s skin. Preventing visible signs of aging is easier than correcting them. Starting preventative products early on has been shown to postpone the appearance of visible signs of aging, keeping skin looking plump and youthful-looking longer than untreated skin. This begins with parents applying safe sun protection to their children when they’re babies to help prevent sun damage and wrinkles later in life. Continued use of a broader protection sunscreen daily throughout adulthood is a vital ongoing part of age defense.

Myth #6 Face Exercises will reduce wrinkles and tighten jowls and jawlines.
As a holistic brand, we wanted to get on board with this trend, but unfortunately, there is little to back up the benefits of face exercises for wrinkles or face exercises for sagging skin. And just as sit-ups don’t spot reduce belly fat, the same goes for face exercises to lose face fat. Experts caution that repeated movements tied to these techniques could stretch the skin on your face and neck and contribute to new wrinkles. Instead of face exercises for jowls, choosing products proven to help minimize gravity’s effects on the skin with actives like Kombucha (Black Tea), Sorghum, and Lentil Extract is a more effective approach. Instead of face yoga for anti aging, use natural products that support healthy collagen and elastin production for prevention and opt for rejuvenating and revitalizing formulas for tired, lackluster skin.

Acne Myths & Truths

Myth #7: Acne is caused by not washing your face.
Although failure to cleanse your face leads to pore-clogging and acne-triggering oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria build up in and on the skin, it doesn't directly cause acne. If acne were simply caused by dirt and wearing make-up, the problem would easily be solved.

Myth #8: Only teens experience acne.
If only that were true, teens could see a light at the end of their breakout tunnel. Just ask a few people over 20 if they get breakouts, and you will quickly learn that acne transcends teen years.  A little-known fact is that people of all ages can also use breakout solutions for teens. But if teen-centric products throw you off, Pevonia’s ProCorrective® Clear-Control Collection has everything you need to regain control over breakouts, no matter your age!

Myth #9: Spending time in the sun helps control acne.
Although baking in the sun can “dry up” pimples and may temporarily camouflage breakouts, exposure to UV rays can cause harmful sun damage and leave people prone to skin cancer, so it is not worth the risk. Plus, it triggers perspiration, which may exacerbate acne and lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and redness.

Myth #10: Diet does not affect acne.
Refined sugar, acid-forming foods (including coffee), and other inflammatory foods like saturated fats, trans-fats, and beef - foods you know to avoid for healthy skin and body - do affect acne and must be avoided for clearer skin. Sugar increases acidity and inflammation while stimulating insulin production. It and other refined carbohydrates and dairy spikes acne-producing hormones, triggering more oil output and breakouts. But diet changes alone won’t solve the problem. You need to “feed” your skin a steady diet of clean skincare for acne, too! This starts with a 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator for acne prone skin that is safe for daily use and ends with an oil-free moisturizer for acne prone skin to protect and nurture your skin barrier.

Myth 11 Toothpaste makes a good acne spot treatment.
Sorry, Charlie - toothpaste is best left for your teeth! The American Academy of Dermatology indicates that many formulas contain actives that can worsen skin woes. Ingredients like Alcohol, Menthol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda, etc. can dry, irritate, and burn the skin, creating a contact dermatitis rash that may look worse than the pimple you wanted to eliminate. Instead, “spot treat” with a blemish cream explicitly formulated to address breakouts gently yet effectively. And once or twice a week, use a purifying acne mask for additional breakout control.

Sunscreen Myths & Truths
Don’t believe the following sunscreen myths - it could save your skin and your life!

Myth #12: Sunblock with high SPF will completely protect skin from sun damage.
SPF measures how long a product protects against UVB (burning rays), not sun damage, aging, or cancer. Partly for this reason, the FDA banned the term sunblock from labels on sun protection products as it misled people to believe they were 100% protected from the sun when, in fact, they were not. A broader protection sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and blue light protection provides better defense.

Myth #13: Waterproof sunscreen will last all day - no reapplication necessary.
Terms like sweatproof and waterproof have also been banned as they made people think they could swim and not have to reapply afterwards, leaving their skin vulnerable to damaging UV rays. Sunscreen must be reapplied after swimming, sweating, and every two hours to ensure safer sun care. Lastly, no evidence supports that SPFs over 50 offer any additional UVB protection, so you can skip formulas labeled SPF 100+!

Myth #14: Getting a base tan will prevent burning, and tanning beds are safe ways to tan.
It has been proven that “base” tans do not provide extra UV protection and that all forms of tanning (aside from self-tanners) damage the skin. Tanning beds still emit UV rays that cause damage and cancers and aren’t a safe substitute for lying in the sun.

Myth #15: Sunscreen causes breakouts, irritation, and allergies.
While synthetic sunscreens can cause irritation, breakouts, and reactions, that is not true for all sunscreens. Mineral-based, ocean safe sunscreen formulas with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and other naturally sourced sunscreens (without pore-clogging Mineral Oil) soothe temperamental complexions and are deemed safe when nanotechnology isn't used.

Myth #16: No need for SPF if it is cloudy or cool outside or you plan to stay indoors.
UV rays penetrate through clouds and windows and are even emitted from light bulbs; plus, warm or cold temperatures have no bearing on how much UV exposure you receive.

Myth #17: You can skip sunscreen if you wear make-up.
Even if your foundation has sunscreen, you’d need a ton of make-up to achieve adequate UV protection. Nobody wants that spackled look!

Myth #18: My naturally dark skin will protect me from sunburns and sun damage.
Although dark-skinned folks have more protective pigment, burns can still happen. When sunburns occur, they are harder to detect and sun damage, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), and skin cancers may still occur.

Myth #19: It is healthy to spend extended time in the sun without sunscreen
While 10 minutes of sun exposure in the early morning boosts Vitamin D and offers mood elevation and other health benefits, any UV exposure beyond that is unhealthy! Plus, you can get Vitamin D safely in supplement form instead! Want to maximize results for your healthiest skin ever? Boost skin health with an in-depth consultation for your ideal products and professional treatments. VisitFind A Spa for an oasis near you offering Pevonia and ask for the Lumafirm® Lift & Glow/Freeze-Dried Facial Treatment, Micro-Retinol® Essential (Peel) Treatment, Myoxy-Caviar® Mask Treatment, Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Freeze-Dried Treatment, or ProCorrective® Clear-Control Blemished Skin Treatment, according to your skin’s needs.