People often ask me whether or not they’re doing their skincare regimen correctly and what they should be using. With so many beauty blogs and tips out there it’s sometimes difficult to figure out what is actually good sagely advice and what are essentially beauty myths. Below are 7 of the most common beauty myths and the truth behind each one!

1.Do you really need an eye cream?

The skin around your eye area is more delicate compared to the rest of your face and is able to absorb product better so you definitely want to invest in a product that will provide you with hydration without irritating the skin. Depending on what your key concerns are, whether it’s dark circles or fine lines, look out for an eye cream that has ingredients that can provide targeted solutions. The eye can really benefit from a cream that contains antioxidants which protect your skin from free radicals and premature aging from air pollution.

2. Do you really need shampoo before you condition?

We’ve all been ingrained to think that we need to shampoo before conditioning, cleansing before moisturizing, but that’s not true for everyone! If your hair is more on the dry side, it’s okay if you want to skip the shampoo and condition instead. Alternatively, you can also condition before shampooing since that will prevent stripping too many oils away from your hair. It’s always a good idea to be kind to your hair and use a gentle shampoo that doesn’t contain any harsh sulfates and also adds moisture in at the same time like our popular Matcha Mint Shampoo!

3. Do you really need an 11 step Korean skincare routine?

K Beauty is all the rage right now but having an 11 step over a 3 step skincare routine doesn’t necessarily mean that your beauty regimen is better or more effective just because you are using more ingredients. It’s more important to use products that work for your skin type and your needs rather than meticulously following a regimen that might take you an hour to complete!

First off I would recommend using a gentle cleanser that can also remove make up and grime. Starting off with a clean face is really going to help your serum and moisturizer absorb more effectively in the skin. I would also recommend using a cleansing sponge like a bamboo charcoal sponge which contains antioxidants to help detox and clarify the skin.

Follow up with a moisturizer that helps combat your key concerns. Whether you’re prone to breakouts or are looking for a product that contains ingredients to help you unwind the clock, make sure to do some research into what you’re putting onto your skin.

Lastly, use clean beauty products and invest in your skin health! So many products are full of fragrance and parabens that do nothing for your skin. Use databases like EWG”s Skin Deep and discover personal care products that will actually benefit you and your loved ones.

One of our favorite customer products is our Face Food Mineral Mist. Unlike other facial sprays, it contains no fragrance at all, just skin benefiting minerals that will improve your skin over time and help with redness and inflammation.

4. Do I still need to moisturize if I have oily skin?

If you read the ingredient label of a product and it contains oil that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be avoiding it if you are oily or acne prone. Acne is caused by hormonal changes which can lead to an excess of oil production but using a harsh cleanser can actually make the problem worst. If you are stripping away too many oils from your skin, it will actually produce more! Look out for moisturizers that contain pH balancing and acne fighting ingredients like white willow bark and apple cider vinegar.

5. When should I throw away a skincare product?

Products will usually contain a best before date to give you a general idea of when it was first created but the best way to see if a product has spoiled is to pump it out and give it a sniff. If you notice a change in color, smell, and consistency it’s time to say goodbye.

6. Does putting skincare products in the fridge make them last longer?

Since you’re storing products at a cooler temperature, this can extend their shelf life but all this really does is create a cooling effect when applied which will benefit those with irritated or inflamed skin. Whether you store your products at room temperature or in the fridge, the potency of the ingredients don’t change just because it’s chilled.

7. Do I apply serum before or after moisturizing?

As a general rule of thumb, apply serum before your moisturizer. Serums contain more potent actives that are able to penetrate a bit deeper into your skin and provide nourishment with phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals.

People often forget to massage their serum in. It’s generally advised to apply dots of your serum onto different areas of your face, allowing the product to sink in and fully absorb before moving onto your moisturizer.

Author bio: Graydon Moffat is the founder and chief idea officer of Graydon Skincare, an all-natural plant-based superfood skincare line based in Toronto. Graydon’s extraordinary superfood ingredients resonate with the growing trend of consumers making better choices for themselves in their commitment to health, wellness, and of course, beauty. 

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