Thanks to the internet and old wive’s tales, there is a ton of skin care advice being thrown around—and not all of it is good. In fact, some of this “advice” can actually be harmful to your 4 skin and health. With the help of our in house esthetician, we investigated eight common skin care claims to see exactly why they don’t hold up.

Anti-Aging isn’t for me … yet

Dermatologists recommend using anti-aging products as early as your twenties. Taking preventative steps by using anti-aging products at a younger age can help in the long run.

Look for anti-aging products with powerful active ingredients, such as powerful antioxidants, Vitamins C, E and A, essential fatty acids, natural retinoids, as well as natural AHAs to promote rapid cellular turnover and regeneration, collagen production and brighter skin.

Washing your face with hot water will open your pores up for a better cleanse …

Careful not to wash your face with hot water. Yes, steam will open your pores. Use a hot towel or let your pores open up in the shower or bath. It doesn’t have to hurt to work.

You don’t need to shock your face with freezing cold water, but a lukewarm—not hot—temperature is ideal. 

You don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin … 

Not necessarily. Most cleansers will strip the natural oils from your skin, so you will need to replace that protective layer

No matter what your skin type—oily and acne-prone or dry and dehydrated—you need to be using some kind of moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and nourished. The differences lie in the type and amount of moisturizer your skin needs.. 

Makeup ages you faster …

We would not say this is true, as long as you properly remove your makeup daily and keep up with a consistent cleansing routine. Makeup junkies: It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief. Makeup, alone, is not going to make you age faster. In fact, so many double-duty makeup products actually nourish, protect or improve your skin while you’re wearing them! However, if you don’t wash your face before bed, you’re leaving not just the makeup, but the dirt, oil and toxins your skin has collected over the course of the day—which is what really causes aging.