Skincare Myths Debunked: Armani’s Expert Insights

Common myths about skincare

Since skincare and beauty myths are rife, Armani beauty is here to share professional advice to help keep your skin in pristine condition. Here are some common skincare myths you might have encountered:

• If you have oily skin, you don’t need to moisturise
• We should all be exfoliating
• Having dehydrated skin is the same as having dry skin
• Only oily skin types get blemishes
• If your makeup has SPF, then you don’t need to worry about sunscreen

Treating a skincare myth as fact may be detrimental to your complexion, so let’s investigate these misconceptions further.

Myth: Oily skin types don’t need moisturiser

When it comes to myths about skincare, this particular one gets circulated often. Since excessively oily skin can feel impossible to manage, adding more moisture seems counterintuitive. However, excessively oily skin is in essence unbalanced; and if the skin is deprived of moisture it can respond by producing more oil, thus adding to existing skin concerns. Instead of skipping moisturiser, ensure that you are using a product that is formulated for oily skin so that it keeps your skin balanced while providing the hydration it needs.

Myth: Everybody should use an exfoliator

Using an exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliant is a great way to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores and encourage brighter, healthier-looking skin to the surface. When we hear about the various benefits of a product, it can be easy assume that we must use it too; this is how some common skincare myths gain traction. The truth of the matter is, not everybody will need to exfoliate – at least not often. While exfoliants adeptly regulate oil and dissolve impurities, they can have a drying effect on the skin which can be too harsh for sensitive or excessively dry skin types. Over-exfoliation can disrupt the skin moisture barrier, causing redness, tightness and flaking.

Oily and blemish-prone skin types tend to benefit most from exfoliation and can often incorporate this step into their skincare routine several times per week – sometimes even daily. If you have dry or sensitive skin that’s looking a little lacklustre but you’re concerned about being able to tolerate an exfoliant, we suggest reading our guide to exfoliating your face. You may also want to try a nourishing formula like Crema Nera Reviving Volcanic Black Gel Mask and observe how your skin responds.

Myth: Dry and dehydrated skin are the same thing

When discussing skin dryness, it’s easy to conflate having dry versus dehydrated skin. In the spirit of demystifying this skincare myth, we want to establish the key difference between the two: dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a skin concern. Skin dehydration points to a lack of water in the body – often influenced by lifestyle changes – and can affect a multitude of skin types. Conversely, dry skin types lack natural oils and is typically tight, flaky or red. Those with dehydrated skin can increase their water intake and water-dense foods, whereas dry skin types will need to seek out hydrating skincare products that help the skin retain moisture. Opt for Crema Nera Supreme Reviving Light Cream for 24-hour hydration and instant radiance.

Myth: Breakouts only affect oily skin types

A common skincare myth around blemishes is that they only affect people with oily skin. Because dry skin lacks moisture, the skin can compensate by generating additional oil. This can lead to a buildup of oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, all of which can clog pores and contribute to breakouts. For dry skin types, especially those prone to sensitivity, it’s important to avoid drying out the skin or sensitising it further with stringent ingredients. Instead, make sure you keep your skin nourished day and night with moisturiser and opt for breakout-friendly cosmetics like Luminous Silk Foundation which covers redness but doesn’t cling to dry patches.

Myth: You don’t need sunscreen if your makeup has SPF

Beware of any sunscreen myth that says you can skip your sun protection if your makeup is formulated with SPF. If you are depending solely on your foundation, primer or any other cosmetic for sun protection, it won’t be enough to protect you from harmful UVA and UVB rays; think of it more as a supplementary layer. Instead, always apply a sunscreen under your makeup – SPF 50 is ideal – and follow with makeup that is formulated with sunscreen like our UV Master Primer which has SPF 30+ to keep your skin well-protected.

Now that you’re well-versed in some of the biggest skincare myths, discover how you can avoid common mistakes in anti-ageing skincare routines.