Debunking Skin Myths (pt. 1)

Once upon a time, a young, naive person (who I shall not name) watched a YouTube video on how to fix their iPad screen; it claimed to simply add toothpaste to the cracked screen. After leaving their iPad screen overnight with smeared toothpaste, the next step was to wipe it off. To their dismay, the screen had not been fixed and was now crusted with dried toothpaste. This example (which my friend shared with me) of misinformation shows us how easily we trust sources online. Misinformation is rampant nowadays, and the same goes for information related to our skin and how to care for it. Today, we'll be looking at the answers to 5 of the most common skin myths, ranging from acne to skincare misconceptions.

Because I've been quite busy this month, we'll look at these 5 skin myth topics in quick succession. This entry won't be as in-depth as some of the previous ones, but definitely just as important.

Myth 1: "You Don't Need Sunscreen on Cloudy Days"

Ok, I'll admit that I used to rarely wear sunscreen; I've always disliked the greasy feeling afterwards and the white cast that some tend to give. Plus, you might imagine that if it's cloudy, there are few sun rays to damage your skin, so you're safe...right? Well, the truth is UV rays (ultraviolet radiation from the sun) can penetrate clouds and glass. Up to 80% of UV radiation reaches your skin, which can cause skin damage that leads to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and increased risk of skin cancer. To prevent this, it's crucial to apply sunscreen every time you leave the house or daily if, I don't know, your house has a lot of windows where the sun shines through. Make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays (types of UV rays), with at least SPF 30.

And the whole issue of sunscreen feeling uncomfortable is one that can be easily solved by finding a good sunscreen match for your skin. Two of my personal favorite sunscreens that I wear (now more frequently) are e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen (SPF 35) and ROUND LAB - Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 50).

Myth 2: "Oily Skin Doesn't Need Moisturizer"

As someone who has mildly oily skin, I believed this at first. But then I realized, after applying barely any moisturizer, my skin would become even oilier than usual. It's a fact that all skin types, including oily skin, need moisture/hydration. And as I experienced, depriving oily skin of a moisturizer can lead to increased oil production due to your skin trying to compensate for the lack of hydration. The key here is to make sure you use a lightweight, non-comedogenic (a product formulated not to clog pores) moisturizer that hydrates without adding oil or clogging pores. The one that I use daily is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Body and Face Moisturizer; although it's meant for "Normal to Dry Skin", I still really enjoy using it. Another tip of mine that was a life changer is oil-absorbing sheets. The ones I use are Teenitor Bamboo Charcoal Blotting Paper; I use these every day whenever my skin feels oily.

Myth 3: "Eating Chocolate or Oily Foods Causes Oily Skin and Acne"

For this myth, I already did some research on it last month, so if you want to read more about sugar's effect on skin and if it really does cause oily skin and acne, go read my entry "Sugar vs. Skin"! Looking more specifically at chocolate and oily foods, though, solely blaming them for oily skin and acne wouldn't be accurate. However, indeed they can contribute to acne and oily skin for some, as it raises your blood sugar, leading to inflammation and consequently increased sebum secretion. But again, this isn't true for everyone due to genetics.

Myth 4: "Popping Pimples Helps Them Heal Faster"

Guys, please stop popping your pimples!!! I'm a victim of this; the temptation was real...Now I pay the consequences with acne scars (marks or indentations left on the skin after a pimple heals). When you pop a pimple, you are pushing bacteria deeper into the skin. This causes an increased risk of infection, inflammation, hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin caused by excess melanin production in that area), and, as mentioned earlier, potential scarring. The best option is to just allow the pimple to pop on its own and follow an acne treatment prescribed by your dermatologist. A tip of mine is to use pimple patches; my favorite ones are Rael Pimple Patches, Miracle Invisible Spot Cover.

Myth 5: "Add Toothpaste to Get Rid of Pimples"

You’ve probably heard before that if you ever need to get rid of a pimple, add toothpaste to it. Well, DON’T! It’ll only do more harm than good; instead, your skin will experience symptoms such as redness, burning, stinging, irritation, and inflammation. 

Toothpaste’s ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, alcohol, and menthol, can be extremely harsh for your face. It’s meant to reduce tartar (hardened plaque) and strengthen your enamel (the tooth’s outer layer). 

As Cleaveland Clinic put it, "Toothpaste is made for your mouth, and in your mouth is where it should stay."

 Final Thoughts

These are only 5 of some common skin myths that many believe. Because there are several more misconceptions out there, and habits that people continue to act on because they believe are true, I'm going to make this a series. It'll be especially helpful for me with busy months (like this one). So stay tuned for the following few entries to read more about other skin myths (next one out by the end of the month)!

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Sources

Myth 1: "You Don't Need Sunscreen on Cloudy Days"

• Liberty London. 49 Skincare Myths (Debunked). Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.libertylondon.com/us/skincare-myths.html

• Skin Health Foundation. Skincare Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction. Retrieved November 2025, from https://skinhealthfoundation.org/skincare-myths-debunked-separating-fact-from-fiction/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21614980208&gbraid=0AAAAA‐FSwZmuueNbre8IuXKe-1oxbV5Pm&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B‐gzqithV1toXB4Yyw6YmXoYma9CkL0HZK3QbxtOBnqRxFpUxGEy_eUhoCCzEQAvD_BwE

• Cascade Eye & Skin. Skincare Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction. Retrieved November 2025, from https://cascadeeyeskin.com/blog/skincare-myths-debunked-separating-fact-from-fiction/

Myth 2: "Oily Skin Doesn't Need Moisturizer"

• Liberty London. 49 Skincare Myths (Debunked). Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.libertylondon.com/us/skincare-myths.html

• Harvard Health Publishing. Don’t Fall for These Skin Myths. Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dont-fall-for-these-skin-myths

• Skin Health Foundation. Skincare Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction. Retrieved November 2025, from https://skinhealthfoundation.org/skincare-myths-debunked-separating-fact-from-fiction/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21614980208&gbraid=0AAAAA‐FSwZmuueNbre8IuXKe-1oxbV5Pm&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B‐gzqithV1toXB4Yyw6YmXoYma9CkL0HZK3QbxtOBnqRxFpUxGEy_eUhoCCzEQAvD_BwE

• Cascade Eye & Skin. Skincare Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction. Retrieved November 2025, from https://cascadeeyeskin.com/blog/skincare-myths-debunked-separating-fact-from-fiction/

Myth 3: "Eating Chocolate or Oily Foods Causes Oily Skin and Acne"

• Institute of Human Anatomy. What Sugar ACTUALLY Does to the Body. Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tlCDcqZYgk&t=325s

• Harvard Health Publishing. Are certain types of sugars healthier than others? Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.health.harvard

Myth 4: "Popping Pimples Helps Them Heal Faster"

• Cascade Eye & Skin. Skincare Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction. Retrieved November 2025, from https://cascadeeyeskin.com/blog/skincare-myths-debunked-separating-fact-from-fiction/

• U.S. Dermatology Partners. Acne Myths and Treatment. Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/locations/virginia/centreville/centreville/blog/acne-myths-and-treatment/

Myth 5: "Add Toothpaste to Get Rid of Pimples"

• Vogue. 10 Common Skincare Myths, Explained. Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.vogue.com/article/skincare-myths

• Cleveland Clinic. Why You Should Never Put Toothpaste on a Pimple. Retrieved November 2025, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/toothpaste-on-pimples

• Verywell Health. Why Toothpaste on Pimples Isn’t the Answer. Retrieved November 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/does-using-toothpaste-on-pimples-really-work-15530