Published: February 29, 2024
Skincare trends come and go and, for the most part, people tend to ignore the majority of them. However, there’ll always be a trend every now and again that intrigues you enough to convince you to start following it, after which it becomes a permanent part of your routine.
In some cases, this can be great. Whether it’s double cleansing, multi-masking, or layering skincare, several of the biggest skincare trends over the years have certainly had some merit. At the same time, others can be downright dangerous, leaving you dealing with an array of new skin problems.
Today, Bionyx is going to be taking a closer look at some of those potentially harmful skincare trends. If you happen to believe any of the following myths, it’s time to change your ways:
Scrub Hard Enough and You’ll Clear Away Acne
Let’s start with one of the most damaging skincare trends out there; the idea that the harder you scrub your skin, the clearer and more pimple-free it will be. In reality, this myth couldn’t be further from the truth, for a few reasons.
Firstly, roughly scrubbing your skin will only irritate your skin barrier. It will exacerbate the inflammation in your skin, making your acne worse. Over-cleansing and over-exfoliating both also dehydrate the skin. This stimulates the skin into producing even more oil, meaning that you’ll be even more susceptible to clogged pores and breakouts.
While keeping your skin exfoliated is important, a harsh scrub isn’t the way to go. Instead, acne-prone skin benefits from a gentle touch. This is why the Bionyx Rhodium Complex Facial Peeling is such a hit among those with oily skin. You’ll only need to use soft pressure when applying this product, yet it will still clear away deep-seated oil and impurities while brightening up your complexion.
Collagen Skincare Products Will Top Up Your Skin’s Collagen Levels
Collagen is one of the key structural proteins in your skin. It holds your skin up from within, with collagen fibers basically acting as scaffolding for your skin. This is why, when you’re young and your skin produces plenty of the protein, your skin is smooth, firm, and tight. Once you start to age and natural collagen production slows down, the skin’s structure weakens. This results in fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
So, surely it makes sense to top up that declining collagen supply with skincare products containing collagen?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. The collagen that gives your skin its structure lies in the dermis, aka the middle layer of skin. The collagen that’s used in skincare products is simply too large on a molecular level to penetrate so far into the skin. This is why collagen-infused skincare can’t, in any way, make up for the loss of natural collagen that the skin experiences as it ages.
However, that’s not to say that collagen doesn’t have its place in skincare products. As a humectant, it’s incredibly hydrating. This is why you’ll find it in the Bionyx Alloy Platinum Synergizing Serum. These hydrating properties are how collagen is able to quickly give the skin a plumper and firmer finish. This will go a long way in making any wrinkles look temporarily less noticeable but, in the long run, don’t count on this ingredient to reverse the visible signs of aging.
Retinoids Shouldn’t Be Used on Sensitive Skin
Retinoids may be one of the most proven and popular skincare ingredients around, but there are also many myths surrounding it. One of these is that retinoids shouldn’t be used on sensitive skin. Why? Because they’re far too harsh and will only cause irritation.
So, what’s the truth?
The term ‘retinoid’ actually refers to a group of ingredients, all derived from vitamin A. There are several different retinoids out there, with each one offering a different level of potency. While retinoic acid and retinol may indeed cause problems for sensitive skin, retinyl palmitate is much gentler. It takes a little longer to work but, in the end, provides the same visible results.
If you would like to give retinyl palmitate a try, check out the Bionyx Platinum Transformative Thermal Mask. This decadent formula is packed with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants, along with several botanical extracts that will keep all skin types feeling soothed and calm.
Retinoids Shouldn’t Be Used With Vitamin C
Another common retinoid-related myth is that vitamin A derivatives shouldn’t be used with vitamin C. Many believe them to be too potent when combined.
However, if you’ve always avoided pairing these two ingredients, you’re missing out. Not only will using this powerful duo not put you at any extra risk of irritation, but both ingredients actually work even better when they’re together. Research confirms this, showing that whether you’re trying to reduce the appearance of aging, lighten the look of dark spots, or anything else, vitamins A and C are a fantastic combination.
This is why you’ll find both ingredients in a few Bionyx products, including the BioLift Platinum Deep Wrinkle Concentrate. This serum, which has been designed to diminish the visible signs of aging, also contains vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate, and colloidal platinum. The result is a silky formula that your skin will absolutely love!
Oily Skin Doesn’t Need to Be Moisturized
This myth has been perpetuated for a while, and there seems to always be a stream of new influencers and beauty bloggers who promote the benefits of not moisturizing oily skin. After all, oily skin is already coated in a layer of excess oil that you don’t want, so why add to that?
The answer to that question is simple: oil is very different from water, and it’s the latter that a moisturizer provides. The key to moisturizing oily skin without causing it to break out lies in finding a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates without clogging pores. This will enable you to give your skin the moisture boost that it needs to feel its healthiest self, without causing your oiliness to go into overdrive.
The Right Products Can Shrink Your Pores
Pores are often the focus of skincare trends, purely because so many people are dissatisfied with theirs. This is understandable – nobody wants to see large, dark pores staring back at them from the mirror. However, following various skincare trends in an attempt to shrink your pores is, unfortunately, not going to get you anywhere.
Why? Because it’s simply not possible to shrink your pores. Pore size is determined by genetics, and even the very best skincare products aren’t going to be able to change this.
But enough of the doom and gloom – there’s good news too. Although you can’t physically shrink your pores, using the right products will help them to look smaller, lighter, and less noticeable. This involves keeping your skin clean with a gentle cleanser, just like the Bionyx Rhodium Mousse Cleanser. A toner can be helpful too, while keeping your skin hydrated will plump up your complexion in a way that makes your pores look less visible.
Skip the Sunscreen on a Cloudy Day
One of the most dangerous skincare trends to hit the headlines recently is skipping sunscreen when it’s cloudy outside. People tout this as a way to save time and money, not realizing that they’re actually seriously harming their skin.
Truth is, even when it’s cloudy, UV rays are still present. They’re pretty much always there – you can’t get away from them. They can penetrate through glass as well, so even a day spent indoors or in your car will still see your skin fall prey to UV damage. You may not notice the effects of this immediately but, as the damage accumulates, you’ll soon spend your later years regretting your lack of SPF diligence.
Fortunately, even though you can’t take back the damage that your skin has already undergone, you can still prevent it from experiencing even more. This means getting serious about sunscreen, even if you’ve neglected it in the past. Keep an SPF 30 sunscreen with you at all times, so that you remember to give yourself a top-up every couple of hours, no matter what the weather may be like.
If a Product Stings, That Means That It’s Working
Ever applied a new skincare product to your face only to find that it has left your skin stinging? Some may tell you that this is a sign that the product is working. Unfortunately, they’re wrong.
Instead, if a skincare product is stinging or burning in any way, then this means that your skin isn’t tolerating it. Whether this is down to potent actives, harsh abrasives, or anything else, the stinging sensation signifies that your skin is feeling irritated.
So, what should you do if this happens? Wash that product off your skin immediately. Don’t grin and bear it, in the hopes that it will have a transformative effect on your skin. Sure, it may very well do so, but it won’t be in a good way.
Once you’ve done this, it’s time to investigate why your skin reacted to that product. It could be down to a certain ingredient, or the fact that you’ve used the product incorrectly. Maybe you applied too much of it or left a rinse-off product on your skin for too long. Either way, the irritation that you experienced doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll need to throw that product out. Instead, working out why your skin didn’t like it will enable you to alter how you use it, so that your skin can still benefit from its properties.
Knowing Which Skincare Trends to Follow
With so many dangerous myths out there, how do you know which skincare trends you should and shouldn’t be following?
Ultimately, this requires some research on your part. If you hear of a trend that you’d like to try out, find out more about it. Understand exactly how it works and why it works, and check to see if it’s an idea that has been approved by dermatologists or other credible experts. Make sure that the sources of your information are reliable and you’ll be well-equipped to fully decipher any captivating skincare trends that you happen to come across in the future.
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