Are you sure you're right about that?

It feels wrong to fight your intuition, but when it comes to skincare, sometimes the right choice isn't very intuitive. What you believe to be common sense is, in some cases, just plain wrong. Let's take a look at some of the most common misapprehensions in skin care: I have oily skin, so I don't need to moisturize- right?

Many, many people with oily skin avoid moisturizer like the plague. The reasoning may seem plausible, but it’s totally wrong. Here’s why people with oily skin shouldn’t shy away from moisturizer: oily skin may produce too much oil, but it still needs moisture (water). Therefore, choose an oil-free formula to ensure your skin is properly hydrated without having to worry about the oil. In fact, skipping a moisturizer may exacerbate a slicker complexion because your oil glands may produce even more oil to compensate for a lack of moisture.

Dry skin needs loads of moisturizer. It is one thing to have chronic dry skin, but if your skin has been more dry than usual, your first inclination may be to pile on more moisturizer on your skin, but that is not the solution. Instead, exfoliate with a face scrub to help remove dead surface skin cells, which may just be the culprit behind the dryness/flakiness due to a buildup of dead skin cells.

I always need to fight aging and adult acne at the same time. There will be times when you'll need to stop focusing on anti-aging and concentrate on clearing up adult acne. If you’re experiencing signs of aging or you want to help slow the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, but you’re dealing with frequent or aggressive breakouts simultaneously—especially inflamed or cystic acne—don’t reach for that anti-aging serum or rich night cream just yet. Focus your attention on your acne first and once your acne is under control, slowly start incorporating anti-aging products into your regimen. Anti-aging products (in general) tend to be emollient, which may hinder the clearing up process of your acne.

However, certain products may be an exception such as Glycolic Acid-containing products that addresses both acne and aging. Glycolic Acid helps to unclog pores, which leads to clearer skin and because it’s a chemical exfoliant, it helps increase cellular turnover, which helps aid in a smoother, more youthful looking complexion. Lastly, an eye cream may be used morning and/or night since it’s only going on the eye area anyway.

My friend's skin is similar to mine... so her cleanser will work for me as well! It might, but it probably won't. It's essential to know your skin type before you pick out cleanser and other products and although you might think your friend's skin is similar, there may be differences you're simply not seeing. For example, perhaps her skin is dry but she uses the right cleanser, toners, and moisturizers to give her skin the appearance of being normal. OR she's using a bit too much hydration and her skin make look combination-oily or even oily.

‘Go with your instincts’ usually rings true, but not in all cases!