In today's digital age, social media has transformed the average beauty consumer into a savvy, well-informed customer. Whether it's a quick search on Google or a scroll through TikTok, getting the lowdown on a product seems easier than ever.
As the beauty landscape evolves, so does our understanding of skincare. Remember when we thought sunscreen was just for beach days? Now, we know it's a must even indoors, with reapplication every two hours for that much-needed protection. But despite busting countless beauty myths over time, the constant influx of new products and skincare tech continues to spawn new misconceptions.
This underscores the importance of supporting brands that don't just ride the trends but are rooted in science and research. Enter Paula’s Choice—the brand known not just for its chic minimalist packaging but for its scientifically-backed, dermatologist-approved skincare solutions.
Preview had the pleasure of chatting with Aesthetic Dermatologist Dra. Lala Sanchez, CEO of the Drolah Clinic and one of Paula’s Choice's resident derm influencers, to debunk some of the most common skincare myths she hears from her patients. Keep scrolling to see which of these myths you might still be falling for.
5 Beauty Myths to Stop Believing, According to an Aesthetic Dermatologist
1. Rejuvenating sets will help you get smooth and glowing skin.
According to Dra. Lala, the number one beauty myth that she hears from her patients is how inexpensive rejuvenating sets, also known as "rejuv sets," will lead to smooth and glowing skin.
“You know, Filipinas really like to have lighter skin. Some of their friends, maybe they're using these "rejuv" products, and they think that because it's cheap, it's okay to use them. But when you use it, you can get a lot of irritation,” she reiterated. “Rejuv sets are not for everybody.” She also warned about how these rejuvenating sets may be FDA-approved, but they don’t always have studies to back the effectiveness of their products.
This is actually one of the reasons why Dra. Lala is such a big fan of Paula’s Choice. “I do not trust any products, except if I have researched about them, I have known the product for years, or they have good quality that addresses my patients' skin needs,” she said.
Dra. Lala admits that she was also initially hesitant to try out Paula’s Choice, but since it’s been on the market for 20 years, she’s been able to research more about it. And according to her, “The products that they make are science-based, straightforward, and knowledgeable, and can be used on different ethnicities, skin types, and addresses different skincare needs.”
2. Vitamin C serum can’t be mixed with other active ingredients.
Another myth that we tend to hear a lot is that vitamin C can’t be mixed with other active ingredients. “A lot of us are using vitamin C serum nowadays, and they say that you cannot use vitamin C serum with other active ingredients like peptides or retinol, but that's a misconception,” says Dra. Lala. “The truth about this is that vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant, but it can be used on top of ingredients like niacinamide, retinol, and peptides, and even exfoliating products,” she continued.
She even shared one of her top favorite products: Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment, which contains a mix of retinol, peptides, and vitamin C. According to her, “It hydrates and delivers remarkable anti-aging benefits with a controlled release delivery system. This diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, with a light lotion texture that doesn't clog the pores.”
1% Retinol Treatment with Peptides + Vitamin C, P4100, PAULA'S CHOICE, paulaschoice.ph
3. Chemical sunscreens are bad for your skin.
The third most common skincare misconception she hears is that using a chemical sunscreen is bad for your skin. “I watched it on TikTok, [they said] that if you use a chemical product, it can actually damage the hormones in your body, but no,” she clarifies, “If there are chemical sunscreens in the market, these sunscreens [are actually backed by studies] or have normal value or the right amount [of chemicals] that when you use these chemical products on your sunscreen, it is safe for you and will not impede with your hormonal function.”
4. Expensive skincare is always good skincare.
It’s a common misconception that the value of a product directly reflects its quality, and for that reason, many people believe that just because a product is expensive, it automatically means that it’s good for your skin. Dra. Lala reiterates, “It doesn't mean that because it's expensive, it will work for you.” You shouldn’t value the price of the product, but rather the needs of your own skin.
5. Natural ingredients are safer than chemical ingredients.
With a more eco-conscious mindset, consumers tend to lean towards brands that push all-natural and clean beauty products. These are often marketed to be safer for the skin, but that isn’t always the case. “Nowhere in the world is there a regulated definition for what clean beauty is. That means anyone can use their own definition [of clean beauty]. For me, good skincare is about smart combinations of safe and effective ingredients. For example, lemon is natural, but it has a lot of acids. When you put it on your skin, it can actually burn your skin. So, I don't believe that what is natural is really good. What I believe is the combination of safe and effective products for your own needs.”
She also advises consumers, “Before you buy a product, you have to test it first. Do a little research, try it [on your skin]. Because sometimes these products, even if they say it's natural, can still irritate the skin, especially if you have a family history of allergies.”
Which of these beauty myths are you still falling for? Share your answers and any beauty queries you have in the comments section below!
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