Stop Believing These Beauty Myths!

Bring in 2018 by making major changes to your self-care routine and start by striking off these beauty myths from your list.

- Hemchhaya De

By now, we all know the basics of a good beauty routine: cleansing, toning, moisturising and sun protection. But sometimes, ignorance can still show itself in strange and dangerous ways. Not understanding how a product works, why a particular technique is popular, or how to tell a genuine claim from dodgy marketing can seriously sabotage your skin and hair-care goals. That’s where Femina steps in. We take aim at the most popular myths out there and get you thinking the right way about your beauty regimen.

SKINCARE

MYTH #1 Herbal = harmless

The lure of skin-friendly herbal products is obvious, but not all of them are created equal. “Even though using herbal and organic products is better than using chemical-based beauty products, there is a chance that they might not suit your skin,” says Pallavi Mehra, marketing manager, VanityCask, a platform for curating luxury beauty products. “While one ingredient might work well for a particular skin type, it might be a little harsh on others.” It is, therefore, important to test even herbal products on your skin before you start using them.

MYTH #2 A foundation with SPF is enough sun protection

While it makes perfect sense to use a foundation with inbuilt SPF, experts say it is alone not enough to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. “In cities such as Delhi, where the sun is hot, and pollution levels are high, you absolutely need a base layer of sunblock in addition to your makeup,” says celebrity dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia. Wear a sunscreen with high SPF when there is a chance of prolonged exposure to the sun.

MYTH #3 A hypoallergenic product is the best bet for sensitive skin