Let's be frank — the skincare industry has fed you a lot of nonsense over the years. Glossy ads, "dermatologist-approved" stickers, and a thousand conflicting TikTok tutorials have turned basic skin science into a confusing mess. So we're setting the record straight. No fluff, no fear-mongering, just the facts.
Grab your favorite moisturizer (hopefully one of ours) and let's debunk ten of the most persistent skincare myths out there.
Myth #1: "Natural" Always Means Better (or Safer)
Here's an uncomfortable truth: poison ivy is natural. So is arsenic. "Natural" is not a scientific term, and it definitely isn't a safety guarantee — it's a marketing word with no regulated definition. That doesn't mean natural ingredients are bad (we love a good plant-based formula), but the word "natural" on a label tells you almost nothing about whether a product actually works, or whether it's gentle on your skin.
The real deal: What matters is the actual ingredient list, the concentration of active ingredients, and how a formula is put together — not a buzzword on the front of the bottle.
Myth #2: Oily Skin Doesn't Need Moisturiser
This one has probably caused more breakouts than almost any other myth on this list. Skipping moisturiser when you have oily skin doesn't "dry out" the oil — it actually tends to backfire. When skin gets dehydrated, it often overcompensates by producing more oil to protect itself, which can make things worse, not better.
The real deal: Oily skin still needs hydration — just look for lightweight, non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas that hydrate without clogging pores.
Myth #3: Pores Can Open and Close
Pores don't have little muscles that open and close like tiny doors. What actually happens is that heat and steam can temporarily soften the debris (oil, dead skin) sitting inside a pore, making it look smaller once it's cleaned out. Cold water doesn't "close" your pores afterward — it just tightens the surrounding skin slightly, creating the illusion of smaller pores.
The real deal: Pore size is largely determined by genetics. You can minimise their appearance through gentle exfoliation and clean skin, but you can't physically resize them.
Myth #4: You Only Need Sunscreen When It's Sunny
Cloudy skies feel like a free pass — but up to 80% of UV rays can pass right through clouds. And if you're near a window (hello, work-from-home warriors), UVA rays can reach your skin through glass too. Sun damage is cumulative, which means every unprotected exposure — sunny, cloudy, or indoors near a window — adds up over time.
The real deal: SPF is a daily habit, not a seasonal one. Rain or shine, indoors or out, your skin is better off protected.
Myth #5: Expensive Skincare Is Automatically Better Skincare
We'd love to tell you that a higher price tag always equals a better formula — but that's simply not how it works. Price often reflects packaging, marketing budgets, and brand positioning far more than it reflects the effectiveness of the ingredients inside. Plenty of budget-friendly products contain the same active ingredients (at the same concentrations) as their luxury counterparts.
The real deal: Read the ingredient list, not the price tag. Effective skincare doesn't have to break the bank.
Myth #6: You Need to "Detox" Your Skin
Your skin isn't hiding a bunch of toxins that a $60 charcoal mask is going to pull out. Your liver and kidneys handle detoxification — your skin's job is to act as a protective barrier, not a garbage disposal. The "detox" language is compelling marketing, but it isn't rooted in how your body actually works.
The real deal: Instead of chasing a "detox," focus on supporting your skin barrier with gentle, consistent care. That's what actually leads to healthier-looking skin.
Myth #7: If It's Not Tingling or Burning, It's Not Working
This might be the myth we're most passionate about busting. A tingling or burning sensation isn't a sign that a product is "working hard" — it's usually a sign of irritation, and repeated irritation can damage your skin barrier over time, leading to increased sensitivity, redness, and even breakouts.
The real deal: Effective skincare shouldn't hurt. A little initial adjustment period with actives like retinol is normal, but ongoing burning or stinging is your skin telling you to stop.
Myth #8: More Steps Always Means Better Results
Somewhere along the way, skincare turned into a competitive sport, with 10-, 12-, even 15-step routines flooding our feeds. But piling on product after product doesn't necessarily give your skin more benefit — in fact, it can overwhelm your skin barrier, cause irritation, and make it harder to identify what's actually working (or what's causing a reaction).
The real deal: A focused routine with a gentle cleanser, a good moisturiser, sunscreen, and a couple of targeted treatments will often outperform an overstuffed 12-step routine.
Myth #9: You Should Feel Your Skin "Squeaky Clean" After Washing
That tight, squeaky feeling after washing your face isn't a sign of cleanliness — it's often a sign that your cleanser stripped away your skin's natural oils along with the dirt and makeup. That tight feeling is your skin barrier crying out for help, not a job well done.
The real deal: A good cleanser should remove dirt and oil while leaving your skin feeling soft and comfortable — not tight, dry, or stripped.
Myth #10: Anti-Aging Products Will "Stop" Aging
No cream, serum, or overnight mask is going to stop time. Aging is a natural biological process influenced by genetics, sun exposure, lifestyle, and simply the passage of time. What quality skincare can do is support your skin's health, improve texture and tone, and help protect against some of the environmental factors (like UV damage) that accelerate visible signs of aging.
The real deal: Think "supporting healthy skin" rather than "stopping the clock." It's a mindset shift that leads to way less pressure — and way more realistic expectations.
The Bottom Line
Good skincare isn't about chasing trends, tingling sensations, or 12-step routines. It's about understanding what your skin actually needs and giving it consistent, gentle, science-backed care. That's the whole philosophy behind Let's Be Frank — no gimmicks, no fear tactics, just honest formulas and honest information.
Got a skincare myth you want us to fact-check? Send it our way — we love a good myth-busting challenge.
This post is for informational purposes and isn't a substitute for personalised advice from a dermatologist or skincare professional.