By Mele Feniu Olivetti
If you’ve ever been confused by things you’ve been told when it comes to skincare, you’re not alone. With so much information available 24/7, chances are some of the things circulating in the skincare realms aren’t completely factual. Here to clear up some myths, Feniu’s founder Mele Feniu Olivetti shares her five common skincare myths—along with the actual truth behind them.
Myth #1: You can shrink your pores
There’s a big reason why many people falsely believe that you can shrink your pores – because there is a plethora of products available on the market that promise to do just that! However, the unfortunate truth is that you can’t actually shrink your pores. What you can do, is minimise the appearance of them. I think that’s where all the confusion comes in, because you can make them ‘appear’ smaller, but they aren’t going to shrink. Our pore size is genetically determined and factors like excessive sebum production or sun damage, all which can make them bigger (but unfortunately, not smaller)! The only way to help is by using products that minimise the appearance and cleansing thoroughly to prevent clogged pores and reduce oiliness.Â
Myth #2: More is more
Unfortunately, some people are of the opinion that more is more when it comes to the skin (and the number of products used). We can see the theory behind this – the more great products and active ingredients that you put on your skin, the more chance of them working hard, right? Well unfortunately the truth is, sometimes less is more. We’re already seeing these stripped back beauty trends through the popularity of Skinimalism, Skin Fasting, and Skincare Micro Dosing. These less is more approaches really centre around ensuring that your base – aka your skin – is in prime condition before just enhancing it with minimal make up. Ideally you’ll want to place an emphasis on your skincare routine and then let your skin shine through! At Feniu, we encourage this kind of approach because we know that the skin is actually quite powerful on its own. You don’t need a plethora of products to get beautiful skin – just some basics like a hardworking moisturiser like Feniu’s Anti-Aging Hydrator and a great sunscreen. Make up should then only be used to enhance your assets, not cover them. May your new mantra be ‘less is more’ and this will save you time, money and bathroom cabinet space!
Myth #3: Oily skin shouldn’t use oil-based productsÂ
Our faces naturally secrete sebum (aka oil), through the sebaceous glands and unfortunately some people produce a little more than others. If you’ve have naturally oily skin, it makes total sense to not want to add more oil to it, right? Well, while it certainly sounds counterintuitive to add oil-based products, many people don’t realize is that the culprit of oily skin is often because the skin has been stripped of its natural oils. This means that the skin (in particular, the oil glands) have gone into overproduction mode which is what causes more oil build-up. If you’ve been using any stripping ingredients like face washes containing harsh alcohol based ingredients or grainy scrubs, there is a chance your skin has been stripped of its natural oils and is now trying to rebalance it out with overproduction of oil. So the truth is, some oily skin types can actually benefit from adding an oil-based product into their routine, such as Feniu’s new Oil to Foam Cleanser. Its lightweight, oil-to-foam formulation melts away makeup, sunscreen, and excess oils without drying out or stripping the skin.
Myth #4: The harder I scrub, the cleaner my skin
We all know that person that comes out of the shower with a complexion that is bright red and shiny. Well, while it might seem as though shiny, tight skin is doing wonders for your complexion, it is actually doing the opposite. As mentioned above, harsh scrubbing can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause issues with oil production and much more. It can cause tiny tears on the skin’s surface which then makes the skin go into damage control. The results can be the overproduction of oil (hello clogged pores), pimples and blackheads, as well as a damaged dermal layer. For a balanced complexion, opt for products that use natural ingredients for a gentler approach to beautiful skin.Â
Myth #5: Hot water is good for my skin
Who doesn’t love a hot bath or shower in winter?! Well, I hate to say it, it can feel incredible on the skin, it’s not very good for your complexion. In the same way that an alcohol-based cleanser might strip the skin, hot water can do the same. The skin needs its natural oils found in the top layers to function properly and unfortunately every time you expose it to scalding temperatures, you can strip the surface of these oils. What then happens is your skin has to work really hard to balance things out, or you can be left with skin that is really dry and itchy. If you love your hot showers, try only using hot water on your body and then turn the temperature down when splashing it all over your face.Â