Does it feel like you’re hearing skincare advice coming from just about every direction? If so, you’re not alone. The popularity of video tutorials and YouTube beauty artists has created a culture where we’re all a little obsessed with the newest, hottest skincare or cosmetic trend.

Unfortunately, not everything you hear or read on the internet (or anywhere else for that matter) is true. There are a lot of myths out there about how best to care for your skin, and while some of them might be true for certain people, skincare is never one-size-fits-all.

To help you make sense of all the skincare advice you hear, we’ve gathered some of the most common myths about caring for your skin. A few of them might even surprise you.

Myths and Facts About Your Daily Skin Care Routine

MYTH: My Skin Is Too Sensitive for Retinols

Why This Is False

Before going any further into this myth, it’s important to say that some people honestly can’t use retinol, and for them, this isn’t a myth. But there’s a common misconception out there that individuals with sensitive skin should stay as far away as possible from anything containing retinol. Retinols have gotten a bad reputation in some circles, and really don’t deserve their reputation for being drying or irritating.

Retinols are available in prescription and over the counter strength preparations. Prescription-strength retinol can be drying and cause flakiness if used improperly. This is why a dermatologist should be the only one to recommend that you use a prescription-strength retinol product. It doesn’t matter how much they rave about it, never try a friend’s prescription-strength retinol.

Over the counter retinol is a different game entirely. They provide a much lower concentration of retinol and are available in formulas that contain other skin-friendly ingredients. This means there’s probably a retinol product out there that’s designed especially for your skin type, even if it is sensitive. OZNaturals Pro-Retaxinol Retinol Serum and Super Youth Retinol Moisturizer deliver the benefits of retinol in formulations that are well tolerated by most skin types.

Is it necessary to use a retinol product? No, but retinol can help you achieve a fresher, more vibrant and youthful-looking complexion – even if those first fine lines haven’t really settled in yet.

MYTH: Skipping My Moisturizer Every Few Days Allows My Skin To Breathe

Why This Is False

Here’s a bit of a newsflash – your skin isn’t capable of respiration, so it’s impossible for moisturizers or cosmetics to suffocate it. If anything, it isn’t air that your skin cells need, but hydration. When you skip your regular moisturizer, you’re essentially starving your skin of the moisture and hydration that it has become accustomed to.

Much like it’s not necessary to skip cosmetics to give your skin a break, it isn’t necessary to skip your moisturizer either. If you notice that your skin appears healthier when you do forgo your usual products, that’s a major red flag that it’s time to look for a new product that’s better suited for your skin type.

MYTH: I Only Use the Most Expensive Skin Care Products Because They’re the Best

Why This Is a Myth

There is a certain level of “you get what you pay for” when it comes to skincare, but that doesn’t mean that the more expensive a product is, the better it is for your skin. If you were to take a look at a jar of moisturizer that costs a couple of hundred dollars and compare it to one that’s safely in the $20-$50 range, you’ll find that there isn’t a whole lot of variation in the ingredients, especially the ones that really matter.

If you’re looking to avoid ingredients like petroleum or mineral oil, the cost isn’t a good indicator of quality. Even the most expensive skincare products on the market contain many of the ingredients you’re trying to avoid by forgoing more economical options.

Instead of focusing on price, spend some time looking at the label and sticking with brands you trust. Chances are you’ll slash your skincare budget drastically.

MYTH: This Product Contains Ingredients I Can’t Pronounce, So They Must Be Bad for Me

Why This Is a Myth

Many common ingredients that are safe, gentle and natural have scientific names that you might not immediately recognize. Rather than shunning a product because of its unpronounceable ingredient list, take the time to learn what they are. Take for example an ingredient called Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is otherwise known as Vitamin C.

There’s also Sodium Hyaluronate, which you might recognize by its more common name of Hyaluronic Acid, or Vitamin E which goes by names such as Tocopheryl or Tocopheryl Acetate.

Trustworthy skincare companies make transparency a priority and used standardized INCI scientific names. The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) is a standardized system for listing ingredient names on cosmetic product labels that is used in the US, the EU, Asia and many other countries. These terms may sound more intimidating than the common name, but you will know exactly what ingredients your product contains.

MYTH: Any Product That Contains Alcohol Is Drying

Why This Is False

There are different forms of alcohol that you might find on the ingredient lists of skincare products. There’s acetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, tocopherol, and denatured alcohol or SD alcohol 40. Of these, only one or two pose the threat of drying out your skin.

Denatured alcohol or SD alcohol are evaporative alcohols that are found in some toners, and even serums designed for oily skin types. These types of alcohols are drying and should be avoided, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. What about the other types of alcohols? They’re generally safe and beneficial.

MYTH: Clean Skin Feels Tight and Dry

Why This Is a Myth

Do you love the tight feeling your skin has after you cleanse it? If so, I’m going to suggest it’s time to look for a new cleanser. When your skin feels tight after cleansing, it means that it’s been depleted of essential moisture and oils. Bar soaps and cleansers not designed for sensitive facial skin are notorious for producing this reaction, as are cleansers that produce a great deal of lather.

Choose a cleanser that leaves your skin fresh and clean without it feeling like you’ve just had a mini facelift because your skin is so tight. Sulfate-free cleansers, such as those made by OZNaturals, are the best bet.

MYTH: My Skin Is Dry So I Should Skip the Toner

Why This is False

Toners have a reputation of being formulated only for oily skin with the purpose of stripping away excess oils and dirt. Some toners that are formulated specifically for oily skin can be overly drying, but there are plenty of options out there that are alcohol-free and designed for all skin types.

Toner is an important part of a healthy skincare routine because it clears away residue from cleansers and tap water, better preparing the skin for moisturizers and cosmetics. Skip drying products, but not toners in general. OZNaturals Ocean Minerals Toning Mist is non-drying and designed for all skin types.

MYTH: Oily Skin Doesn’t Need a Moisturizer

Why This Is False

Oily skin still needs a moisturizer, just not a heavy one like drier skin types might require. Your skin might have plenty of oil, but that doesn’t mean that it has the hydration it needs to be healthy. In fact, adding a well-designed moisturizer to your skincare routine might be just what you need to balance your skin.

Oiliness can be the result of your skin trying to overcompensate for a lack of moisture. When your skin is dry, it’s going to produce more oil in an attempt to balance itself. This is why using overly drying products on your oily skin can actually make the problem even worse.

If you’ve been shying away from moisturizer because your skin tends to be on the oily side, choose a gentle, lighter weight formula to add to your daily routine.

MYTH: Large Pores Can Be Shrunk

Why This Is False

There are products out there that promise miracles in the form of reducing pore size, which tends to be more an issue for individuals with oilier skin types. The harsh reality is that these products don’t offer any type of permanent solution. Instead, they may tighten the skin and temporarily reduce the appearance of pores.

A proper skincare routine designed for your skin type won’t magically make large pores disappear, but you can minimize their appearance and feel a little more comfortable in your own skin. Proper exfoliation and the use of retinol products are two important steps for managing the appearance of large pores.

Taking Control of Taking Care of Your Skin

At the end of the day, your skin is one of the most important assets you have, and how you take care of it matters. It’s always worth a little time invested in researching the best way to care for your skin, and the natural, gentle products that will help you do it beautifully.

Skincare is too important to leave it up to chance or random advice of the latest influencer on YouTube. Trust yourself and allow your instincts, values and personal knowledge to lead you in the right direction for gorgeous, healthy skin.

"Natural Skincare Regimen " "Dry;Enlarged Pores;Fine Lines and Wrinkles;Oily;Sensitive " "Ascorbyl Glucoside;Cetyl Alcohol;Retinol;Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate;Sodium Hyaluronate;Tocopherol;Tocopheryl Acetate "