SKINCARE 101 with Dr. Caroline Robinson
When it comes to skincare there is so much out there. Creams, serums, peels, and potions all promising to give you flawless skin and the best glow money can buy! But how do we separate the real from the fake when it comes to skincare? By asking questions of course! I sat down with board-certified dermatologist and owner of TONE Dermatology in Chicago, Dr. Caroline Robinson, to give us the 411 on all the top skincare myths.
Myth: The more water you drink, the better your skin looks!
While drinking water and minding your business is good for the soul here’s what Dr. Robinson says about its effect on your skin:
“We definitely know that for the health of your body you should be well hydrated, but I would say in practical experience most people that come into my office are drinking plenty of water. It’s not like if they had a cup more a day, it would improve their skin. This is mostly a myth because most people are pretty well hydrated.”
Myth: Exfoliating daily helps clear your skin
According to Dr. Robinson, STEP AWAY FROM THE FACIAL CLEANSING BRUSH!
“So that’s a myth! I actually think we’re in an era of over-exfoliating. Everyone is exfoliating their skin raw. I think it should be done strategically. The best time to do it is when we’re changing seasons like going from fall into winter or spring into summer. Those are great times to do it. That’s just because our skin does change with the season and sometimes it can get a little sluggish in exfoliating on its own. It naturally exfoliates every month, but when it gets a little sluggish with the changing seasons that’s the best time.”
Myth: You only need sunscreen in the summer
Dr. Robinson: “Sunscreen is definitely needed all year round! Even if you are the deepest, darkest melanin goddess you still need sunscreen. I don’t think people grasp what’s actually happening when they’re exposed to sunlight. What happens is that there are two UV rays that are released, UVA and UVB. Both travel through the skin no matter what skin color you are. Over time they damage collagen and cause changes in your cells. Part of what causes us to age and puts people at a higher risk for skin cancer. However, we know darker skin tends to have a slightly lower risk, but the risk is not zero so we should still protect our skin.”
Myth: Black don’t crack. We don’t need anti-aging creams or serums.
Dr. Robinson: “I disagree! Why can’t we have an anti-aging cream? Our skin is exposed to the same rays. While our skin may age slower, it still ages and if we want to, we should feel empowered to use those anti-aging creams.
I think with the whole “Black don’t crack” myth really shuts down the conversation and creates a missed opportunity for us to talk about taking care of our skin. While aging is a natural process there are some things associated with it that can be potentially harmful, like the UV rays that can cause changes in the structure of the skin. If we don’t open up the conversation about that stigma [of Black women not needing extra skin care] then we really miss the opportunity to protect it.”
Myth: Facial steams open your pores
Dr. Robinson: “False! They might do something for dirt and debris on your skin, but nothing for the physical structure of your skin. Your pores are a structure and are always open. They don’t close. Every cream or procedure that claims to shrink pore size is probably a scam. Microneedling is one of the main treatments that I recommend to help with the appearance of pores, but I’m always careful to explain to people that it blurs the appearance of pores. It doesn’t shrink or change them.”
Myth: The more expensive the products the better
Dr. Robinson: “This is such a myth. It’s actually not always the case. Granted there are some expensive products that have put money into research and development and that’s what drives the price up. I would say that is the exception, but I often find that there are a lot of expensive products that are just expensive because of their brand name. You can always find an affordable version.
What are some crazy myths you’ve heard about when it comes to skincare? Share them below!
