3 Skincare Myths We Hear All the Time: Sunscreen, Moisturizer and Pores

There's so much skincare advice out there that it's hard to know what to believe. In our treatment room, three myths come up again and again, and each one can quietly hold your skin back. Let's clear them up.

Myth #1: You don't need sunscreen on cloudy days

The truth: UV rays are there all year, rain or shine. Up to 80% of UV radiation can pass through clouds, so a gray day still exposes your skin to damage that speeds up aging, deepens dark spots and raises skin cancer risk.

It also adds up. A few minutes here and there without protection, day after day, is enough to break down collagen and elastin over time. UVA rays even pass through windows, so you're exposed while driving or sitting by a sunny window at work.

• UVA rays go deep and cause premature aging and pigment.
• UVB rays cause sunburn and raise skin cancer risk.
• Daily sunscreen protects against both.

What to do: apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, even if you're staying in, and reapply every two hours when you're outside. Choose a texture you'll actually wear: lightweight for oily skin, more hydrating for dry skin, tinted if you like a little coverage. Face Reality Daily SPF 30 Plus is lightweight, wears well under makeup and is acne-safe.

Myth #2: Oily skin doesn't need moisturizer

The truth: skipping moisturizer can make oily skin oilier. When skin is short on water, it often compensates by producing more oil, which means more shine and more clogged pores.

Oily skin can absolutely be dehydrated. It may look shiny but feel tight, flaky or irritated. Without enough hydration, your barrier weakens, inflammation goes up and breakouts are more likely.

What to do: choose an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer and use it morning and night. Look for hydrators like glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid, and lightweight gel textures. Face Reality hydraRemedy Gel Serum hydrates and calms without clogging, and it's especially good for stressed, sensitive skin and red post-breakout marks. Learn more in Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Hero.

Myth #3: Pores open and close

The truth: pores don't have muscles, so they can't open or close. Steam can soften what's inside them, and cold water can make skin feel tighter, but the pore itself doesn't change size. Pore size is mostly genetic.

What does change is how big they look:

• Clogged pores get stretched by oil and dead skin, so they look larger.
• Sun damage breaks down the collagen around pores, so they look less firm.
• Dehydration makes texture and pores more noticeable.

What to do: keep pores clear with a gentle chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, use niacinamide to help regulate oil and smooth texture, and wear sunscreen to protect collagen. Face Reality Salicylic Serum combines salicylic acid with other exfoliating and brightening ingredients and works for all skin types. For more on congested pores, read What Are Blackheads?

Daily SPF 30 PlusEvery dayShop now hydraRemedy Gel SerumHydrateShop now Salicylic SerumClear poresShop now

The bottom line

Daily sunscreen, real hydration (even for oily skin) and pores kept clear with the right ingredients will take your skin further than any quick fix. Have a skincare question you've always wondered about? Text us at 919-621-6916, or book a consultation if you're in the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area.

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