7 Biggest Anti-Aging Myths—Busted!

Unfortunately, most of the beauty industry thrives on misinformation, misleading claims, and, too often, out-and-out lies. Buying products based on these marketing deceptions and fabrications not only wastes your money but also hurts your skin, and none of that makes anyone look younger! Taking the best care of your skin means using products that really work so it's essential that you understand some of the most common anti-aging myths.  

Myth #1—Dry skin causes wrinkles.

Wrinkles actually have nothing to do with how dry your skin is; they're caused primarily by sun damage, as well as by muscle movement, estrogen loss, genetics, and fat depletion. What about those "fine, dry lines" most moisturizers claim to eliminate? There is no question your skin looks more wrinkled when it's dry, but those "fine, dry lines" are not the same as wrinkles—actual wrinkles will not go away completely no matter how much moisturizer you apply. So, a moisturizer is great for making dry skin look better, but it takes far more to truly make your skin look and act younger! 

Myth #2—You should buy skin-care products based on your age.

First and foremost, remember: Age is not a skin type. Regardless of the claim on the label, there are no products specially designed for mature skin or for teenage skin. At any age, you might have dry skin or oily skin, blemishes, rosacea, sun damage, blackheads, wrinkles, and on and on—and the products that address those issues are the same, regardless of your age. To find the best skin-care products for your skin, shop for products based on your skin type and your specific concerns, not on your age. 

Myth #3—Eye creams can fix puffy eyes, sagging skin, and dark circles.

Despite the hundreds of eye creams on store shelves claiming to reduce or eliminate dark circles, puffy eyes, and sagging skin, the number one question we still get is: Which of these products work? The answer is: None of them really live up to their claims. More to the point, you do not need a separate product for the eye area. There are no studies or research showing that there are special ingredients specifically for the eye area. In fact, because most eye creams don't contain a sunscreen, which is mandatory if you're going to use it for daytime, they actually make sagging, wrinkles, and dark circles worse! The best ingredients for the eye area are the same as those you use for your face, so long as your facial moisturizer is well-formulated and suitable for the skin type around your eyes. 

Myth #4—You can't have acne and wrinkles at the same time.

Adult women at any age can have acne just like teenagers—even if they've never had breakouts before. Not everyone who has acne as a teenager will grow out of it, and even if you have clear skin as a teenager, there's no guarantee that you won't get acne later in life. It's true that men can outgrow acne, because after puberty men's hormone levels even out, but women's hormone levels fluctuate throughout their lifetime. That's why many women experience breakouts around their menstrual cycle or through menopause. Another critical fact: You need the same brilliant ingredients to treat acne, no matter your age. 

Myth #5—There are special "miracle" ingredients for wrinkles.

Ads for antiwrinkle products almost always boast about some rare plant or special vitamin or some other exclusive ingredient they contain. It's complete nonsense. First, there is no single secret or unique ingredient that can address your skin's complex needs. Skin is the largest organ of the human body and requires products loaded with antioxidants and multiple other substances that help healing, repair cell damage, protect from environmental damage, remove built-up dead skin cells, and on and on. There is absolutely no magic ingredient or formula in the world of skin care. Our reviews on Beautypedia are a great (and free!) resource to help you find brilliantly formulated products that meet your skin's needs. 

Myth #6—Skin-care products can work as well as cosmetic corrective procedures.

'Better than Botox?' 'Laser in a bottle?' 'Works like dermal injections'? … Not even remotely possible! There is zero research showing that any skin-care product can work in any way, shape, or form like the types of treatments performed by dermatologists or plastic surgeons. Regardless of the ingredients or the claims for skin-care products, it just isn't possible. Even Botox can't work like Botox if you apply it topically rather than injecting it into the facial muscles. Nor can dermal fillers plump up wrinkles when applied topically rather than being injected. Topically applied skin-care products can do a lot, but they have their limitations. That's why the best approach to anti-aging is a state-of-the-art skin-care routine and, if and when you decide it's time, the cosmetic corrective procedures you're comfortable trying. 

Myth #7—Expensive skin-care products are better than inexpensive ones!

This is one of the hardest anti-aging myths to let go of because as consumers we tend to believe that the more you spend, the better the product. But it just isn't true, at least not in the world of skin care. Our extensive 30 years of research shows that the amount of money you spend on skin-care products has nothing to do with the quality or uniqueness of the formula. We've seen lots of expensive products that are little more than water and wax, inexpensive products that are beautifully formulated, expensive products with beneficial ingredients that are packaged in jars that won't keep the ingredients stable after opening, and expensive daytime products without sunscreen! Spending less doesn't necessarily hurt your skin, and spending more doesn't necessarily help it. It's all about the formulation and the ingredients and whether or not the claims are supported by published research, not about the price. Take advantage of Beautypedia, a tremendous resource that will help you find effective and affordable skin-care options.

There are many more myths in the world of skin care and makeup, but knowing the facts about these top 7 can make a huge difference in achieving the kind of skin you've always wanted, and without wasting your money trying to find the best products available. For more information, visit www.paulaschoice-eu.com where you'll find expert advice on everything from wrinkles to rosacea, straight from Paula and her Paula's Choice Research Team.