8 “anti-aging” skincare myths, debunked

The beauty and skincare industries like to throw around the term “anti-aging” to describe things like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, etc., but let’s not be so “anti-” about it. Aging is a natural, beautiful process, not to mention, it’s a privilege. When we talk about preventing skin aging, what we really mean is preventing and repairing damage to the skin from too much sun exposure, smoking, and various other factors that can contribute to your skin’s health and longevity.

Your custom Curology formula can help with this, which is why we’re here to help change your perspective on “anti-aging” skincare. Now let’s debunk some myths.

Myth 1: Expensive skincare products are superior

True or false? False.

When paying for expensive skincare, you’re paying for the feel, smell, packaging, etc., not necessarily the results! A study in Sweden divided eighty women into 3 groups: group A used an expensive face cream in luxury packaging, group B used regular moisturizer in luxury packaging, and group C used the expensive cream in neutral packaging. By the end of this study, there was no difference between the luxury and regular moisturizer when it came to wrinkles and smoothness or even the subjects feeling as though their skin looked younger. Expensive products are marketed to the masses, not for your unique skin, so the benefits that they claim to offer may not even be compatible with certain skin types, despite the hefty price tag. An expensive skincare product and a similar, more affordable version with the same ingredients would be expected to produce similar results — but the even better option is a customized skincare product.

Each new Curology member is prescribed their own unique formula by a licensed dermatology provider, without having to empty your wallet on expensive, generic skincare products that may not be as effective. We mix all our formulations in-house to keep prices low compared to other customized skincare brands (for example, Proven Skincare’s personalized kit is $145!).

Myth 2: Natural/organic products are better for skin

True or false? False.

Natural products may be trendy, but as we always say, approach trends with skepticism! According to a report released by NPD, 40–50% of women “actively seek natural or organic ingredients in their products, and those free of ingredients including fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and gluten.” Natural and organic ingredients do have benefits for the skin, but there’s no significant research to show that natural ingredients are superior. Studies show that just because a product is natural doesn’t mean it’s better for the skin than other products that may not be natural or organic. Besides, the FDA doesn’t regulate the word “natural” when it comes to skincare and cosmetics, so theoretically, any brand can include the buzzword on their label.

There are totally legitimate reasons to use products that are paraben-free and sulfate-free, however. Curology’s products are cruelty-free, paraben-free, non-pore-clogging, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free, so you get all of the safety and benefits touted by “natural” products while also getting a treatment that’s proven to work.

Myth 3: Only older women/men need anti-aging products

True or false? False.

Prevention is the best medicine! Even young adults can benefit from using anti-aging products to help maintain a youthful appearance for as long as possible. Also, some ingredients used for anti-aging also help with acne and post-acne spots (hyperpigmentation). You can get these power-packed ingredients in your custom Curology formula to help clear your skin and prevent aging, all in one superbottle.

Regardless of age, skincare products should be based on skin type and individual concerns. Your age doesn’t determine what your skin needs, anyway — how quickly your skin ages is determined by a combination of genetics, sun exposure, and other personal factors such as diet or smoking. On that note, if you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your skin, besides wearing sunscreen!

Myth 4: Sunscreen isn’t necessary for all skin types

True or false? False.

Even if you don’t tend to get sunburn, nobody’s skin is immune to the sun’s harmful rays. Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and other premature signs of aging in every skin type! Even during the winter and on cloudy days, UV rays reach the Earth’s surface, so the best way to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging in your skin is to wear sunscreen everyday. One study followed a group of people who used sunscreen daily for 4 and a half years. These people showed no detectable increase in skin aging! Their skin aged 24% less than the control group that didn’t apply sunscreen every day. That just proves that wearing sunscreen every day is way easier than having to undo damage later!

Especially if you’re using anti-aging skincare products — such as a custom Curology formulated to reduce fine lines, age spots, sun spots, freckles, or other sun-related skin damage — wearing sunscreen everyday is essential to prevent new damage to your skin. Some ingredients in anti-aging skincare products, such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Luckily, it’s super easy to integrate into your everyday skincare routine. Check out our list of the best face sunscreens for every skin type that won’t clog pores. Future you will thank you for adding this simple step to your routine!

Myth 5: Anti-aging products can be used short-term — you can stop using them once you get the results you want

True or False? False.

We love instant gratification as much as the next guy, but anti-aging products don’t work overnight! It takes time to see results. This can lead people to believe either a) their products aren’t working, or b) they don’t need to keep using them once they see results. Neither is the case. One study revealed that three months of consistently using the anti-aging topical provided increasingly better results as time went on. If participants stopped using the topical product right as some results were shown, they would not have benefitted as much as they did at the three month mark.

Depending on the depth and severity of the spots, lines, and other potential damage you’re trying to treat, it can take months of consistent use to see results. And once you see results, you have to keep using it to keep the results coming. Think of it this way: it took years of sun exposure to get to this point, so it’s definitely going to take some time to see improvement! You also will have to use sunscreen to prevent new damage from undoing all of your hard work on your skin. Skincare is an ongoing process. Even the quickest fixes available — those pricey in-office laser skin treatments — take several sessions and weeks, if not months, to achieve the best results.

That’s one reason why we’ve made Curology into a simple, convenient, affordable monthly subscription, so you can keep your skin’s progress on track and uninterrupted, with your new bottle shipping automatically to your door.

Myth 6: Specific diets can prevent aging

True or False? True-ish.

While some popular news/beauty/health publications promote specific diets and foods that claim to “slow down aging,” there are no specific foods or diets that can really have that huge of an effect on your skin. But hey, don’t rush straight to the nearest drive-in just yet: a balanced diet including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is important for overall health and well-being, so eating healthy can’t hurt! Studies support that maintaining a healthy diet is important for skin health regardless of age. It’s equally important to emphasize the importance of a regular skincare routine with a formula made just for you in order to maintain healthy skin.

Myth 7: Regular facials can help prevent skin aging

True or False? False.

While facials may help you feel good and relaxed — and reducing stress is good for your skin, to be sure — they don’t make any long-term difference in your skin. But by all means, get yourself a facial for the feel-good fun of it! Just be careful who you go to, because if they aren’t done right, facials can actually cause inflammation. If a facialist squeezes your pimples or blackheads, that can actually lead to post-acne spots, or hyperpigmentation — yikes! Overall, facials have the potential to do more harm than good. But a facial massage and some hydrating, nourishing treatments are a great way to treat yo’self.

What does make a real difference is consistently using skincare products with active ingredients that you can trust, prescribed for you by a dermatology provider. Besides, a subscription to your own custom Curology formula is less expensive than getting regular facials!

Myth 8: Aging is completely genetic

True or False? False-ish.

Aging, at least where our skin is concerned, is actually not totally out of our control. Aging is genetic and will inevitably happen to all of us one day, but there are ways to prevent how quickly it comes on. Adding certain steps to your skincare routine — even something as simple as wearing sunscreen! — can have a huge impact on your skin’s appearance throughout the aging process.

Curology is for you — true story

We take the guesswork out of finding the right products for your skin by connecting you to a dermatology provider who’ll whip up a custom formula just for you and your (sk)individual needs. And if you opt for the set, complete with our cleanser and moisturizer, you can easily wrap up your easy skincare routine in under 5 minutes! Sign up for a free trial at curology.com and your first month’s on us.

Written by

Curology Team