Even though most people have well-intended suggestions, you'd be surprised to know how many of those are, excuse our french, absolute bullshit. We've all heard bogus skincare tips from random people ranging from how lemon helps lighten skin tone to alcohol curing acne.

Whether it is cringeworthy skincare advice or DIY concoctions that have ended up badly, we've all been a victim to bad skincare advice at some point in our lives. In this article, we will help debunk some of the myths surrounding skincare so that you can make more informed decisions in the future. After all, skincare is expensive and there is nothing worse than when it does not suit the skin.

1. Popping a Zit Helps it Heal Faster

Absolutely not! This is one of the most common misconceptions surrounding skincare. Popping papules and other types of pimples lead to infection and scarring. Only pimples that grow into a white head are safe for extraction. However, this should not be done at home. Visit an aesthetician or skincare professional to ensure that the pimple is extracted safely.

If you get an ugly pimple on your face, instead of covering it up with heavy makeup, it is best to keep the skin clean and hydrated. Look for products with benzoyl peroxide, retinol, or salicylic acid. These will help clear the skin faster. 

2. You Won't Get Wrinkles if You Perform Facial Exercises Daily

You'll find bloggers all over the internet telling you how facial yoga exercises help tighten the skin and eliminate wrinkles. Scientifically, it is impossible to get rid of existing wrinkles in this manner.

The truth is that some facial exercises may actually make the appearance of those wrinkles even more prominent because of abnormal movements of the facial muscles. Once wrinkles appear on the skin, you cannot erase them naturally. Instead, turn to anti-aging products and become regular with your sunblock to avoid premature fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Applying Toothpaste on a Zit Will Help it Heal

A common home remedy for pimples is smearing a dollop of toothpaste on it. People believe that this helps reduce the size of the pimple, but the truth is, they don't know any better. There is no real evidence to back this claim.

Even though you might temporarily notice the pimple getting better, don't be fooled. Toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide- an antiseptic. In the long-run, it will irritate the skin, increase breakouts, and cause scarring.

4. Moisturisers are Useless

You may believe that moisturising the skin is useless because your skin remains dry despite of it. However, we are here to tell you not to give up hope, and definitely not to give up on your moisturiser. 

Sometimes, moisturisers can't penetrate through sun-damaged skin because of the buildup of dead cells on the surface. To ensure that your skincare products genuinely benefit your skin instead of sitting on the surface, make sure to exfoliate regularly. Find a gentle exfoliant that will suit your skin type. Soon, the clogged skin will become smoother, and your moisturiser will start to work wonders. 

5. Your Diet Has No Connection With Your Acne

Beep, another bad skincare advice! There is loads of research available that relates acne to milk and high-glycemic diets. In fact, your diet is not only linked to acne. If you notice your usually normal skin type become suddenly oily or dull, you may have to pay more attention to the foods that you are consuming on a daily basis. 

If you are someone who suffers from acne, it is time to customise your diet and opt for the correct supplements. Remember, what works for your friend may not work for you. Every body type is different so make sure to be kind to yourself.

6. Red Bumps on Your Face Can Only be Acne

It is common to confuse red bumps with acne. The official term for these red bumps is rosacea. Both conditions share common features- intense redness and pimples. However, to differentiate between acne and rosacea, there are three things you need to consider- age of onset, where they appear, and symptoms.

Even though acne usually occurs during adolescence, it may show up at any age. Rosacea, on the other hand, only occurs after the age of 30. Even though both of these can appear in the central part of the face, acne can also show up on the jawline, hairline, arms, and back. Moreover, blackheads are common with acne, but not so much with rosacea. 

7. Coconut and Olive Oil Can Be Used as Moisturisers

If anyone tells you to moisturise your face with coconut or olive oil, run as fast as you can in the other direction. Even though coconut oil can help hydrate and soften the skin, and is expensive, it is comedogenic. This means that it clogs the pores, resulting in pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. 

Instead, look for moisturisers with calming, hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides. 

8. For Perfect Skin, Invest in Loads of Skincare

There is no denying that skincare can cause a dent in your bank account. It is one of those things that you can buy and buy, and never get sick of. However, skin health is not solely related to the topical creams, lotions, or actives that you apply on your skin.

Scientific evidence suggests that drinking water and eating healthy may not help the appearance of the skin entirely, but they definitely effect how the skin functions. Just as trainers suggest incorporating protein into our diets when trying to build muscle, there is some food that helps feed the skin. This includes tomatoes, grapes, berries, pomegranates, green tea, grapefruit, lemon, and even 70 percent dark chocolate in moderation.

If you have been a victim to any of these advices, it's never too late to switch up your skincare routine and lifestyle. Better late than never, right?