Skincare Myths 2024

According to our research, using toothpaste to dry out spots is the skincare myth that’s followed the most, with more than 1 in 5 (21%) people admitting to trying it at some point in their life. Despite toothpaste’s primary function being to remove plaque and bacteria from our enamel, the DIY treatment has long been hailed as a handy hack that many swear by to quickly dry out pimples. However, our skincare expert and therapist Maddie Cridge warns against trying the hack: “Toothpaste may seem like a quick and easy hack for drying out unwanted blemishes, however people should approach with caution. Toothpaste contains ingredients that can cause skin redness, itching and inflammation - meaning your speedy skincare fix could end up causing more harm than good.”

The second most followed skincare myth, as revealed by our study, is only wearing SPF while sunbathing, which 18% of people admit to doing - a huge skincare no-no for anyone looking for youthful, clear and glowing skin. A (broad-spectrum) SPF will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays which come from the sun, thereby decreasing the risk of sunburn, premature ageing and skin cancer. Not only this, but using a SPF daily - even when it’s not sunny outside - can offer your skin many other benefits too. Lots of SPFs contain antioxidants which can help defend against environmental aggressors that we’re all exposed to, and using an SPF will also help protect your skin if you use acids (AHAs, BHAs and retinols) as part of your skincare routine. Maddie explains: “Acids such as AHAs and BHAs work by removing all dead cells from the surface of your skin - revealing a fresh layer of skin beneath which is super vulnerable to the effects of the sun. It’s therefore vital to wear your SPF to protect against the sun rays, and from things such as hyperpigmentation.”

Rounding off the top three most common skincare myths was using charcoal peel off skin care masks. Charcoal face masks have soared in popularity over the past decade, with the activated charcoal masks being used to draw out impurities from the skin and clearing away blackheads, dead skin and more from clogged pores. However, charcoal peel-off masks often contain adhesive agents which can cause irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin, or certain skin conditions. The aggressive nature of the charcoal can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and inflammation. In serious cases, charcoal masks can also cause skin peeling, which in turn can lead to serious permanent skin damage such as scarring or infection. Maddie explains: “Though charcoal masks are praised for their ability to draw out impurities from the skin, they should be approached with caution. Some charcoal beauty products are not regulated by the FDA and can cause irritation as a result, with the peeling-off process also causing trauma to the skin for some, exacerbating conditions such as acne and rosacea. If you are considering using a charcoal mask, wash with a gentle cleanser after peeling to remove any excess, and generously apply a soothing moisturiser to protect the skin as much as possible.”

Other skincare fails beauty lovers admitted to making were involving the use (or not) of moisturiser. More than 1 in 10 people (11%) admitted to using coconut oil as a moisturiser at some point during their lives, and though it may seem savvy to use a household staple to give your skin the moisturising boost it’s craving, coconut oil could be causing more issues than it solves for some. This is because coconut oil has a particularly high comedogenic rating - a rating on a scale of one to five which reveals how pore-clogging a product is. Coconut oil could therefore cause skin problems such as increased blemishes and irritation for those with particularly sensitive or oily skin types.

In total contrast to this, just under 10% of people (9%) revealed that they have abstained from using moisturiser at all, due to having oily skin. Maddie explains why this is a mistake: “It's a common misconception that you shouldn’t use moisturiser if you have oily skin - however skin that has a high oil production needs a moisturiser in order to regulate production. Not using a moisturiser can often produce the opposite effect in those with naturally oily skin, causing the skin to produce more oil to hydrate itself. Instead, in order to hydrate your skin without causing further oiliness or blemishes, avoid oil-based moisturisers and heavy creams and lotions, and instead opt for moisturisers with a water-based gel formula.”

With so many products out in the shops, each promising to give you clearer, brighter and younger-looking skin, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to purchasing the right treatment for your skin. With the cost of buying a whole new skincare routine not buying cheap either, it can be tempting to take matters into your own hands, turn to the kitchen cupboards and go back to basics. Our study revealed that this was the case for many beauty lovers, with a huge number of the most commonly tried skin care myths being DIY treatments - from DIY scrubs using sugar, salt or coffee granules, to more worryingly, removing a skin tag at home using DIY methods.

Having gone viral as a TikTok trend back in 2022, 4% admitted to using haemorrhoid cream to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags. Haemorrhoid cream reduces swelling by temporarily restricting blood vessels, and these creams also typically contain steroids which are anti-inflammatory - which technically could work in reducing puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. However you should not be using steroids near your eyes over long periods of time. Maddie explains: “This TikTok inspired trend worked for many - but lots of people took to the app to show how this trend went wrong too with some experiencing skin burns and even cornea damage. Haemorrhoid cream is not formulated to be used around your eyes, or indeed anywhere on your face - and using over a long period could lead to irreversible effects including skin thinning and lightening, cataracts, and glaucoma.”

Outside of the top 15, most common skincare myths included dangerous tanning hacks commonly shared on TikTok including using sun cream to ‘contour your face’ (3%) or dousing the skin in beer in order to get a better tan (2%). Other ill-advised hacks people admitted to trying included using dental floss to remove blackheads (3%), using deodorant as a makeup primer (2%) and concerningly, using household glue to get rid of spots or blackheads (2%).

Rank	Skincare myth	Percentage of people who've tried the myth
1	Used toothpaste to dry out spots	21%
2	Only worn SPF while sunbathing	18%
3	Used charcoal peel off skin masks	13%
4	Used coconut oil as a moisturiser	11%
5	Not used moisturiser at all due to oily skin	9%
6	Removed a skin tag at home via DIY methods	9%
7	Exfoliated with sugar or salt	7%
8	Set skincare or makeup with hairspray	6%
9	Pinched face to try and reshape it	5%
10	Used lemon or lime juice to eliminate dead skin cells	5%
11	‘Slugged’ face with petroleum jelly	5%
12	Applied raw eggs to the skin in order to tighten the face	4%
13	Used a DIY baking soda face scrub	4%
14	Used anti-dandruff shampoo as a facial wash	4%
15	Used haemorrhoid cream to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags	4%
15	Used a DIY coffee face scrub	4%