8 skincare myths that are holding you back | Nordic Skin College
Skincare is full of “truths” that are repeated so often they feel like facts. The problem is that some of them actively work against your skin. Here we tackle eight of the most persistent myths and explain what the science actually says.
Myth 1: Oily skin does not need moisturiser
This is one of the most widespread misconceptions, and it creates a vicious cycle. The logic goes: “My skin already produces too much oil, so why add more?”
Why it is wrong
Oil (sebum) and moisture (water) are two different things. Your skin can easily overproduce sebum while simultaneously lacking water. In fact, that is often exactly what happens: when the skin is dehydrated, it compensates by producing even more sebum to protect itself.
When you skip the moisturiser, you send a signal to the skin that the surface is unprotected. The result? More sebum, more clogged pores, more breakouts.
What you should do
Choose a lightweight, water-based moisturiser (gel textures are ideal for oily skin). Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which provide hydration without adding oil.
Myth 2: Natural products are always better
“Natural” sounds good. But it is a marketing term, not a quality guarantee.
Why it is wrong
Poison ivy is natural. Lemon oil is natural - and can cause chemical burns in sunlight. Essential oils are natural - and are among the most common causes of contact allergy in cosmetics.
Conversely, many synthetic ingredients - hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides - are identical to substances already present in your skin. They are simply manufactured in a laboratory to ensure purity and stability.
What you should know
What matters is not whether an ingredient comes from a plant or a laboratory. What matters is: does it work? Has it been tested? Is it stable in the formulation? Is it safe at the concentration used? Those are the questions professionals ask.
Myth 3: You only need sunscreen in summer
This myth is dangerous, because UV radiation is the single greatest cause of premature skin ageing.
Why it is wrong
UVA rays (the ones that break down collagen and cause wrinkles and pigmentation) are present all year round. They penetrate clouds. They penetrate windows. On an overcast November day in Denmark, you still have UVA exposure.
UVB rays (the ones that cause sunburn) are admittedly stronger in summer. But the skin’s cumulative sun damage is a calculation over your entire life - not just July.
What you should do
Use SPF 30-50 on the face as the last step in your morning routine - all year round. It is the cheapest and most effective anti-ageing product there is.
Myth 4: Pores open and close
“Steam the face to open the pores, rinse with cold water to close them.” It sounds logical, but pores do not have muscles.
Why it is wrong
Pores are not doors. They have no mechanism for opening or closing. What you experience is that heat softens sebum and makes extraction easier (which is why they feel “open” after steaming), and cold causes the skin to contract slightly (so they appear smaller).
The actual size of your pores is determined by genetics, age and the amount of sebum and dead cells in them.
What you should know
You cannot permanently change the size of your pores. But you can minimise their visibility by keeping them clean (BHA acid), strengthening the skin around them (retinol, niacinamide), and protecting against collagen loss (SPF).
Myth 5: Expensive is better
A serum costing DKK 1,800 must work better than one costing DKK 180, right?
Why it is wrong
The price of a skincare product reflects many things: packaging, brand, marketing, distribution, and yes - sometimes ingredient quality too. But the correlation between price and effectiveness is weak.
A vitamin C serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid works the same whether the bottle features minimalist Scandinavian design or luxurious French glass. The active ingredient is the same.
What you should do
Read the ingredient list instead of the price tag. Learn to identify the active ingredients and their concentrations. An affordable product with documented active ingredients beats an expensive product with attractive words but unclear formulations.
Myth 6: Drinking water gives you hydrated skin
“Drink two litres of water a day and your dry skin will disappear.” That is oversimplified to the point of being misleading.
Why it is wrong
Yes, severe dehydration affects the skin. But the water you drink is distributed to all the body’s organs - the skin is the last to receive it. Unless you are clinically dehydrated (which very few people in Denmark are), extra water intake will not noticeably change your skin’s hydration level.
Dry skin is typically caused by a compromised skin barrier that lets moisture escape - not a lack of water from within.
What you should do
Drink water because it is generally healthy. But address dry skin from the outside: repair the barrier with ceramides, lock in moisture with occlusive products, and use hyaluronic acid to bind water in the skin’s upper layers.
Myth 7: Anti-ageing should start at 40
“I’m only 28, I don’t need to think about wrinkles yet.”
Why it is wrong
The skin’s collagen production begins to decline from the mid-20s - at roughly 1% per year. The visible signs (fine lines, loss of firmness) do not appear until 10-15 years later, but the degradation is already underway.
Anti-ageing is not about repairing damage after it has happened. It is about protecting what you have while you still have it. Prevention is far easier than correction.
What you should do
From your 20s: SPF daily and antioxidants (vitamin C). From 25-30: add retinol at a low concentration. It is not vanity - it is maintenance. Just as you brush your teeth to prevent cavities, not only once they appear.
Myth 8: You should exfoliate daily
More exfoliation = smoother skin, right? Not quite.
Why it is wrong
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and promotes cell renewal. But the skin needs its surface intact to function as a barrier. Daily exfoliation - particularly with strong acids or coarse scrubs - destroys the barrier faster than it can rebuild.
The result is sensitised skin: redness, irritation, stinging, and paradoxically a worsening of the very problems you were trying to solve (breakouts, dryness, uneven texture).
What you should do
For most people, 2-3 times per week with a mild chemical exfoliant (AHA or BHA at a low concentration) is optimal. Listen to your skin: if it burns, stings or is constantly red, you are exfoliating too much. Some weeks your skin needs a break. Want to experience professional exfoliation? Our AHA fruit acid treatment provides controlled exfoliation under professional supervision.
The professional difference
It is precisely this type of misconception that makes professional advice relevant. A cosmetologist assesses the skin objectively, understands the mechanisms behind it, and can distinguish between myth and evidence. Unsure about your own skincare? Start with a personal skin analysis and consultation, where a professional assesses your skin and gives you concrete advice.
At Nordic Skin College we educate professionals who can guide clients past myths and towards what actually works. If you are passionate about becoming the person others trust with their skin - explore our programmes here.