The team at Fig.1 believes skincare is healthcare, meaning everyone should have access to both effective products and expert advice. Fig.1‘s Co-Founder and cosmetic chemist Lizzy Trelstad debunked some of the most common skincare myths to uncover how we should really be taking care of our skin.
Myth: Retinol isn’t necessary until you’re over 30
Reality: Retinol can help at any age – from the earliest pimples to the deepest wrinkles. In fact, the Vitamin A Retinoid family was first introduced as an anti-acne solution, with tretinoin prescribed to help decongest clogged pores and stop whiteheads and blackheads from forming. A few years later, skin scientists discovered it’s also amazing at helping to boost collagen, slowing the formation of visible lines and wrinkles.
Myth: Expensive skincare products yield the best results
Reality: That’s not always true, and a misconception Fig.1 is committed to changing! By starting product development from scratch we were able to build formulas that work with the chemistry of key ingredients, for skin chemistry. As a result, we avoided the use of extraneous or filler ingredients, which often add cost to formulas. As part of Fig.1’s mission to deliver performance-based products you can build a daily routine around, we also choose to forgo the standard industry markup and keep prices accessible.
Myth: People with sensitive skin should avoid all exfoliators
Reality: When paired with the right hydrating ingredients, used at the right levels, and in the right way, even chemical exfoliants can be safe and effective for sensitive skin. Fig.1’s Glycolic Glow Treatment pairs 4% Glycolic Acid with hydrating and nourishing squalane to help deliver all the benefits of exfoliators, without the sensitizing side effects.
Myth: Good skin requires an extensive, detailed skincare routine
Reality: Using products tailored to the skin’s chemistry and its specific needs means you can get a lot out of just a few products. The best routines for healthy skin are those built around using the right ingredients at the right levels. More products and more steps can sometimes overcomplicate this, and just stress skin out.
Myth: If you feel a burning or tingling sensation, your skincare is working
Reality: Burning or tingling is a sign of your skin’s natural defense to protect against over-sensitization. If you’re feeling burning or tingling, that probably means your skin is not reacting well to a product. Skincare should feel good! Even if you don’t feel a serum or a lotion working, you may just wake up in the morning to see results!
Myth: Higher concentrations of ingredients are better
Reality: Higher concentrations don’t always mean better results. If anything, the only thing higher concentrations guarantee is a higher chance of developing irritation! The trick to effective formulation is finding the right concentrations of actives: not too low to be ineffective, but not so high that they risk causing skin irritation. Often, that balance is a matter of a dermatologist and a chemist putting their heads together!
Myth: All cleansers are interchangeable, since you’re just washing them off
Reality: Cleansers are the underrated foundation of a full skincare routine. Finding the right cleanser for your skin goals can mean the difference between your serums and lotions feeling good and working well, and setting your skin up for over-sensitization.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
