--- title: "Myth vs. Fact | School of Dermatology" description: "Evidence-based answers to the most common skincare myths. Find out what's true, what's false, and what the science actually says." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "CollectionPage", "name": "Myth vs. Fact", "description": "Evidence-based answers to the most common skincare myths.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "School of Dermatology" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Myth vs Fact", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/myth-vs-fact" } ] } ] --- [![School of Dermatology](/assets/logo-AGZDufdq.svg)](/) Articles [Skin Types](/skin-types) Tools [Glossary](/glossary) Evidence-Based # Myth vs. Fact Skincare is full of misinformation. We break down the most common claims and tell you what the science actually says. [ ![Drinking More Water Hydrates Your Skin](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1548839140-29a749e1cf4d?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) PARTIALLY TRUE ## Drinking More Water Hydrates Your Skin Staying hydrated helps, but it's not the skin solution you think. ](/myth-vs-fact/drinking-water-hydrates-skin)[ ![Oily Skin Doesn't Need Moisturizer](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-0d85b1a4d571?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Oily Skin Doesn't Need Moisturizer Skipping moisturizer might be making your oily skin worse. ](/myth-vs-fact/oily-skin-doesnt-need-moisturizer)[ ![Pores Open and Close With Hot and Cold Water](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Pores Open and Close With Hot and Cold Water Your pores don't have muscles — here's what really happens. ](/myth-vs-fact/pores-open-and-close)[ ![You Only Need SPF on Sunny Days](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1532938911079-1b06ac7ceec7?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## You Only Need SPF on Sunny Days UVA rays don't care about clouds — and neither should you. ](/myth-vs-fact/spf-only-on-sunny-days)[ ![Greasy Food Causes Acne](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) PARTIALLY TRUE ## Greasy Food Causes Acne It's not the grease — but your diet does play a role. ](/myth-vs-fact/greasy-food-causes-acne)[ ![Natural Ingredients Are Always Safer Than Synthetic Ones](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556227834-09f1de7a7d14?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Natural Ingredients Are Always Safer Than Synthetic Ones Poison ivy is natural too — here's why 'natural' means nothing for safety. ](/myth-vs-fact/natural-vs-synthetic-ingredients)[ ![You Need to Feel a Tingle for a Product to Be Working](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1570172619644-dfd03ed5d881?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## You Need to Feel a Tingle for a Product to Be Working That burning feeling isn't a sign of progress — it's irritation. ](/myth-vs-fact/tingle-means-working)[ ![Toothpaste Helps Dry Out Pimples](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1559056199-641a0ac8b55e?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Toothpaste Helps Dry Out Pimples Put down the Colgate — there are much better options. ](/myth-vs-fact/toothpaste-on-pimples)[ ![Blackheads Are Caused by Dirty Skin](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1616394584738-fc6e612e71b9?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Blackheads Are Caused by Dirty Skin They're not dirt — they're oxidized sebum. And scrubbing makes it worse. ](/myth-vs-fact/blackheads-caused-by-dirty-skin)[ ![Expensive Skincare Always Works Better](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571781926291-c477ebfd024b?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## Expensive Skincare Always Works Better Price tags don't equal results — here's what actually matters. ](/myth-vs-fact/expensive-skincare-works-better)[ ![You Stop Needing Sunscreen Indoors](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1495433324511-bf8e92934d90?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## You Stop Needing Sunscreen Indoors UVA rays go right through your windows — yes, even at your desk. ](/myth-vs-fact/sunscreen-indoors)[ ![You Need to Match Your Skincare to Your Age](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598440947619-2c35fc9aa908?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) MYTH ## You Need to Match Your Skincare to Your Age Your skin type matters more than the number of candles on your cake. ](/myth-vs-fact/match-skincare-to-age) #### Ingredients - [Browse All](/topics/ingredients) #### Treatments - [Browse All](/topics/treatments) #### Skin Concerns - [Browse All](/topics/skin-concerns) #### Light Therapy - [Browse All](/topics/light-therapy) #### Skin Care - [Browse All](/topics/skin-care) #### Hair Care - [Browse All](/topics/hair-care) #### Resources - [Skincare Glossary](/glossary) - [All Articles](/articles) - [Contact Us](/contact) © 2026 School of Dermatology. 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