How many times have you tried a product — or avoided one — because someone told you it was good or bad for you? Maybe a friend warned you off an ingredient, or an old wives' tale convinced you to skip an entire step in your routine. We've all been there. We naturally trust other people's experiences, especially when they're convinced something worked for them, so it must work for you too.
But it's time to start backing those recommendations with facts — and to dismiss the myths that have kept you away from genuinely great products over the years. Old remedies are often among the biggest culprits, though they sometimes contain a grain of truth, which is exactly what makes them so hard to shake. Perhaps it's time we start figuring out what actually works for us as individuals, and stop being afraid to try something new. Facts don't lie — so let's explore them together.
Makeup offers the same protection as sunscreen — Myth
It's easy to understand why this myth persists — many foundations and primers are marketed with SPF protection. But the truth is straightforward: sunscreens are the only products that actually shield your skin from UV rays, and even then, you need a high SPF with at least four-star UVA protection.
SPF 15 blocks around 90% of the sun's rays, while SPF 30 covers up to 97%. No product offers 100% protection — but it's still essential to wear sunscreen every day, even when it's overcast.
The difference comes down to how you apply it. Sunscreen requires generous amounts to work properly. With foundation, we think entirely differently — and a hybrid product trying to be both foundation and sunscreen risks doing neither job particularly well. Always prioritise a separate sun protection step in your morning routine.
Makeup is bad for your skin — Somewhere in between
This one is more nuanced than a straightforward yes or no. Modern makeup products are carefully formulated with ingredients that are gentle, easy to remove, and sometimes even moisturising. We're in a much better position today than we once were.
In the early 1900s, it was a very different story. Regulation was almost non-existent and products could contain heavy metals such as lead and arsenic. Today, cosmetics are rigorously tested and regulated — and you can see the difference in how skin responds to the right products.
The exception is if you wear makeup for extended periods without removing it properly, use products past their expiry date, or never give your skin a chance to recover. That's when things can go wrong. Your skin needs to breathe — and it's your job to give it that opportunity.
You should never sleep in your makeup — True
This is one of those pieces of advice that's actually one hundred per cent correct. Sleeping in makeup can cause a whole range of problems — and it takes time and effort to repair the damage.
When you lie down, makeup is pressed deeper into your pores by the pillow. Oils build up, your skin can become dry and congested, and redness develops. Foundation and concealer left on overnight also prevent your skin's natural renewal process, which happens while you sleep.
Eye makeup is especially important to remove every evening. Mascara that dries in place restricts the lashes' freedom of movement — and when you shift during sleep, it pulls and twists your lashes. This can cause them to break or fall out prematurely. The risk of eye infections also increases significantly when mascara and eyeliner are left on overnight. Always end the day with a thorough cleanse, and consider applying a lash serum to nourish your lashes while you sleep.
Makeup has no expiry date — Myth
Unfortunately, just like food, cosmetics have a maximum shelf life. Unlike food, makeup measures its lifespan in months from when you first open the product — not from the manufacturing date.
You'll find the symbol on most products: a small open jar with a number inside. "12M" means the product is good for 12 months after opening. High temperatures and direct sunlight speed up deterioration — store your makeup somewhere cool and dark for best results.
Also make sure you clean your brushes regularly. Every time you dip a brush into a product, you risk introducing bacteria. Dead skin cells — even microscopic ones — are transferred and create a breeding ground for bacteria that then comes into contact with your eyes. Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced every three months, not because they look off, but because bacterial growth happens invisibly.
You can give your lips more definition — True
It's easier than you might think to enhance your lips with a few simple steps at home. Lip balms with active ingredients such as peptides or hyaluronic acid moisturise deeply and give lips a softer, more polished feel — and when your lips are in good condition, they simply stand out more.
Combine this with a subtle overlining along the lip contour and a light, glossy lipstick to frame and lift the shape. The key is subtlety — a slight overline looks natural, while a very obvious one tends to look heavy-handed. Small details that together make a big difference.
