Skincare Science & Myth Busting in Mumbai

You may have seen a viral video about applying 100-times-washed ghee to your face. Ghee is very good for you to eat, but applying it to your skin is a bad idea. It is comedogenic and can clog your hair follicles, leading to acne or making existing acne worse.

Please stop putting morning spit on your pimples. Your saliva contains a lot of microbes, bacteria, and fungi. Applying it to your face is unhygienic and can worsen your acne. Instead, wash your face with a proper cleanser and use a clindamycin-based spot treatment after consulting a dermatologist.

Let's talk about three overrated things in skincare. First, toners are generally not required. Second, excessive exfoliation is damaging your skin barrier. And third, using a gua sha for anti-aging simply does not provide lasting results. Focus on a simple, effective routine instead.

You see many influencers using LED masks, but you should be cautious. While it is a form of light therapy, it may not suit everyone and can cause light allergies or skin damage similar to sunlight. These treatments should be done in a controlled clinic environment by a dermatologist, not with at-home devices.

Social media trends can be tempting, but do not become a guinea pig for every hack you see. Applying overnight masks can irritate the skin, shaving your lips can introduce bacteria, and using press-on nails can damage your nail beds. Always think twice and consult an expert.

There are many skincare lies on social media. These include using too many different actives at once, layering them incorrectly, relying on unproven home remedies, and using at-home devices that can be unsafe. Your skin deserves a professional, evidence-based approach.

Have you been "stardusted"? This is a marketing trick where brands add a tiny, ineffective amount of a popular ingredient to a product just so they can list it on the label. This is why it is important to choose products from reputable pharmaceutical companies or get recommendations from a dermatologist.

Everyone is talking about exfoliation, but over-exfoliation is very damaging. It strips the natural oil layer of your skin, causing excessive dryness, early wrinkle formation, and increased sensitivity to other products and sunlight. A gentle, controlled approach is much better.

When you overuse different skincare ingredients, you are confusing your skin. It can become more irritated, dehydrated, and may even stop responding to active ingredients. This leads to inflammation and redness that becomes very difficult for us dermatologists to treat. Go slow and use a simple, stepwise approach.