Will frequent exfoliation cause darker skin? Experts explain 6 whitening myths

Whitening myth 1: Can frequent exfoliation whiten your skin?

If the skin's old dead skin cells are not metabolized normally, they will accumulate on the skin's surface, causing the skin to feel rough. At the same time, it will make it difficult for melanin to be metabolized, causing a dull complexion. Exfoliation can remove the "storage space" of melanin and enhance the "translucency" of the skin. So frequent exfoliation helps whiten the skin, and the whitening effect will be better if you exfoliate every day!

Expert interpretation: The accumulation of keratin is one of the problems with whitening. Proper exfoliation can indeed promote melanin metabolism. However, frequent exfoliation will make the cuticle thinner and thinner, weaken the skin's tolerance and water retention ability, and increase the likelihood of being damaged by ultraviolet rays and external damage, which will only make the skin darker.

Baixi suggests: It is more gentle to use cotton pads to exfoliate

If you change "frequently" to "occasionally", it is okay to exfoliate once a week or once a month, but you must use a mild exfoliating product and the rubbing technique should be gentle. In addition, it is also a good idea to wet a cotton pad with toner and gently wipe it in circles. However, you need to pay attention to choosing mercerized cotton pads with low friction, use both sides of the cotton pad, do not use too much force, and wipe from the cheeks towards the temples. These may be things you have overlooked.

Whitening Myth 2: Why am I still darker even after using sunscreen?

Everyone knows the importance of sun protection, but why do we still get tanned even though we apply sunscreen every day? Is it because the sunscreen is not effective enough?

Expert interpretation: There are three reasons why the more we apply sunscreen, the darker our skin becomes: 1. The SPF is not enough; 2. The SPF is high enough, but the chemical sunscreen products used contain chemical sunscreen ingredients that cause inflammation, leading to redness and then darkening; 3. The SPF is high enough, but the physical sunscreen ingredients clog the pores, causing the accumulation of keratin and melanin.

Baixi suggestion: Staying out of the sun is more important than sun protection

Everyone's skin is different, so whether to choose physical or chemical sunscreen depends on personal needs, but facts tell us the importance of "empiricism", which means we can only avoid these: waterproof types are easy to clog pores, so try to choose them as little as possible; the higher the SPF, the better, around 30 is usually enough; emulsion sunscreen is better; sunscreen ingredients are easy to decompose and be wiped off, so reapplication is necessary; finally: to maintain healthy skin, it is more important to stay out of the sun than to protect yourself from the sun.

Whitening Myth 3: Why do I use whitening products desperately but see no results?

Expert interpretation: For mature skin, no matter how good the whitening skin care products you use are, the dermis cells are no longer effective, and the regeneration and metabolic capabilities of the living cells in the epidermis are becoming increasingly weak - at this time, metabolism and absorption are not good, and nothing you use will be effective.

Whitening suggestion: Cell activation to oxygenate the skin

More and more new essence products begin to emphasize "overall enhancement of skin cell regeneration effect". So, don't you want to get one too? Although they are not skin care products that claim to whiten your skin, after using them you will find that your skin not only becomes healthier, but also whiter. In addition, carbon dioxide therapy, which is very popular abroad, can also promote blood circulation and replenish oxygen for the epidermis. These trendy "whitening methods" are worth a try for mature skin.

Whitening myth 4: Can you regain your white skin by using whitening products immediately after sun exposure?

If you get tanned, you should remedy it immediately. Why are whitening products ineffective? Should you use whitening products after sun exposure?

Expert interpretation: The damage caused by free radicals after sun exposure can cause inflammatory pigmentation in the skin, making the skin tone uneven and dull. When melanin is active, what you should do is not to act immediately, but to calm the skin down first. Rushing to use whitening products will irritate the skin and cause irreversible damage.

Fairness suggestion: Soothe first and then whiten

Do not use whitening products after sun exposure. You can use aloe vera to calm the skin and then help the skin regain its whiteness, or use the soothing effect of chamomile to apply a facial mask to help the skin relieve the harmful free radical damage caused by sun exposure. When using whitening products subsequently, be sure to avoid products containing fragrances, chemical additives such as hydroquinone, hydrogen peroxide and fruit acid. You can choose natural whitening products to reduce irritation.

Whitening myth 5: I like to remove makeup thoroughly, but it will cause more spots

Incomplete makeup removal will clog pores and cause the proliferation of blackheads and acne. Every time you remove makeup, you must wash it several times to feel at ease. But why are there more and more spots?

Expert interpretation: Clinical experience has confirmed that it is not a big deal if there is some makeup left after incomplete makeup removal... On the contrary, women who like to "thoroughly remove makeup" are more likely to develop pigmentation, because thorough makeup removal is inevitably accompanied by products with too strong fat-removing power and always irritating the skin (long massage time, high intensity, etc.).

Baixi Suggestions: Grasp the tips for removing makeup and washing your face

As long as you wear foundation, makeup or any cosmetics with finishing effects, you need to remove them correctly: 1. Rub the cleansing oil with dry hands and gently apply it on your face. For the areas where mascara is located, wipe down along the direction of eyelash growth with your hands, and focus on massaging the waterproof areas; 2. Wet your hands and massage the cleansing oil twice to emulsify it, then rinse and cleanse your face immediately. The whole process should be controlled within half a minute. If your skin remains dry and tight for more than five minutes after washing your face, it means you are over-cleansing. Usually the biggest problem will require you to change the frequency and strength of rubbing.

Whitening Myth 6: The whitening method is correct, but it won’t make your skin whiter

I always do skin care diligently, and there is nothing wrong with the whitening method. I pay attention to what I should pay attention to and take precautions, but my skin still doesn't become white. What can I do?

Expert interpretation: If there is no problem with your skin care, there is probably something wrong with your lifestyle. Staying up late, irregular diet, sitting for long periods of time, and excessive stress are all the nemesis of whitening. Abnormal work and rest will cause the body's metabolic capacity to decline, affect the production and metabolism of melanin, reduce the repair ability of the epidermis, and may also cause endocrine disorders, thus affecting skin quality.

Bai Xi suggests: Develop good living habits

Modern people are under great pressure in life, and staying up late is commonplace. The editor can only suggest that everyone should go to bed early and get up early. The sleep time at night is the time for skin renewal and repair. New cell growth occurs during the "beauty sleep" period. Going to bed too late or not getting enough sleep will make the metabolic function no longer smooth, making the skin appear dull and gray. In addition, irregular work and rest can also lead to endocrine disorders, in which case any whitening products will be ineffective, so if you want to whiten your skin, change your bad living habits first!