Scrolling Instagram has become almost an addiction for many of us. But the moment you take an influencer’s skincare advice or try some viral hack, it’s over for your skin. Those 15-second “glass skin” miracles and “overnight glow” promises are pure hype, zero science, and sometimes straight-up harmful.
Let me cut through the noise and give you a dermatologist’s take. Let’s look at the biggest skincare myths on your feed.
1. ‘All-natural’ is always safe
Lemon juice toner for brightening? Coffee grounds scrub for smoothness? Raw egg whites to shrink pores? These DIY skincare ‘products’ rack up millions of views—and even more irritated skin complaints.
Lemon is basically nature’s acid peel. Its low pH strips the skin’s barrier, spikes sun sensitivity, and can leave you with nasty burns. The condition is called phytophotodermatitis and it involves real citrus burns from sun exposure.
There is zero evidence that egg whites tighten anything. They do, however, create plenty of room for bacterial contamination or allergic reactions.
The bottom line is, “Natural” doesn’t mean safe or effective. Real results come from properly formulated, tested ingredients—not whatever’s trending.
Also read: How to treat melasma—strict sun protection, oral therapies and targeted lasers
2. You must have a 10-step skincare routine
You’ve seen the videos: layer upon layer of serums, essences, oils, masks. They make you feel like a failure for only using three products.
But more isn’t better. Overloading your skin can clog pores, break the barrier, trigger acne, or just waste your money and time.
The glow-up sweet spot for most people is when they keep it simple. Just stick to a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen. Your skin will thank you.
3. Expensive equals high quality
Fancy packaging, influencer collabs, and big price tags don’t magically make a product superior.
Plenty of affordable (even drugstore) options pack the same ingredients—stable vitamin C, niacinamide, retinoids—at effective concentrations. What counts is the formula, stability, and how it plays with your skin—not the brand’s marketing budget.
4. Oily skin means you can skip moisturiser
This one hurts my dermatologist heart. Skipping moisturiser for oily skin is like telling your face, “Hey, produce more oil.”
Dehydrated skin overcompensates with excess sebum, which leads to more shine, bigger breakouts, and an irritated barrier.
So what’s the fix? Use lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers. Hydrate without the grease, and your pores will chill out.
Also read: Gel manicure is weakening your nails. Here’s how to care for them
5. You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days
Whether it’s a cloudy day or you’re indoors, you still need SPF.
UVA rays (the ones that make your skin age faster) sneak through clouds, glass, and even car windows. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is your number one anti-aging, anti-pigmentation, anti-skin-cancer weapon. Make it non-negotiable.
6. Natural ingredients are better than synthetic ones
“Chemical-free” sounds good, but nature isn’t always gentle. Poison ivy is natural. Belladonna is natural. Many “clean” plant extracts are unstable, irritating, or allergenic.
Meanwhile, lab-made ‘chemicals’ such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides are engineered to be stable, safe, and super effective for your skin. Science wins here.
7. Exfoliating every day yields instant glow
Is daily scrubbing a shortcut to radiant skin? No, but it is certainly a path to red, raw, angry skin.
Over-exfoliation trashes your barrier and leads to increased sensitivity, dryness, and breakouts, even premature aging. Stick to a maximum of two to three times a week. Choose chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) over harsh physical scrubs; they’re gentler and way more effective.
Listen to your skin
Just because your bestie swears by slugging, it doesn’t mean slugging will work for you too. It might just give you acne. Someone’s “holy grail” acid can make your skin peel.
When it comes to skincare, skin type, concerns, sensitivities, and even climate matters. Blindly following trends is a recipe for regret. Listen to your skin and always patch test. And when in doubt, chat with a dermatologist.
Social media gives us endless inspiration, but also has plenty of misinformation. Always remember—your skin isn’t a science lab.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a Consultant Dermatologist, Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)