There is a lot of skincar
e advice out there. Most of it is wrong.
From things your mum told you to TikTok trends that have no basis in reality, bad skincare advice is everywhere and it is costing your skin.
Here are five of the most persistent myths, debunked properly.
The Quick Answer
Good skincare is actually simple:
- Cleanse properly
- Shave with the right tools and prep
- Hydrate daily, oily skin included
- Wear SPF every single day
- Exfoliate once or twice a week, not daily
That is it. Everything else is noise.
Myth 1: Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
The truth: It does not. This is one of the most repeated myths in beauty and it has no basis in fact.
When you shave, the blade cuts the hair at the surface leaving a blunt edge. As the hair grows back that blunt tip can feel coarser and look slightly darker than the tapered point it had before. That is the entire explanation. The actual thickness, colour, and rate of growth of your hair does not change at all.
What does make a difference is the quality of your shave. A sharp blade, a proper shave cream, and good aftercare mean your skin stays smooth for longer and grows back without irritation.
The FFS Razor Starter Kit is rated a Which? Best Buy for women's wet razors (August 2027) and designed specifically for women, not repackaged from a men's product. Six precision blades, a Vitamin E conditioning strip, and a flexible head that works with your body rather than against it.
Myth 2: You Only Need SPF on Sunny Days
The truth: UV rays do not take days off. Neither should your SPF.
UVA rays, the ones responsible for skin ageing and long-term damage, penetrate cloud cover and glass. They are present year-round, in winter, on overcast days, and even when you are sitting near a window indoors. UVB rays, which cause burning, are stronger in summer but still present throughout the year in the UK.
Daily SPF on your face is one of the single most effective things you can do for your skin long-term. More effective than any serum or treatment. It prevents the damage from happening in the first place rather than trying to fix it after.
SPF 30 minimum, every morning, regardless of what the weather is doing outside.
Myth 3: Oily Skin Does Not Need Moisturiser
The truth: Oily skin absolutely needs moisturiser. Skipping it often makes oiliness worse.
When your skin is dehydrated it compensates by producing more sebum (oil) to protect itself. So if you have oily skin and skip moisturiser hoping to reduce shine, you are likely making your skin produce more oil, not less.
The key is choosing the right moisturiser. Heavy, occlusive creams can sit on the surface and clog pores. A lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturiser hydrates without adding heaviness.
The FFS Erase & Rewind Moisturiser is lightweight and absorbs quickly, giving your skin the hydration it needs without the greasy finish. Pair it with the FFS Brighten & Hydrate Serum for an extra layer of hydration and a visible glow boost. Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid working together to brighten skin tone and lock in moisture.
Myth 4: You Should Exfoliate Every Day
The truth: Over-exfoliating is one of the most common causes of irritated, reactive, and sensitised skin.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, which is genuinely beneficial. But your skin has a natural barrier that needs to be intact to function properly. Strip that barrier too often and your skin becomes red, tight, flaky, and more prone to breakouts, not less.
Once or twice a week is enough for most people. That gives you all the benefits of exfoliation without disrupting the skin barrier.
For your body, the FFS Hydrate & Exfoliate Body Bar uses natural coconut husk to gently smooth and unclog without stripping. The FFS Dead Sea Scrub is another option for a deeper exfoliation once a week, particularly effective before shaving to lift hairs and prevent ingrown hairs.
Both are designed to work with your skin barrier, not against it.
Myth 5: Natural Products Are Always Better
The truth: Natural does not automatically mean gentle and synthetic does not automatically mean harmful.
Plenty of natural ingredients are highly irritating. Essential oils, citrus extracts, and certain plant-based acids can cause reactions on sensitive skin. Meanwhile many synthetic ingredients are rigorously tested, stable, and significantly more effective than their natural equivalents.
What actually matters is the formulation, the concentration of active ingredients, how they interact with each other, and whether they suit your skin type. A product with a long ingredient list is not automatically bad. A product with only natural ingredients is not automatically safe.
Read how a product performs on your skin, not just what it says on the label.
Why Getting This Right Matters
Following the wrong advice does not just waste money. It actively makes your skin worse.
Over-exfoliating damages your barrier. Skipping moisturiser increases oiliness. Ignoring SPF accelerates ageing. Using the wrong razor leaves irritation and bumps.
Cutting through the noise and sticking to what actually works is the fastest route to skin you are happy with.
Simple. Consistent. Evidence-based.
Ready to Sort Your Routine?
Better skin does not come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things consistently.
Shop the FFS Razor Starter Kit
FAQs
Does shaving make hair grow back thicker?
No. Shaving cuts the hair at the surface leaving a blunt tip which can feel coarser as it grows back. The actual thickness, colour, and growth rate of your hair does not change. This is a myth that has been repeated for decades without any scientific basis.
Do I need SPF every day in the UK?
Yes, every day without exception. UVA rays that cause skin ageing and long-term damage penetrate cloud cover and glass year-round. They do not disappear in winter or on overcast days. Daily SPF on your face is the most effective anti-ageing step available and one of the most commonly skipped.
Should I moisturise if I have oily skin?
Yes. Dehydrated skin produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture, which makes oiliness worse. The solution is not to skip moisturiser but to use a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that hydrates without adding heaviness or clogging pores.
How often should I exfoliate? Once or twice a week is the right amount for most skin types. More than that risks stripping your skin barrier, which causes redness, sensitivity, and increased breakouts. Your skin needs time to recover between exfoliation sessions.
Are natural skincare products better than synthetic ones?
Not automatically. Natural ingredients can be highly irritating and synthetic ingredients can be safe and effective. What matters is the formulation and how a product performs on your specific skin type. Judge products by results, not by how the ingredients are sourced.
What is the best women's razor in the UK for smooth skin?
One designed specifically for women with sharp precision blades, a conditioning strip to reduce irritation, and a flexible head that works with your body. The FFS razor is Which? Best Buy rated (August 2027), built for women from the ground up, and comes with a refill plan so you always have fresh blades when you need them.
