Spoiler alert: Coconut oil is not a cure-all.
Let me start by saying—bless everyone trying their best to take care of their skin. Truly. But as a wound and ostomy nurse with 22 years of clinical experience (and a slight addiction to skincare aisles), I’ve heard some myths that make me want to scream into a collagen peptide smoothie.
So today, I’m busting open the bandages and spilling the tea (green, of course) on the skincare myths that make my medically-trained eye twitch.
🔥 Myth #1: “If it burns, it means it’s working.”
As a wound nurse? HARD NO.
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong—not that your product is super effective. If your skincare burns, it might be doing more harm than good. Red, irritated skin = barrier damage, not #glowgoals.
💡 Nurse Tip: A healthy skin barrier = less inflammation, better healing, and fewer surprise breakouts.
🥥 Myth #2: “Coconut oil fixes everything.”
Yes, it smells like a tropical vacation. No, it should not be your go-to for every skin issue—especially on the face or wounds. Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and trap bacteria. Not ideal for healing, acne, or sensitive skin.
I wouldn’t put it on a wound. I’m not putting it on my pores either.
💧 Myth #3: “I don’t need moisturizer if I have oily skin.”
Wrong. Dead wrong.
Your skin might be overproducing oil because it’s dehydrated. Skipping moisturizer can make oiliness worse. Think of moisturizer as hydration, not grease.
💦 Even wounds need the right moisture balance to heal. Your skin’s the same.
🚿 Myth #4: “Hot water opens your pores.”
As someone who spends their days managing skin integrity, let me say this clearly: Pores don’t have doors.
Hot water can irritate and strip your skin, leading to dryness and redness—especially in your 40s when our skin’s natural oils need all the support they can get.
Warm water = kind. Scalding showers = a crime against your collagen.
☀️ Myth #5: “You don’t need sunscreen if it’s cloudy or you’re inside.”
As a nurse who’s seen skin tears, burns, and age-related fragility up close—sun protection is non-negotiable.
UVA rays (aka aging rays) penetrate clouds and glass. Every. Single. Day.
Wearing SPF indoors is like washing your hands after using gloves. You’re covering all your bases.
🧴 Myth #6: “Natural = better.”
Arsenic is natural. So is poison ivy.
Not all “chemical” ingredients are bad, and not all “natural” ones are safe. Let science and your skin’s needs guide you—not fear-based marketing.
As a wound nurse, I trust evidence-based products. Your skin deserves the same.
💊 Myth #7: “You can heal your skin without thinking about your gut.”
Okay, now I’m yelling.
The gut-skin connection is real. Inflammation, nutrient absorption, microbiome imbalance—all of it affects your skin’s health and healing power.
You want clear, calm skin? Start with what you put in your mouth, not just on your face.
👩⚕️ Real Talk from a Nurse in Her 40s:
I’ve cleaned wounds on frail skin, helped ostomy patients protect delicate peristomal tissue, and counseled people through rashes, reactions, and breakdowns (emotional and epidermal). Trust me—your skin is smart. Respect its signals, support its barrier, and don’t fall for viral fads.
Also—please stop putting toothpaste on pimples.
✨ Final Thought:
You don’t need 12 steps or snake oil. What you need is science, consistency, and a little nursing wisdom. Skincare is health care—and when you know better, you glow better.
