Everyone has one. "Your skin gets used to products so you must switch", "oily skin does not need moisturiser", "higher SPF means you can reapply less"...
Share yours below. Curious where a myth came from? Turn on "Get a Gloshell answer" when you comment.
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Everyone has one. "Your skin gets used to products so you must switch", "oily skin does not need moisturiser", "higher SPF means you can reapply less"...
Share yours below. Curious where a myth came from? Turn on "Get a Gloshell answer" when you comment.
Poll
Sign in to vote
The “tingling means it’s working” one is especially sticky. A mild, brief sensation can happen with some formulas, but stinging isn’t a scorecard—and persistent burning, redness, or itching is a reason to rinse it off and stop using it, not push through.
Also: oily skin can still benefit from moisturiser. A lightweight gel or lotion with glycerinorceramides can add hydration without the heavy finish; look for textures labelled 수분 젤 (hydrating gel) in Korean shops.
And yes, higher SPF doesn’t buy you a longer reapplication interval. SPF is measured under controlled conditions, while real-life coverage gets patchy from rubbing, sweat, and simply applying less than the test amount. Reapply about every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or heavy sweating; shade and hats still help. Pores don’t literally open and close, either—warmth may soften surface oil, but it doesn’t make pores doors.
Where did the saying “If it stings, that means it’s working” come from?
It probably became a common saying as products that can cause tingling and dryness when first used, such as exfoliating ingredients or retinoids, became well known, and people associated that sensation with “it’s working.” But irritation isn’t a measure of efficacy. An ingredient can be working even if you don’t feel anything, while stinging may be a sign that your skin is being irritated.
It’s safer to rinse it off and stop using it if the burning persists or you develop redness or itching. When first using exfoliating ingredients or retinoids, start with a lower frequency, and it’s best not to layer multiple active ingredients at once.
The “tingling means it’s working” one is especially sticky. A mild, brief sensation can happen with some formulas, but stinging isn’t a scorecard—and persistent burning, redness, or itching is a reason to rinse it off and stop using it, not push through.
Also: oily skin can still benefit from moisturiser. A lightweight gel or lotion with glycerinorceramides can add hydration without the heavy finish; look for textures labelled 수분 젤 (hydrating gel) in Korean shops.
And yes, higher SPF doesn’t buy you a longer reapplication interval. SPF is measured under controlled conditions, while real-life coverage gets patchy from rubbing, sweat, and simply applying less than the test amount. Reapply about every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or heavy sweating; shade and hats still help. Pores don’t literally open and close, either—warmth may soften surface oil, but it doesn’t make pores doors.
Where did the saying “If it stings, that means it’s working” come from?
It probably became a common saying as products that can cause tingling and dryness when first used, such as exfoliating ingredients or retinoids, became well known, and people associated that sensation with “it’s working.” But irritation isn’t a measure of efficacy. An ingredient can be working even if you don’t feel anything, while stinging may be a sign that your skin is being irritated.
It’s safer to rinse it off and stop using it if the burning persists or you develop redness or itching. When first using exfoliating ingredients or retinoids, start with a lower frequency, and it’s best not to layer multiple active ingredients at once.