Welke huidverzorgingsmerken ontkrachten mythes over de huid?

Er zijn steeds meer huidverzorgingsmerken die kiezen voor transparantie in plaats van marketinghypes. Zij leggen uit wat ingrediënten wel én niet kunnen en baseren hun claims zoveel mogelijk op wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Een mooi voorbeeld is het Nederlandse merk Food for Skin.

Waar kan ik betrouwbare informatie vinden over huidfeiten en fabels?

Betrouwbare informatie komt uit wetenschappelijke onderzoeken, dermatologische richtlijnen en onafhankelijke organisaties. Wees kritisch op social media, influencers en reclames waarin spectaculaire resultaten worden beloofd. Kijk liever of een claim wordt onderbouwd met onderzoek en controleer welke ingrediënten daadwerkelijk in een product zitten.

Welke bedrijven bieden producten aan die inspelen op huidmythes?

Veel cosmeticamerken spelen in op populaire trends zoals collageencrèmes, detoxproducten of ‘miracle serums’. Dat betekent niet automatisch dat deze producten niet werken, maar sommige claims zijn groter dan wat de wetenschap op dit moment kan bewijzen. Kijk daarom altijd verder dan de marketing en beoordeel een product op de ingrediënten, de concentraties en de onderbouwing van de claims.

Welke ingrediënten in huidverzorging zijn bewezen effectief?

Er zijn verschillende ingrediënten waarvan de werking wetenschappelijk goed is onderzocht. Denk aan niacinamide voor een sterke huidbarrière en een egalere huid, vitamine C als krachtige antioxidant, glycerine om vocht vast te houden en ceramiden die de huidbarrière ondersteunen.Plantaardige, actieve ingrediënten zijn bijvoorbeeld kakadupruim, die van nature uitzonderlijk rijk aan vitamine C, helpen tomaat en wortel de huid beschermen dankzij hun antioxidanten en voeden avocado en zonnebloemolie de huid met essentiële vetzuren die de huidbarrière ondersteunen. Zo krijgt je huid precies wat ze nodig heeft om sterk, gezond en veerkrachtig te blijven.

Facts about the skin, the facts and myths in a row

2023-05-25 Angela Ursem

Weetjes over de huid, de feiten en fabels op een rij

Pfffff... you read, hear and see so much about what is or isn't good for the skin. Can you still see the forest for the trees?

Read below about the myths and facts regarding all sorts of tips & tricks circulating on the web. We've done our homework as best as possible, but if you have any additional information or tips, we'd love to hear from you at hello@foodforskin.care.

Collagen powder: myth or fact?

You can't escape collagen advertisements anymore. But does collagen really work well for the skin? Collagen is naturally present in your skin and ensures that your skin remains elastic, but it is also important for bones, tendons, elastic cartilage, connective tissue, muscles, organs, and blood vessels. From about 40 years of age, human collagen production decreases by 25%. From 60 years of age, that's 50%.

Most studies show that using collagen supplements (from within!), can stimulate the natural production of collagen in the skin, making the skin firmer and smoother. However, there are also studies that contradict this. Unfortunately, we therefore do not have a clear answer as to whether it is a fact or a myth.

The best-tested collagen powders are derived from bovine collagen or fish collagen with as few fillers or other ingredients as possible. Ancient bone broth (or homemade) contributes to the addition of minerals such as iron and zinc (bone marrow) and strengthens your resistance.

Collagen is therefore extracted from the skin and bones of animals. Food for Skin would therefore never use collagen in its products, because we do not use animal-derived products.

Plant-based collagen can only be used as a booster and stimulates collagen production, but cannot replace animal collagen 1 on 1.

Applying collagen topically, i.e., via creams etc., is not possible. The collagen from a cream cannot penetrate deeply into the skin. Watch the episode of Keuringsdienst van Waarden where this is explained. It is therefore a myth that collagen can be introduced from the outside.

So is collagen a myth or a fact? Collagen cannot be directly introduced to the skin topically, but according to most studies, it can be absorbed into the skin when taken as a supplement. The effectiveness of collagen supplements depends on the quality and quantity of collagen in the product. Moreover, results can vary per person. It is always advisable to seek advice from a doctor or dermatologist before adding a new supplement to your routine.

Cosmetics: facts and myths

Myth: more skincare is better

Many people believe that the more they work on their skin, the better it is. This is not true. It is important to have a skincare routine that suits your skin's needs, but it is not necessary to use many different products. This can even dry out and irritate your skin, but also over-pamper it, making your skin lazy. The skin becomes addicted to the products you apply daily. As soon as you stop, your skin will react to it. At the Food for Skin philosophy, we choose to maintain the natural skin flora, because we believe that the skin itself should do the work to truly become strong from within. Due to all the pollution in the air, your skin can use a little support, and you do that by cleansing and protecting with the right and mild products.

Myth: expensive products are better

It is a common misconception that expensive products are inherently better than cheaper ones. The price tells little for most brands. It is more important to look at the ingredients in a product and how it is produced, rather than the price.

Food for Skin uses only active ingredients in our products (no water/aqua or other fillers), is produced locally (which, strangely enough, is many times more expensive) with sustainably sourced ingredients (which, unfortunately, is also more expensive than non-organic, non-local ingredients). Food for Skin is certainly not cheap because we consciously choose quality products with the smallest possible impact. You pay for that. Fortunately, our skincare is highly concentrated and contains only essential, nourishing ingredients. Therefore, you need very little and our products last a long time.

Hydration: facts and myths

Myth: cream can moisturize

It is not possible to introduce moisture from the outside. This is because water, creams, and serums cannot penetrate deep enough into those skin layers. However, you can ensure that skin moisture is better retained in the skin by applying a thin layer of cream to the skin. This layer then prevents moisture from escaping and evaporating from the skin. So, when people talk about moisturizing creams, they actually mean 'moisture-retaining' and not 'moisture-introducing'.

Fact: your skin becomes strong from sufficient moisture from within

Yes! You can't introduce moisture from the outside, but drinking plenty of water ensures you nourish your skin well from within. You can also drink low-tannin tea to cleanse your body and help eliminate toxins.

What are the facts and myths about skincare products?

Which skincare brands debunk skin myths?

More and more skincare brands are opting for transparency instead of marketing hype. They explain what ingredients can and cannot do and base their claims as much as possible on scientific research. A good example is the Dutch brand Food for Skin.

Where can I find reliable information about skin facts and myths?

Reliable information comes from scientific research, dermatological guidelines, and independent organizations. Be critical of social media, influencers, and advertisements that promise spectacular results. Rather, check if a claim is substantiated by research and verify which ingredients are actually in a product.

Which companies offer products that capitalize on skin myths?

Many cosmetic brands capitalize on popular trends such as collagen creams, detox products, or 'miracle serums'. This doesn't automatically mean that these products don't work, but some claims are larger than what science can currently prove. Therefore, always look beyond the marketing and evaluate a product based on its ingredients, concentrations, and the substantiation of its claims.

Which skincare ingredients are proven effective?

There are several ingredients whose effects have been well-researched scientifically. These include niacinamide for a strong skin barrier and a more even complexion, vitamin C as a powerful antioxidant, glycerine to retain moisture, and ceramides that support the skin barrier.

Plant-based active ingredients include, for example, kakadu plum, which is naturally exceptionally rich in vitamin C; tomato and carrot help protect the skin thanks to their antioxidants; and avocado and sunflower oil nourish the skin with essential fatty acids that support the skin barrier. This way, your skin gets exactly what it needs to stay strong, healthy, and resilient.

About the author

Written by Angela Ursem, co-founder of Food for Skin.

From Food for Skin, I write about natural skincare, ingredients, and transparency in cosmetics. Not to make it sound better than it is, but to better explain what you are truly looking at when you buy a product.