Dewy skin & skin barrier health: 6 skincare myths vs. facts

With autumn looking closer on the horizon, skin may still carry summer’s gift: a soft radiance, courtesy of more time in the sun, fresh air and rest. Yet beneath that glow, weeks of sun exposure, swimming, travel, heat, air conditioning and frequent bathing can leave skin feeling drier, tight, less resilient and more vulnerable to environmental stress. September is therefore a natural moment to shift. After weeks of indulgence and a more carefree approach to our routines, it’s time to restore what summer may have depleted most: moisture and balance.

With so much information surrounding skincare, hydration, glow and exfoliation, it can be difficult to distinguish what skin truly needs. In true SCENTIANA fashion, we want to keep things simple while staying close to the facts. So, we’re looking at six common late-summer skincare myths, and the facts behind them.

Myth 1: If skin looks dewy, it must be healthy and well hydrated.

Fact: Not necessarily.

A dewy finish can be beautiful, but it isn't necessarily an indication of how healthy or well hydrated the skin is. Skincare, oils and surface moisture can all create luminosity, while trends such as “glass skin” and “slugging” can make the distinction even harder to see. Radiance is lovely, but healthy-looking skin starts with hydration and a well-supported skin barrier. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin help attract and bind water, while nourishing oils and lipids help support the skin barrier and its ability to retain moisture.

Myth 2: Misting your skin makes it drier.

Fact: It depends on what you're misting with.

Plain water can evaporate from the skin's surface, sometimes leaving it feeling tight. A well-formulated mist is different and will add a first layer of hydration. What matters is what accompanies the water. As mentioned above, humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help attract and bind water, while botanical extracts help condition and comfort the skin instantly. This is the principle behind Reviving Face & Body Mist. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and other water-binding ingredients help replenish and maintain hydration, while mineral-rich algae, toning damask rose, and brightening wild indigo extracts further complement the formula with conditioning and protective properties. This is why we call it  our “serum-in-a-mist”.

Myth 3: Oily skin doesn't need moisturiser.

Fact: Oil and hydration are not the same thing.

Skin can feel oily while still lacking water. Stripping it in an attempt to control excess oil can disrupt its balance and leave it feeling tight or uncomfortable. Rather than removing more, the focus should be on giving the skin what it needs: hydration, nourishment and a healthy barrier. For the body, Replenishing Body Cream combines hyaluronic acid with argan oil and shea butter to replenish moisture while supporting the skin's natural lipid barrier. Its light, silky texture makes it an easy layer as we move from summer into the changing season.

Myth 4: You don't need body oil in warm weather.

Fact: Skin can still benefit from nourishing lipids.

Warm weather doesn't mean skin stops needing nourishment. Sun exposure, salt water, chlorine, air conditioning and frequent showers can all disrupt the skin. A body oil complements hydration by adding a nourishing layer to the skin. Applied to slightly damp skin or after moisturiser, it helps keep skin feeling soft and conditioned while giving it a naturally luminous finish. Sensual Body Oil combines lightweight sunflower seed and rosehip oils, rich in nourishing fatty acids and antioxidants to leave skin supple and enhance skin barrier repair. Lactic acid provides gentle exfoliation while helping smooth dry, uneven areas, making the skin feel silky without heaviness. 

Myth 5: More exfoliation means more glow.

Fact: A smoother surface doesn't require aggressive exfoliation.

Exfoliation helps remove accumulated dead skin cells, revealing skin that feels softer, and smoother. But more isn't necessarily better. Over-exfoliation may leave skin feeling dry and sensitive. At the end of summer, refinement is key. A gentle body scrub will lift away surface build-up, leaving skin smooth and ready for the nourishing layers that follow. Silkening Body Scrub takes a considered approach to body exfoliation, with a buttery-smooth texture that glides over the skin without the harsh, gritty feel of traditional scrubs, and a formula with a barrier-replenishing lipid complex.

Myth 6: You need a complicated routine to maintain your summer glow.

Fact: A few thoughtful steps can be enough.

During late summer, skin needs balance. To achieve this, we go back to the fundamentals: Refresh. Replenish. Seal.                                                                                                    Begin with Reviving Face & Body Mist to restore a veil of hydration. Follow with Replenishing Body Cream for moisture and lightweight nourishment. When skin calls for something richer, finish with Sensual Body Oil to seal it all in and leave skin with a luminous sheen. It truly comes down to understanding what your skin needs and finding the right equilibrium of hydration, nourishment and care. That’s the foundation for an effective routine. Refresh with hydration. Replenish with nourishing lipids. Exfoliate thoughtfully. And give the skin time to find its balance and rhythm again. Dewiness is a beautiful finish, but it isn't the goal. Healthy skin starts with skin that feels supple and hydrated. 

If glowing skin is part of your everyday ritual, discover more ways to care for your skin from the inside out in our journal, “The blueprint for glowing skin all year long”.