In Conversation With CREAM Skin Studio Founder and Master Aesthetician, Marily Salls
Looking to boost your beauty and self-care routine with results-driven treatments and at-home regiments? CREAM Skin Studio has you covered. The Tysons Corner-based medical skin studio, which specializes in facials, chemical peels, and microneedling, prides itself on curating and tailoring solutions for every complexion concern under the sun.
“Every skincare regimen and treatment plan—whether in person or online—is personalized to give you healthy, long-term skin results,” says master aesthetician and CREAM Skin Studio founder, Marily Salls. “But it’s more than just skincare—we’re deeply committed to the long-term relationships we build along the way.”
To Marily, part of treating clients like family is being transparent about skincare facts and myths. Ahead, explore the top seven skincare myths debunked by CREAM Skin Studio
Myth: You don’t need to cleanse in the morning.
Your PM regimen often includes active ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, or BHAs—these chemical exfoliants work overnight to boost cell turnover and renew the skin. In the process, your skin pushes up impurities, oils, and product residue that need to be gently cleansed away in order to prevent potential breakouts and for your AM products to work more effectively.
Myth: You can’t use retinol if you have sensitive skin.
Everyone can benefit from a retinoid—even the most sensitive skin. These products work to strengthen the skin barrier over time, leading to healthier, more resilient skin. When it comes to sensitive skin, it’s all about choosing the right type, strength, and delivery system. Time-released formulas tend to be gentler, as they’re designed to minimize irritation while still delivering results.
Myth: You should skip moisturizer if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
All skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, should moisturize at least once a day. Skipping moisturizer can lead to dehydration, which often triggers excess oil production, clogged pores, and more breakouts. A properly hydrated skin barrier is essential for keeping the skin balanced, clear, and healthy. The trick is to pick a moisturizer meant for your skin type. For oily and acne-prone skin, the focus should be on lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that deliver hydration without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol (Provitamin B5), and aloe vera.
Myth: If your foundation has SPF, you’re covered.
Makeup with SPF isn’t enough on its own. To get the full level of protection listed on the label, you’d have to apply a much larger amount than most people typically wear. A dedicated SPF ensures your skin is truly protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to premature aging, pigmentation, and skin cancer.
Myth: I have sensitive skin because I react to everything.
There’s a difference between sensitive and reactive skin, and understanding that difference is key to treating them effectively. Sensitive skin is a skin type. It’s naturally more delicate, often thinner, and tends to be more prone to redness, dryness, or discomfort. This type of skin is typically genetically predisposed and requires consistent, gentle care to keep it calm and balanced. Reactive skin, on the other hand, is not a skin type—it’s a temporary condition or response. It can be triggered by things like harsh products, over-exfoliation, weather changes, hormonal fluctuations, or stress. When the skin’s barrier is compromised, it becomes reactive, leading to inflammation, redness, burning, or breakouts.
The biggest difference is that sensitivity is ongoing and needs to be managed long-term, while reactivity can be treated and improved once the trigger is removed and the barrier is restored. Knowing which one you’re dealing with helps determine the right products, ingredients, and treatment plan to support healing and maintain a healthy skin barrier.
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