I hear a lot of people say, “My skin can’t breathe,” or after removing a heavy cream or foundation, “Now my skin can breathe.” Well, the truth is your skin doesn’t breathe. Not externally, anyway. Your skin is nourished from the oxygen and nutrients carried in the blood. No measurable amount of oxygen is absorbed from the outside air. Your outer skin does eliminate toxins, sweat, and oil and absorbs moisture from the air.When you put a heavy cream or foundation on for instance, your skin is less able to function properly. You might mistakenly say it “can’t breathe.” These occlusive coverings (foundations and heavy creams) can inhibit elimination and absorption, but not the actual oxygen nourishing the skin. Now you know—skin does not breathe.
For more MYTHS in this series, see:
- Enlarged Pores: Can they shrink?
- Facial exercises help reduce wrinkles and/or firm the skin
- Facials make your skin break out
