Taking care of your skin is the most important thing you can do to ensure you always look your best, but are you doing it correctly? We're busting the five biggest myths about skin care in our latest edition of the B101.7 Beauty Report!

Meet Rachael, one of Gilda's skin care gurus; she's hanging out by some of the incredible line of Cosmedix products you can purchase at their Tuscaloosa location. (Meg Summers/TSM)
Meet Rachael, one of Gilda's skin care gurus; she's hanging out by some of the incredible line of Cosmedix products you can purchase at their Tuscaloosa location. (Meg Summers/TSM)
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I stopped by Gilda's Salon & Day Spa in Tuscaloosa yesterday to chat with Rachael, one of Gilda's trained aestheticians, about some of the biggest goofs we're all making when it comes to taking care of our skin. A minor mistake is nothing here and there, but these errors add up over time and can result in major damage--think sun spots, wrinkles, or worse.

Watch the video above to hear Rachael debunk the five biggest skin care myths--and read more about each one below.

You Don't Need Sunscreen on a Cloudy Day

That's a big NOPE on this one, y'all. You need sunscreen all day every day, regardless of the weather. True story: I got THE WORST sunburn of my life on a cloudy day.

If You're Wearing Makeup, You Don't Need to Wear Sunscreen

Again, NOPE. You need a broad-spectrum SPF every day to prevent sun damage. As Rachael points out in the video, you'd have to wear an obscene amount of makeup to get as much protection as you would from a good sunscreen. Sure, a good deal of foundations and BB creams have a little SPF in the mix, but you need an SPF of 30 or more to prevent damage to your skin.

Using a Tanning Bed Can 'Dry Out' Acne

NEGATIVE: no matter how long you tan you're not going to 'dry out' acne. You're only going to damage your skin through extra UV ray exposure. The best way to get rid of acne is to find the skin care regimen that works for you. If you don't know where to start, just give Rachael a call. Schedule a facial and consultation and discover which products can get you looking your best.

Gilda's carries an incredible line of advanced skin care products from Cosmedix; it's the most effective correctives available. (Meg Summers/TSM)
Gilda's carries an incredible line of advanced skin care products from Cosmedix; it's the most effective correctives available. (Meg Summers/TSM)
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All Sunscreens Are Created Equal

NO; THEY ARE NOT. As Rachael said, your sunscreen needs to contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Check the label. You can find great sunscreens at your fave drugstore, but be sure you're getting the maximum benefit by looking for those two skin-protecting powerhouses.

You Need to Wear a Moisturizer Everyday

NO. I did not know this. I consider myself to be pretty informed when it comes to skin care and beauty, but I am not a professional. Rachael is. You need to HYDRATE your skin, but that doesn't mean you need to slather on a thick moisturizer on the reg. When she said this, a little light bulb went off in my head--I have a T-Zone oilier than Paula Deen's kitchen counter so NO WONDER my skin still feels oily and gross; I'm adding more moisture than I need. Hydrators are different than moisturizers--they're more tailored to oily and combination skin.

Here are some of the powerhouse products Rachael recommends in the vid: Reflect (sunscreen), Clear (clarifying treatment), and Mystic (hydrator). (Meg Summers/TSM)
Here are some of the powerhouse products Rachael recommends in the vid: Reflect (sunscreen), Clear (clarifying treatment), and Mystic (hydrator). (Meg Summers/TSM)
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I learned so much from my visit with Rachael. I've always known sunscreen was important, but now I know WHY--and to check the label of my current SPF to make sure it's working. I'm also breaking up with my heavy moisturizer and saying hello to a hydrator.

To learn more about which skin care products can work for you, give Gilda's Salon & Day Spa a call. Their aestheticians Racheal and Brandi can get you scheduled for a facial and a consultation. You're seriously like one appointment away from better skin, so check it out!

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