If you're new to producing too, you will find little techniques that work well and make a cool sound, but it is easy to fall into reusing that same technique with other sounds and finding it don't sound as well. The odd loop is fine imo, but consecutive use doesn't push you as a producer.

IMO, there's no such thing as "cheating" because it's all about making something that speaks with your own unique voice. People that exclusively use sample packs/loops and just press play are never going to have any real success or artistic satisfaction because they are not going beyond the tools they use.