Skin Care Beauty Myths Debunked

By Julyne Derrick, About.com

Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

One of the biggest beauty myths is that chocolate (and fried foods) can cause acne. Extensive research shows this is simply not true. A poor diet, however, can exacerbate acne. So if you already have a pimple problem, try to maintain a healthy diet.

Hormones, overactive oil glands, heredity and dead skin cells that lodge in skin pores are what cause acne, according to the Acne Resource Center.

Myth or Fact: Are Organic or Natural Products Better for Skin?

Not always. While organic foods are good for your body, there isn’t sufficient evidence that organic beauty products are better for your skin. In fact, many organic skin care products have a short shelf life and can harm skin if the product is expired. Other organic products are made from fruits which can irritate skin, other products can cause allergies.

The industry isn’t properly regulated yet, so read the labels carefully. A bottle marked “organic” must contain 95 percent organic ingredients, but those marked “natural” or “made with organic ingredients” may still contain the bad stuff. Do your research and find the companies that really do an amazing job of making products that are truly eco-friendly.

Should Concealer Be Lighter Than Your Skin Tone?

Don’t buy concealer that’s a shade or two lighter than your skin tone or you may end up resembling a raccoon. To properly conceal dark circles, pick a concealer that’s yellow-based.

Can You Use a Body Lotion on Your Face?

While you can use a facial moisturizer on your body, you shouldn’t use a body lotion on your face, unless you need it in a pinch and all you have in the house is body lotion.

Lotion formulated for the body can be drying or can irritate the more sensitive skin on your face. Your body’s skin is thicker and tougher than the skin on your face so companies can get away with putting fragrances and cheaper ingredients in a body lotion.

Is It Unsanitary to Use His Razor?

You’re out of deodorant, is it bad to use his? And is it unsanitary to use a guy’s razor? If you asked my Cousin Cat, the answer would be yes. She read somewhere that it’s unsanitary to share razors and deoderant. But the fact is you can go ahead and raid his bathroom cabinet if you’re in a pinch.

Antiperspirants and deodorants contain the same ingredients for both men and women, the difference is in the fragrance. If you don’t mind smelling like a pine tree, then swipe away.

As for his used razor, it’s generally better to use your own because a dull razor can cause nicks. In a pinch, go ahead and borrow his razor, it’s not going to give you a disease (sorry Cousin Cat).

Other things to consider about his products: women’s shaving creams tend to be heavier, but there’s no reason not to use a guy’s cheaper shaving cream to shave your legs. As for cleansers formulated for him? These are OK for you, but many are created to prepare skin for shaving and these ingredients could dry out your skin.

Now should you use his toothbrush in a pinch? Well, I’ll leave that decision up to you. You do kiss the guy, after all.

Myth or Fact? Best Way to Spritz Perfume: Spray First, Then Walk Into the Mist

This is actually NOT the best way to apply perfume. Walking into the mist means I’m coating my clothes with fragrance and not me, plus, the perfume can stain fabric. Since fragrance is formulated to work with the heat of your body, it’s best to apply perfume to pulse points — wrists, back of the knees, the base of the throat and just behind the earlobes.

Extra tip: Don’t rub wrists together, this can break down the molecular structure of perfume.

Myth or Fact? Never, Ever Tweeze Above the Brow

I can’t stand this beauty myth because all over the world women are walking around with messy brows because they read somewhere one should never, ever tweeze above the brow. Please, pluck below and above. Clean up the unrulies between the brows as well. Better yet, pay a professional to tweeze, wax or thread your brows then use the “map” they set to upkeep your brows for a few weeks before heading back.

Can You Prevent Stretch Marks With Lotion?

Not really. Although I have spoken to many women who swear by particular lotions or oils to prevent stretch marks, but the truth is stretch marks are caused by weight gain or weight loss.

Some women don’t get stretch marks because their skin reacts well to expansion. Others get stretch marks because genetically, their skin does not. If your mother has stretch marks from pregnancies or you have stretch marks from your growth period in your youth, then it’s likely you’ll get them from pregnancy no matter how much oil or lotion you rub every day on your belly. Thanks Mom.

Lotions do decrease itchiness that comes from rapid skin expansion, so go ahead and rub it on your belly if it makes you feel good.