While we all strive to have perfect, glowing, youthful skin, many of us rush to the store to buy every product on the shelf that promises to ‘erase spots, remove wrinkles, clear skin’ and so much more. The fact is, most of these products don’t do any of that. Sadly, we believe in quite a few beauty myths.
But beauty myths aren’t just for skin. Here are a few more that have been passed down from great grandma that we’re going to bust right now.
Crossing Your Legs Can Cause Varicose Veins
On the contrary, standing for hours can cause these unsightly veins. When you stand, it takes a lot of work for your blood to rise from your legs to your heart. This is why unsightly veins occur, with a pool of blood collecting in one or more places. Your genes also play a huge role in whether or not you have varicose veins.
Crossing your legs may temporarily impede blood flow, but it is not a direct cause of varicose veins. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and moving around regularly can help prevent these veins from forming.
Soap is Harsh on Your Skin
Perhaps you’re thinking of your grandma’s soap. Older soaps contained animal fats and vegetable oils. The newer versions are milder and come with moisturizers that are gentle on your skin. Finding all-natural and even vegan soaps is fairly simple these days.
Besides, it’s better to have clean skin than dirty skin. Just be sure to choose a soap that suits your skin type and doesn’t strip away its natural oils.
You Can Lose All That Cellulite
How you wish this were true… but even liposuction can’t simply get rid of all that cellulite. Know that these are deposits trapped between the fibrous bands connecting your skin tissues. These bands can squeeze the fats under your skin, causing a lumpy appearance, whether you are fat or thin.
You can use firming creams and moisturizers to temporarily hide these swellings or use fake tan to camouflage those orange peels. However, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can help improve the overall appearance of your skin.
Plucking Gray Hair Means Having More Gray Hairs
Not really! Plucking gray hair doesn’t mean you’ll have more grays. However, doing so may damage your roots, which is not ideal. What happens when we pluck grey hair from our heads is that the new hair that grows through that follicle will still be grey because only one hair shaft grows out of each follicle.
But who are we to stop you from plucking that long coarse gray hair? Just know that embracing your grays can be a sign of confidence and natural beauty.
You Can Minimize Pores
The ever-popular pore minimizer has invaded the cosmetics counter for decades, but do they work? If you think you can reduce your pores, think again! Pore size is determined by genetics.
All those products promising to minimize pores will only temporarily make them appear smaller. Instead, focus on keeping your pores clean and unclogged through regular cleansing and exfoliation.
Shaving Hair Makes It Grow Darker and Thicker
Your genes determine how much hair your body has, whether you shave or not. Shaving your hair can make new hair growth appear stubbier, as you need to cut the hair from the base. But the width, color, and density of your hair will remain the same.
If you prefer smooth, hairless skin, don’t let this myth stop you from shaving or trying other hair removal methods. Waxing is also a great way to remove unwanted hair.
Washing and Sun Exposure Can Get Rid of Blemishes
Staying clean is the best way to have healthy skin, but if you wash or scrub vigorously, you might increase your face’s oil production and worsen your acne condition. Though the sun can help dry out pimples, it’s only a temporary effect.
Exposure to the sun can cause more breakouts. Instead, focus on using gentle cleansers and spot treatments to target blemishes without irritating your skin. And remember to wash your face gently—no scrubbing.
You Can Skip Sunscreen on a Cloudy Day
UV rays are invisible to the naked eye, and you can still get those harmful rays even on a cloudy day. You should never skip sunscreen or forget to wear a hat or sunglasses to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, even on cloudy days.
If you have extra sensitive skin, sunscreen is a must, no matter what the forecast says. Make sure to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for optimal protection.
You Can Reverse Split Ends
Anti-frizz hair products may tame your hair and make those split ends less noticeable, but the only way to get rid of them for good is to cut them off. It’s important to know what causes split ends and try to minimize the culprits.
Believe your hairdresser when she tells you it’s time to cut all those dry ends off. There’s a good reason. Regular trims and using heat protectants can help prevent split ends from forming.
Cocoa Butter and Olive Oil are Great for Stretch Marks
Not really! Stretch marks occur when your skin expands quickly (e.g., during pregnancy), and sadly, these marks are formed below the top layer of your skin, which topical butter/oil can’t reach.
While these products can help keep your skin moisturized and supple, they won’t eliminate existing stretch marks. Embracing your tiger stripes is a sign of self-love and acceptance.
Concealer is for Blemishes
Concealer is designed to lighten dark undereye circles and is not meant for blemishes. Since it is one or two shades lighter than your skin tone, it can actually draw attention to the blemish.
The best way to hide blemishes is to spot-apply a foundation stick or cover-up that exactly matches your skin tone. Less is more when it comes to concealing blemishes.
Oily Skin Doesn’t Need a Moisturizer
Even oily skin needs moisture. When skin isn’t well moisturized, it looks dull, tired, and older than it is. Look for an oil-free moisturizer that isn’t greasy and won’t clog pores. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, regardless of your skin type.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, the first thing people see. You can pamper your skin with natural skincare products that cleanse and nourish your skin. You can also use non-toxic personal care products to stay away from harmful chemicals. To put it simply: Love your skin!
Drinking Water Doesn’t Affect Your Skin
You may think that chugging water hydrates skin, making it glow. But water doesn’t directly moisturize skin, even if it’s healthy overall. Your skin soaks up dampness from humidity, oils it makes, and creams you apply. So drink up for health, but don’t expect miracles for dry, dull skin.
While water is great for flushing toxins and delivering nutrients, your complexion won’t dramatically change with more H2O. Focus on topical skincare instead if you want hydrated, dewy skin.
You Need to Spend a fortune on skincare products
Row after row of posh potions can make you think healthy, radiant skin costs a bundle. Not so! Many budget beauty buys work wonders, too. Pay attention to ingredients and how your unique skin reacts, not hype. Drugstore finds often outshine pricy brand names.
Don’t waste money on fancy creams claiming miracles; a basic moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid can hydrate just as well for a fraction of the cost. Judge products by their formulas, not price tags.
Natural skincare products are always better
Natural can mean gentler, but it’s not a cure-all. Some plant extracts irritate sensitive skin, while some lab-made components, like hyaluronic acid, hydrate beautifully. Choose what nourishes your skin type without reactions. Always patch test first, no matter the source.
What matters most is how the ingredients work for you. While nature provides wonderful skin-soothing options, not every plant extract is right for every person. An avocado mask may nourish dry skin but cause breakouts on oily skin.
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