Beauty Myths : That Deserve to Die

We are all so-called experts on skin care. After all, great aunt Mary Ellen’s best friend’s mother swore by smearing globs and globs of Vaseline on her face each and every night. And her skin was weathered like a piece of leather perfect, so it must be true. Come close and let me share a secret. Would you believe me if I told you that not everything you hear or read is true? (Which might lead one to argue that that statement could therefore be false, which would negate this entire post … ouch I think I just pulled a muscle in my brain.)

Here are some common myths and what I found out about each.

Myth: Preparation H Reduces Eye Puffiness
Yeah okay. No. In fact, using Preparation H around the eyes can cause dry and inflamed skin. Therefore, you’ll just end up with dry, inflamed, greasy eyes. You’re better off just saving it for your nether region.

Myth: Your Skin Pores Open and Close
A pore is not a door or window—they can not open and close. However, if something is built up in the pore (ie. dead skin cells) the pores can appear enlarged. Go ahead and exfoliate in order to remove that gunk stuff.

Myth: Cucumber Reduces Eye Puffiness
The cucumber itself does not reduce puffiness. But consider this, have you ever heard of someone being referred to as hot as a cucumber? No, it’s cool as a cucumber. Cucumbers are able to stay cold for long periods of time outside of a refrigerator. That cold is what actually reduces puffiness (it causes blood vessels around our eyes to contract, thereby reducing swelling). That being said, you could lay a dirty sock over your eyes and it could help. As long as it is cold.

Myth: Soap Is Bad for Your Skin
When soaps contained lye and animal fat, this was true. But newer soaps are less harsh and have good stuff like moisturizers.

Myth: Vaseline on Your Face Every Night Will Prevent Wrinkles?Petroleum can make wrinkles less apparent by softening lines, but it can’t prevent aging.

 

Myth: Never Pluck a Gray Hair; Ten More Will Grow in Its PlaceAnswer me this: If you grow some carrots and pull them up out of the ground, will a bunch more pop up in its place? It’s just not possible.

Myth: Alcohol-Free Is Better
Not all alcohols are drying alcohols. There are also fatty-alcohols. Fatty = emollient. Emollient = softer skin. (Examples of fatty alcohols would be cetyl-alcohol, benzyl-alcohol and oleyl-alcohol.) 

Myth: Cutting Your Hair and Eyelashes Once a Week Will Make Them Grow Longer
We’ll believe just about anything, won’t we? Try this one out and you’ll just end up bald.