Beauty "Myths" That Are Actually True

#1

Most of the time, old school beauty myths end up being scientifically debunked as little more than old wives’ tales. Things like not shaving above the knee, doing moonlight bathing, and getting a “starter tan” have all been proven to be false as the scientific community investigated it further. Despite most ancient beauty tips being junk, some have managed to withstand the test of time. According to scientists, these beauty "myths" aren’t myths at all - they’re 100% true!

#2 Certain foods cause acne.

A diet full of greasy foods and chocolate, long regarded as "acne-causing foods," isn’t good for your body—but they don't necessarily mess with your skin. The truth is, there isn't a definitive list of foods proven to cause acne. But because everyone's body reacts differently to different foods, something you're eating could be to blame for your breakouts. Keep track of your diet, and take note when you eat something that causes pimples or irritation—you might begin to notice a pattern.

#3 Certain Sustenance’s May Bring About Skin Break Out Or Aggravate It.

An eating regimen brimming with oily nourishments and chocolate, since quite a while ago viewed as "skin inflammation bringing about sustenance’s," isn't useful for your body, yet they aren't to be faulted for an increment in breakouts. The fact of the matter is, there isn't a conclusive rundown of sustenance’s demonstrated to bring about skin inflammation, but since every body responds diversely to parts of nourishment, something you're eating could be at fault for your breakouts. Stay informed concerning your eating regimen, and observes when you eat something that causes pimples or disturbance—you may start to notice an example of Beauty Myths.

#4 You need to use a toner.

Dermatologists used to tell patients that toners were unnecessary or even damaging. But as the products on the market evolved, so has the expert advice, and more derms are now giving toners the thumbs-up. “While toners used to be alcohol-laden liquids designed to remove excess oil in people with oily and acne-prone skin, they now address a variety of skin types and issues,” explains Arielle Kauvar, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine.

Using a toner primes skin for anti-aging treatments and serums that follow, so you’ll get more out of your skin-care routine. The key is to pick the right one for your skin. If you're in need of exfoliation, look for ingredients like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acid. Seeing red? Reach for a toner with soothing chamomile, cucumber, or vitamin E. For extra hydration, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and rosewater can help. To reduce free radical damage, seek out grape seed extract or green tea. Got age spots? A toner with vitamin C can help fade pigmentation. (Make sure when washing your face, you don't make these mistakes.)

Apply toner after cleansing and patting skin dry, then allow it to absorb before using additional products.

#5 Sleeping on your back or with a satin pillowcase will help keep your face wrinkle-free.

Is choosing the correct sleep position the most important thing you can do to minimize lines and wrinkles? No. That honor goes to sunscreen, which protects against the UV rays responsible for 90% of the signs of skin aging. Still, there’s little doubt that resting your face on your pillow can lead to lines, that, over time, may become permanently etched into the surface of the skin.

Sleeping on your back is a good, but only a partial solution, since statistics show that sleepers typically change positions around 20 times a night and spend only one-third of their time on their back. Switching to a pillowcase made of silk, satin, or another smooth fabric also helps. (Here are 13 silk pillowcases that fight wrinkles and bed head.) “It cuts down on the potential for line-causing friction,” says Gohara. As for those special “anti-aging” pillows, which usually have a scooped out middle to reduce pressure on the cheeks, eyes, and mouth while you’re sleeping, there's not a lot of proof that they work, though it can't hurt to try. (One small study did find an average reduction of 12% in lines and wrinkles after sleeping on one such pillow for a month.)

#6 You can detox your skin.

It’s understandable why experts have pooh-poohed the notion that you can purge your skin of rogue elements that are up to no good. As celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas points out, “detox” is a loaded word without a clear definition. However, she notes, the idea is accurate in the sense that some ingredients—for instance, clay and charcoal—can remove impurities like dirt, dead cells, and oils from skin, leaving it softer, smoother, less prone to breakouts, and more radiant.

You can also detox your skin from the inside out, reports Washington, DC dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, MD. “Going on a diet that’s low in carbs, gluten, and sugar lessens inflammation in the body, which in turn can reduce acne and rosacea and give skin a healthy glow,” she explains. Some foods that Tanzi says are particularly skin-friendly (especially if you have rosacea, like she does) are salmon—which is packed with soothing omega-3 fatty acids—and bland veggies like asparagus and cucumbers.

#7 Wearing your bun or ponytail too tight can lead to hair loss and baldness.

Any hairstyle that causes tension by pulling at the scalp and root can lead to scarring hair loss, which means it’s not going to grow back. Sub out your regular topknot with one of these loose, pretty hairstyles.

#8 Rubbing your eyes causes wrinkles.

Rubbing your eyes doesn’t directly cause wrinkles, but the pulling motion causes the thin, delicate skin around the eyes to wrinkle back and forth, which leads to the appearance of premature aging over time. You’re not going to develop a web of crow’s feet from rubbing your eyes once, but don’t make a habit of it.

#9 Rinsing Your Hair With Beer Can Make It Thicker and Stronger

The grain and jumps used to mix brew are rich in vitamins and proteins that help hair seem thicker, more grounded, and shinier. In the mean time, the liquor goes about as purging specialists. While you can't make every individual strand forever thicker, lager attempts to swell and augment the hair shaft until your next wash—so to the extent thickening items go, it's among the best (and least expensive!).

#10 Keep your perfume in the refrigerator

True! This one is cast in stone! Normally perfumes can last for years when stored in a cool, dry place but given the sultry weather in our country, it’s easy for the fragile constituent oils and chemicals to break down. Therefore, storing perfumes in the refrigerator may be the right way to go. Also, if your dressing table and perfumes are near a window, change the position ASAP. Nothing ruins perfumes faster than sunlight exposure. If your perfumes are beyond redemption, pick out some new scents. Nykaa loves L’Occitane Citrus Verbena Summer Fragrance and Davidoff Cool Water Eau De Toilette for Men 40ml.

#11 You can get addicted to lip balm.

Ever notice how your lips get drier faster when you’re wearing lip balm regularly? That’s because skin can get dependent on certain products - including lip gloss and lip balms. This happens most frequently when you mix drying ingredients like salicylic acid with moisturizers. Your skin ends up getting drier, which leads you to add more moisturizer.

#12 You can use hairspray to set your makeup

Ludicrous but true! Ideally you shouldn’t be using hairspray on your face, and no, it isn’t because it’ll make facial hair grow faster! But just as hair spray can set your style and seal in strand moisture, it can also seal makeup to make it last longer. Honestly, if you don’t have traditional sealants—compacts and loose face powder—you could use hair spray in a crunch. But just add a drop or two on your palm and smooth it over your makeup face. Instead Nykaa suggests NYX HD Studio Photogenic Grinding Powder and Maybelline Dream Matte Pressed Powder.

#13 You can clean your hair equally well with just conditioner

True! Co (conditioner, for those who’ve come in late) washing is the latest, hippest beauty buzz. It does away with harsh detergents found in most shampoos and relies on the surfactants in conditioners to do the job, gently and equally effectively. This is a particularly useful cleansing method if you have rough, damaged or color treated hair. However, if you have oily hair or a greasy scalp you could try co washing once a week at the most. To read more about trend, click here The best way to start is by using an inexpensive, lightweight conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Fullness & Life Conditioner, Dove Daily Shine Conditioner or Himalaya Herbals Protein Conditioner Repair & Regeneration.

#14 NAILS SHOULD BE FILED IN ONE DIRECTION

Here’s another “myth” I totally thought was made up until I started getting regular manicures and noticed the technician filed my nails in one direction. When you go back and forth on your nails with a file, it weakens them and can cause them to chip! Who knew? Here are my favorite emery boards; they are just like the ones professionals use in nail salons!

#15 YOU SHOULD THROW YOUR MASCARA AWAY AFTER 3 MONTHS

This just sounds crazy, right? What makeup doesn’t last at least 6 months? Well, mascara doesn’t. Or shouldn’t. Because you are applying it to your eyes, it’s super important that even if the mascara seems OK, you still throw it out. This is because after 3 months you can cause an eye infection inadvertently from the mascara. When mascara starts to get old (around 3 months after opening it) it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

#16 Washing your hair 2-3 times a week is better than washing it daily

Washing your hair daily, unless you live in extremely humid climate, dries it out. The natural oils produced by the scalp are lost and not enough time is given for them to be replenished. Restrict hair washing to 2-3 times a week, and try dry shampooing in between washes, if your hair gets too oily.

#17 Blackheads can only be removed through an extraction

This is true. None of those blackhead removing masks and scrubs actually work effectively. This is because a blackhead is embedded in the skin and can only be effectively removed by an extraction. The masks and scrubs slough off the top layer of the skin and loosen the blackhead but don’t actually remove it.

#18 Sticking to a set of products yields good results

If a set of products works for you, stick to them to get the best results. With the markets flooded with new products each day, it can be tempting to experiment. But refrain from that for the sake of your skin. It’s ok to change up a product or two depending on the needs of your skin at that time, but it is otherwise wise to have a tried and tested skin care routine that suits your skin.

#19 Petroleum jelly can help reduce the look of wrinkles.

Marilyn Monroe was famous for using this treatment, and there’s actually reason to believe it works. Vaseline and other jellies are strong moisturizers, and heavily moisturized faces tend to show less wrinkles. So, yes, it can help you look a bit younger.

#20 Dabbing toothpaste can make your acne go away.

It sounds odd, but this does work. The hydrogen peroxide and triclosan found in toothpaste are ideal for drying out acne and pimples. Toothpaste also kills bacteria, which can help you quash major breakouts. So, if you can’t get your spot acne cream, grab your toothpaste. It’ll work in a pinch.

#21 Wearing red nail polish will turn your nails yellow.

Nails absorb the pigment in polishes, so your nails can definitely turn yellow from brighter reds. The best way to avoid this kind of staining is to apply a good base coat that can absorb all that extra pigment and protect your nails.