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, right? 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? (This might lead one to argue that this statement could be false, which would negate this entire post … ouch. I think I just pulled a muscle in my brain.)
Here are some common beauty myths, and what I discovered 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. So, 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 (e.g., dead skin cells or dirt) the pore can appear enlarged. Go ahead and exfoliate in order to remove that gunk.
Myth: Cucumber Reduces Eye Puffiness
The cucumber itself does not reduce puffiness. But consider this, have you ever heard of something or someone 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’s 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 lots of good stuff built in, like moisturizers and exfoliants.
