3 Old Wives' Tales About Beauty That Are Total Bull
1. Eating chocolate and greasy foods makes you break out.
Go ahead and chow down. There's nothing in a candy bar or pepperoni pizza that's going to make zits suddenly sprout-"unless maybe you rub the pizza across your face a few times," says New York City dermatologist Diane Berson. (So please, try to hold yourself back.) The only foods that may exacerbate
acne are sushi, shellfish, and soy sauce, explains Dr. Berson; they all contain high amounts of iodine, which has been linked to inflammation and breakouts.
PLUS: Find out the Fast Foods that Don't Make You Fat!
2. Dry skin causes wrinkles.
Wouldn't it be great if a little moisturizer could keep lines at bay? Unfortunately, wrinkles form when
collagen breaks down far below the surface of the skin (which is right where dry skin occurs). Moisturizers
can improve the appearance of lines, though, by temporarily plumping the parched skin around them.
Sun exposure is the number one cause of collagen degeneration, so if you want a moisturizer that offers good wrinkle protection, look for one with sunscreen and an anti-aging antioxidant like vitamin C.
MORE: Smooth your lady lumps! Check out The Best Anti-Cellulite Creams
3. Cold water will shrink your pores.
You got your pore size from mom and dad (thanks, guys); not much will change it. "Cold water constricts blood vessels so skin only feels tighter," says Dr. Hirsch. But you can minimize their appearance on the surface. When pores are clogged with oil and dead skin, they look bigger. A product with salicylic acid cleans them out. Pores also stretch as you lose collagen. And one more time: Sun breaks down collagen. So wear sunscreen-it'll do more for your pores than an icy splash will.
PSST! Find out the foundations won't rub off in the heat (or on your sheets).
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
