In honor of Friday the 13th, we identified five common myths that continue to circulate in the beauty community. Just like we all know that stepping on a crack isn’t really going to break our mother’s back, we should all know that some beauty tips and tricks can be deceiving. Don’t fall for these.
Myth #1: Toothpaste can be used as a spot treatment for pimples.
There have been rumors claiming toothpaste will help dry up pimples and kill bacteria. However, the truth is that many kinds of toothpaste contain irritating ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate that are known to irritate sensitive skin. Even if it does the job of drying the pimple, you’ll probably end up with more irritation than you started with. You’re better off purchasing a skincare product formulated for acne spot treatment to avoid making things worse. The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is what I usually reach for.
Myth #2: Wearing makeup every day is bad for your skin.
The truth is that wearing makeup every day isn’t bad for your skin. However, if you don’t remove your makeup before bed and don’t clean your brushes frequently, it is. Another thing to keep in mind is choosing the right products to nourish your skin type. My skin is highly sensitive which is why I always check the ingredients of any product I buy. At Subtl, we make it simple to understand our ingredients.
Myth #3: If a product is “all-natural” then it’s good for you.
The truth is that when products are labeled “all-natural” or “hypoallergenic” it just means their ingredients are derived from nature or don’t contain commonly known allergens. It doesn’t mean they work any better or that they won’t irritate your skin. If you want to address a specific skincare concern you’re having, see a dermatologist to find the safest and most effective products for you.
Myth #4: Drinking water hydrates the skin.
While it is beneficial to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day, it won’t have any impact on the hydration of your skin. Our skin either hydrates itself or becomes hydrated through the application of creams, oils, or moisturizers. I keep my skin soft and hydrated by applying the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream daily. If you suffer from dryness, check out our guide to glowing skin.
Myth #5: The bigger the packaging, the more product you get.
A lot of makeup products sell you on the packaging and skimp out on the actual amount of product. Just because the bottle is bigger or fancier, doesn’t mean there’s more in it or that it works better. Next time you’re shopping for makeup, use the fill weight—not package weight to determine which provides the most bang for your buck. In our research, we’ve discovered that fill weight is a more reliable indicator of the amount of makeup in a package.
We made this video to help you understand just how much product you’re getting in a Subtl Beauty Stack:
Remember to always check multiple sources before buying and applying new makeup products. You should be skeptical about product ingredients, fill weights, and certain so-called beauty hacks. Don’t waste your money, or worse, have a bad reaction just because you didn’t take the extra time to do your homework.