Bryan Barron: 5 beauty myths, BUSTED!

Ever wondered if there was any truth to common beauty myths? Author of Best Skin of Your Life Starts Here: Busting Beauty Myths So You Know What to Use and Why, Bryan Barron, has the answer to five common beauty misconceptions.

Myth 1: Dry skin? drink more water

The truth: Have you ever met someone who said that their dry skin went away from drinking lots of water? It doesn’t happen. The truth is dry skin isn’t about water consumption. If all it took to get rid of dry skin was drinking more water, then no one would have dry skin, and companies would stop selling moisturizers—and we all know that’s not the case!

What to do: Dry skin requires a rich treatment cream loaded with emollients and skin-repairing ingredients. Try SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream ($65) or Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin ($28).

Myth 2: One ingredient like vitamin C is all aging skin needs

The truth: Given the advertising, it would seem that most cosmetics companies believe this is true—because they perpetually launch products with one showcased ingredient, be it plant stem cells, a special melon extract from the south of France, or a plant oil from some exotic location we’d all like to visit. The truth is that giving your skin what it needs to act younger and be healthier is far more complex than one ingredient, no matter how good it is.

What to do: When it comes to reducing signs of aging, look for products loaded with antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients like retinol, and repairing agents like ceramides, plus daily sun protection. Olay, Estee Lauder, and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare are a few of the best brands who routinely use those types of ingredients—so you’ll see younger, healthier-looking skin!

Myth 3: Acne products that make skin tingle mean the products are working to get rid of breakouts

The truth: If it tingles, it must be working, right? Wrong! Ingredients that make your skin tingle, such as menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon, show up in countless anti-acne products, yet there is no research showing they have any benefit for acne or oily skin. Instead, these ingredients irritate skin, and only make matters worse! Irritating the skin triggers stress-sensing nerve endings at the base of the pore, which in turn stimulate more oil production. That cooling sensation, however nice, has no ability to reduce acne!

What to do: Look for gentle, fragrance-free acne products and check the labels to make sure common offenders like denatured alcohol and menthol aren’t there. Two brand that meet these criteria and deliver effective acne products are ProActiv+ and La Roche-Posay Effaclar. 

Myth 4: Eye creams can eliminate puffy eyes and dark circles

The truth: No eye cream can eliminate these common under eye concerns, but the well formulated ones can potentially reduce the appearance of both—but there’s a better way! Many cases of dark circles are caused or worsened by years of unprotected sun exposure.

What to do: Protect eyes every day from sun damage by using an eye cream with built-in, mineral-based sun protection! Try Clinique Superdefense Age Defense Eye Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20. Underneath the eye cream, apply a brightening treatment loaded with niacin-amide, a key ingredient to improve skin tone. Paula’s Choice Resist Pure Radiance Brightening Treatment ($32) leaves a soft-focus radiance that visibly reduces dark circles!

Puffy eyes: A sneaky cause of morning puffiness is not getting your makeup off completely, every night! This is an essential step, because leftover traces of eye makeup can lead to inflammation that results in puffiness. One of my favorite, inexpensive makeup removers that takes off ALL types of makeup is Almay Eye Makeup Remover Liquid.

Myth 5: You only need to apply sunscreen when the sun is shining

The truth: Sun damage is better described as UV light damage—and this type of damage begins the first minute your skin sees daylight, even if it’s cloudy! Simply put, if you can see daylight, sunny or not, your skin is being exposed to UV light that causes all sorts of problems—many that you won’t see until years later!

What to do: No matter your skin type, it’s essential that you apply a sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater to all areas of exposed skin every morning. Make it a daily habit, like brushing your teeth! You will be amazed at the positive difference this step makes, now and years from now!

For normal to oily or breakout-prone skin, try Coola Mineral Sunscreen Cucumber Matte Finish ($36), which leaves a shine-free finish.

For normal to dry skin, I love the moisturizing, super-gentle formula from Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($38).

Also CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30* ($14.99) and Olay Complete Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin* ($12.99) are great.