Forget celebrity gossip – the world of beauty gossip has more ‘what ifs?’ than the relationship status of your favourite reality TV couple.
Sometimes it can be near impossible to sort the speculation from the straight-up facts.
Here, we’ve tackled busted seven common beauty myths. You’re so welcome.
Myth 1: Dry skin needs moisturiser by the pot load.
VERDICT: There’s actually something it needs more. When your face feels tighter than a pair of men’s speedos, your instinct is to drench, drench, drench it in moisture. The problem?
One of the most common causes of dry skin is actually under-exfoliating; if you don’t get rid of those dull, ash-grey dead cells, they will use your skin as their local hangout. And they won’t let any moisturiser join their club.
The best way to tackle dry skin is this: first, kick out those dead cells by exfoliating, then use a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid, which draws water in.
Related: Zoe Foster Blake tells us all how to use face oils properly.
Myth 2: Always shave body hair in the opposite direction to the way it grows.
VERDICT: Not if you’re sensitive. Yes, this technique does give the smoothest results. But if shaving is usually followed by an attack of the in-growns – the itchiest little enemies on the planet – you might want to change tack.
When a shave is extremely close, hairs can retract into the skin and curl back on themselves in the days afterwards. To prevent this in-grown assault, shave with the direction of hair. Bye-bye bumps.
