Beauty Myths that you should know are Myths

We, and women in particular are constantly bombarded by beauty ‘tips’ and being urged to buy an array of products that promise ‘miracles’ and deliver little if anything to a credulous buying public, eager to buy anything that promises youthfulness or the belying of one’s real age. Here are some beauty myths that are just that; myths –

·         ‘Fairness’ creams make you fair. Rubbish. All so called fairness creams are mere sun screens that will help prevent tanning and at best help bring your skin closer to its natural skin tone, by preventing tanning for a time. Also those models at the beginning of the ad who are always sad looking, unsuccessful and dark and who are then transformed into fair, confident and successful individuals by the simple expedient of applying a topical cream are also liberally helped by makeup and lighting to create the clever illusion of before and after

·         ‘Men’s Fairness’ creams are different. Not so, they are much the same. If the men’s fairness cream market is a 100 crore market today, it is mainly so men don’t have to bear the humiliation of using what is considered to be a women’s product. The packaging and fragrance being different makes these more acceptable for men to use; that is all.

·         Facial Bleaches make you fair. Also rubbish. All they do is bleach facial hair.  So if one is very dark skinned that bleached hair can become even more obvious; rather like fur on the skin.

·         Anti wrinkle creams work. Again this is a myth, no matter what Ponds, Garnier, Olay and a host of others say. At best they will moisturize the skin and impart a softness and smoothness; they will not reduce wrinkles. Use it by all means if you like the texture of your skin after application or you enjoy the fragrance; just done expect any visible difference. The change, if any may be quite invisible to the naked, eye, so don’t expect your husband to send you flowers and chocolates just yet. You can do more for your skin by eating healthy (lots of tomatoes in particular) staying out of the sun, exercising regularly and drinking enough water.

·         The more expensive the cream the better it will work. This is also nonsense. Many of the high end creams have the same ingredients as generics; only have better packaging and perhaps a better fragrance.

·         You need a separate eye cream. You don’t. Take a look at the ingredients list; they are about the same as moisturizers, only the package for under eye creams is tiny and the price greatly inflated.

·         Products with collagen will give you great skin. Not so. Collagen applied topically is not absorbed by the skin and will stay on the surface giving no benefit.

·         Shaving encourages hair growth. Again a myth. This one makes us shave our children’s head in infancy in hopes of a full, head of hair and also makes us hesitant to use razors as a means of hair removal. Shaving does not encourage hair growth; it just causes the hair to grow more evenly and blunts the tips, making it appear thicker.

In conclusion remember it is the job of product manufacturers and marketers to sell you products; it is up to you to separate fact from fiction. Be a savvy consumer, read ingredient labels; keep expectations realistic and never expect promised ‘miracles’ to occur.