THE REAL DEAL: Scary, but true. A lack of movement, particularly when sitting with your legs crossed or standing for long periods of time can cause unsightly leg veins. "Leg veins must fight against gravity to pump blood back up to the heart," says Dr. Strachan. "When they become weak, the blood backs up, the veins bulge and become visible." While leg crossing may be a contributor, many other factors including genetics, age, pregnancy, obesity, and hormonal changes may also be culprits.
MYTH #2: Cocoa butter helps get rid of dark marks.
THE REAL DEAL: As much as many of us slather this stuff on, we should have clear and glowing skin by now. No wonder we don't: Cocoa butter does not get rid of dark marks. There is no science to support this myth. What it does do is soften skin, but be sure to avoid applying it to the face as the oils in it may clog pores and cause additional breakouts.
MYTH #3: Washing your face every night prevents breakouts.
THE REAL DEAL: For many, this is true. Regular face washing decreases the daily build up of oils that help to feed acne-causing bacteria. However, in other cases, genetics, hormones, and stress are the major contributors to acne breakouts. Nevertheless, daily washing helps clear buildup, so keep at it. Try adding an oil-free acne wash like Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash ($6, Walgreens.com) to your routine.
THE REAL DEAL: Nope. "Unless you are rubbing greasy pizza on your face, there is no reason to believe that junk food or chocolate cause breakouts," says Dr. Jones. Be sure to know the difference between having a reaction to certain food and acne. If you break out every time you each chocolate or drink soda, you may be allergic, but it's not acne.
MYTH #5: Using foundation daily clogs your pores.
THE REAL DEAL: Clogged pores does cause acne, and if the foundation that you're using is not non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores, it can lead to breakouts. If it doesn't say "non-comedogenic" on the label it cause acne flares, even if it says oil-free. Try: Shiseido Sheer Matifying Compact SPF 22 ($30, sephora.com)
THE REAL DEAL: This is a myth--nothing changes pore size. Using a washcloth won't tear at pores, but if you already have breakouts the abrasive texture can rupture blemishes and worsen hyperpigmentation. Also, washcloths harbor bacteria so unless you are using a clean one each time it can cause breakouts.
MYTH #7: Dabbing toothpaste on pimples will dry them out faster.
THE REAL DEAL: Yep, toothpaste (especially, the traditional white or opaque pastes) has drying properties, probably due to one of its ingredients, silica or alcohol. The drying agent works to clear red and inflamed bumps, but Dr. Strachan says that it will likely do nothing for a blackhead or whitehead. Also, "be careful with this treatment, as other ingredients in the toothpaste may irritate the skin," she says. If your skin is super-sensitive, try an all-natural toothpaste like Tom's of Maine ($4.99,drugstore.com).
THE REAL DEAL: While this sounds like a nice and natural way to ward off wrinkles, it's untrue. "Gravity is gravity, and no constant upsweeping motion with lotion will prevent sagging," says Dr. Jones. Good genes, not smoking and limiting sun exposure helps limit some sagging.
MYTH #9: Plucking one grey hair will cause two to grow in its place.
THE REAL DEAL: The cause of gray hair is the loss of melanin in the hair as part of the aging process - not plucking. However, Dr. Jones warns against plucking, as "it causes inflammation of the hair follicea, and subsequent hyperpigmentation," she says.
MYTH #10: Drinking tons of water will give you clear skin.
THE REAL DEAL: H2O has many great health benefits, but unfortunately clear skin isn't one of them. "Certainly, water is an important component of our overall health, but water alone, not even tons of it, will give you clear skin," says Dr. Jones.
THE REAL DEAL: "Eyes and eyelids are held in place by many muscles of the forehead and eye socket. An overly aggressive waxer would have to destroy these muscles for the eye to be pushed down," says Dr. Jones.
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