Chocolate gives you spots.                  
There's no scientific evidence that eating chocolate has a direct relation to the condition of your skin. However, if you have a predisposition to acne - a common and genetically inherited skin disease - high levels of sugar can artificially elevate the hormone levels and thus over-stimulate the skin.

The more expensive the product, the better it is.
Good quality ingredients come at a price, but that doesn't mean paying more will deliver better results. Be aware that up to 60% of the cost of some products goes into paying for huge advertising budgets and fancy packaging.  Don't take the word of the marketing company as gospel.  Only you know what works for your skin. Get yourself a cosmetic ingredients book; stay informed about new 'miracle' ingredients; and above all, be honest with yourself about the results that you're getting.

Squeaky clean skin is the secret to good skin.      
Contrary to popular belief, that squeaky-tight feeling after washing your face is NOT a healthy symptom. Your skin is designed to have a layer of barrier protection comprised of fats, oils and water (called the "acid mantle") which sits over the skin's surface and provide it with protection against external pollutants such as bacteria, fungus and the environment.  Washing with  soap based products strips away that protection, and it can take up to eight hours for the skin to rebuild itself.  Wash your face morning and night and opt for mild cleansers with added moisturizers that won't leave your skin feeling tight.

Using cucumber on your eyes prevents eye bags.
Bags under the eyes are caused by fluid retention - it's more obvious than anywhere else on the body because the skin under the eyes is much thinner. Applying cucumber certainly helps to cool the area, thus helping to reduce capillary activity and the amount of fluid. However, since the components of the cucumber do not penetrate the skin the effect is only temporary.

Put toothpaste on spots to help them go down.
Toothpaste contains very small quantities of an antibacterial ingredient known as triclosan which is often used in spot treatments.  However, it also contains a host of other ingredients that aren't specifically targeted for skin and can actually cause blockages.  Use a good deep cleansing mask, instead, to draw out impurities without blocking pores.

Darker skins don't need to use sunscreens.
The darker the skin, the more natural protection it will have due to the larger amount of melanin - the pigment that guards against UV rays. Darker skins are less likely to burn, but UV rays can still penetrate the skin. Sunscreen is therefore important to protect the skin from cancers and premature aging. The International Dermal Institute recommends a minimum of SPF 15 for all skin types. If you're sensitive to the ingredients used in SPF products, try using a mineral make-up foundation.

Pinching your cheeks is a great substitute for blusher.
Repeated use of this method can make you look worse as the capillaries in the cheeks become flaccid, leaving the skin looking blotchy. Try using a mineral make-up blusher instead. We recommend some facial massage techniques to give skin a healthy flush.  Massaging the scalp, neck and shoulders causes blood and lymph flow around the facial area which will help boost the complexion.