With an increasing emphasis on beauty and age defiance in North American society, everyone seems to be seeking ways to make themselves appear younger by taking better care of their skin. While it is true that skin is one of the keys to a healthy, youthful appearance, not all skin care treatments that are proposed, or even that are popular, are effective. Here are some of the top myths when it comes to skin care.

1) Acne. Acne is the bane of everyone from their teenage years and onward. There are so many false rumors out there concerning acne that an article could be written on them alone. To start with, acne does not cease miraculously when you are out of your teens. In some people, acne is a perpetual problem and will continue throughout their lives. Many of the false ideas about acne are extremely detrimental to people who are afflicted with the condition. Acne is not a sign that an individual does not wash their face. In fact, many individuals with acne will be told this by their peers and the result will be extremely counter-productive; they end up washing their faces too much. The dryer skin does not clear out the acne problem, instead it exacerbates it. Acne may be aggravated by certain foods in an individual's diet, but rarely are the “suspect foods” (chocolate, French fries, or pizza) the main trigger. Finally, remember that acne can be treated by several types of medicine on the market today-and effectively- so it is all right to go to your doctor and consult her about acne treatments.

2) Tanning. Tanning is often advertised as adding a warm, healthy glow to your skin. The truth is, nothing is worse for your skin than direct exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays that are necessary to tan, whether you are on a bed or in the sun. Tanning may help to get rid of formed acne, but it will not prevent new pores from clogging. Tanning has little benefits beyond immediate aesthetic appeal, and in the long run it will prove harmful to your skin. It is best to use sun block whenever you are out in the sun.

3) Moisturizers. Many people think that moisturizers will help in making their skin appear more youthful by getting rid of wrinkles. This is not the case. Moisturizers will help to lubricate the skin and lessen dryness, but they will not serve to repair the microscopic damage at the cell level that wrinkles represent.

4) Skin Care ingredients. For many years, top beauticians have placed slices of cucumber over the eyes of their clients in order to reduce skin damage and swelling. Today, you will find many products on the shelves that depict a cucumber or slice of cucumber and claim to include cucumber extracts that will help rejuvenate your skin. The fact is that it is not any particular mineral in the cucumber that is beneficial to the skin, it is the fact that cucumbers are mostly made of water, which leeches into the skin during the process and gives the appearance of re-invigoration.

All of these myths are used today to help sell products via a method known as scare tactics. In fact, if you follow the advice of your doctor most of your skin care needs will be resolved, and they will not require a lot of home grown methods and wives tale rumors.