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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Tips for Women > Old Wives Tales

Old Wives Tales

Merit or Madness?

Does the “wisdom of old” still hold true when it comes to old wives’ tales in relation to skin care? Do the remedies and cures of yesteryear still have merit today? Let’s see shall we?

Apply warm vegetable oil on dry cracked skin:

Applying warm vegetable oil to dry skin will certainly help soften the skin. Sweet Almond Oil is one of the most common oils. It is a light oil that contains vitamins and minerals, proteins and glycosides. Good for most skin types, and especially useful for dry and itchy skin. It also has the added benefit of being anti-inflammatory. Apricot Kernel Oil is rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, and is also high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is a good oil for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin.

The excellent softening and moisturising properties are great for face, hands and hair. Vitamins A and C are good for mature, dry or sensitive skin. Apricot Kernel Oil helps skin retain elasticity, clarity and suppleness. Avocado Oil is a rich oil that is deeply penetrating and rich in Vitamins A and D, Lecithin, Potassium as well as Vitamin E. It is often used for people with dry or mature skins, or those suffering from eczema or psoriasis, and is very useful when treating sun or climate damaged skin that is dehydrated and undernourished. It is also claimed to help with regenerating the skin and softening the tissue. Ideal for an intensive overnight rehydrating face mask, or add a few drops to your bath for all over moisturising.

Eating chocolate gives you spots:

No it doesn’t (thank goodness!), but it is advisable to keep your processed sugar intake low for an overall healthy skin.

Petroleum Jelly makes your eyelashes grow:

No, it doesn’t. It can however give you puffy eyes and even milia (whiteheads).

If you have oily skin you shouldn’t wear a moisturiser:

Not true, all skin types need the added protection moisturisers provide. There are some fantastic oil free, oil absorbing moisturisers packed with anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial ingredients that help heal and prevent future breakouts. Using a moisturiser also helps protect the skin’s barrier function helping to prevent moisture loss and dehydration.

Your skin will age like your Mum’s:

If your mum’s skin is great then you’d hope so! The reality is that genetics will determine factors such as your skin colour and skin type but can only take credit for approximately ten percent of your skin ageing. That means we have control of around ninety percent of how our skin looks and ages. It’s a big responsibility and one we have to be 100% accountable for.

If your skin is dry or you’re prone to eczema, eat oily fish:

Golden advice that has lasted the test of time. The omega oils are fantastic to help nourish our skin cells and ward off dry flaky skin.

If you suffer from breakouts you need to change your pillow case daily:

This is good advice, it helps keep the skin in a clean environment whilst sleeping, in addition avoid using fabric conditioner on your bedding as the ingredients can be comedogenic (blackhead forming) when in contact with the skin.

Apply honey to irritated and sun burnt skin:

There is lots of research that substantiates the healing properties of honey, Manuka in particular. It has fantastic calming and soothing properties and it also has an antibacterial action.

Pop toothpaste onto a spot to help it heal:

We have all probably tried this one sometime in our life and encountered some moderate success. While toothpaste won’t clear a spot, the majority of toothpastes contain menthol, which cools the skin and soothes the inflammation.

Rubbing lemon onto your skin will lighten it:

Not enough that you’d really notice, though Vitamin C is a great ingredient to assist in skin lightening and although lemon has a gentle bleaching effect, it will not make a significant difference on the appearance of your skin.

In Conclusion ...

It seems on the whole, that the advice shared by generations of women providing tried and trusted cures has held us in good stead. In today’s world, the basis of these cures is still evident as you find them or their active properties in advanced skin care formulations, allowing us to have an arsenal of sophisticated treatment remedies.

- The International Dermal Institute