WINNING ARTICLE at the 4th Annual J&J Beauty Journalism Awards

Chocolate gives you spots
There's no scientific evidence that what you eat 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, Sally Penford, education Manager for the International Dermal Institute warns that 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 savvy about what you're buying and always ask for samples. 'Don't take the word of the marketing company as gospel,' says Penford. '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 and oils and water which sits over the skin's surface and provide it with protection against external pollutants such as bacteria, fungus and the environment. 'Washing with detergent or soap based products strips away that protection and it can take up to eight hours for the skin to rebuild itself,' explains Penford. Try not to wash your face more than once a day. Opt for mild cleansers with added moisturisers 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.

Putting toothpaste on spots helps 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. Celebrity beauty therapist Katherine Jackson suggests using a calming clay-based product 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 ageing. 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. Jackson recommends 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.'

Drinking two litres of water a day is essential for healthy skin
Chinese medicine suggests that your body is designed to let you know when you need fluid and that drinking too much water can put unnecessary pressure on organs such as the kidney. It's worth remembering that your skin is the last place to feel the benefit of water because other organs use it up first. The two-litre guideline takes into account all the water contained in the food you eat too, so be sensible about your water intake. The best way to maintain water levels in your body is to drink little and often throughout the day rather than all at once. Drink when you are thirsty, and up your intake if you have been eating salty foods, drinking alcohol, exercising or have been out in the sun.

You need eight hours of sleep to look your best
Night is the time when your skin is not being bombarded with too many challenges, so it is able to rest, regenerate and repair. If you're not getting enough sleep your skin is going to suffer, but the amount of sleep you need varies from person to person. The quality of your sleep is also a factor. You might pass out for eight hours after an alcohol-induced binge, but you certainly won't get up looking your best. To help you get a good night's rest, avoid drinking alcohol and eating at least two hours before you go to bed, have a relaxing bath and try to establish a pattern of going to bed before midnight.

Natural products are best
Not necessarily. Just because it is natural doesn't mean it will work better. Many natural ingredients do contain extra vitamins and minerals, but you need to be careful when buying 'natural' or 'organic' products. Only the smallest amount of natural ingredients need to be present in a product for it to be labelled 'natural'. These products can still contain parabens and other best-avoided chemicals. Synthetic alternatives can be just as good or even better, giving you all the benefits of natural ingredients. 'It also often makes more ecological sense to create something synthetically instead of drawing on natural resources,' says Penford.