Introduction: The “BS” Detector
Welcome to the Golden Age of misinformation.
Open TikTok, and you’ll see a 19-year-old influencer telling you that drinking chlorophyll water cures acne (it doesn’t) or that doing 500 side-bends will melt your love handles (it won’t).
The wellness industry is a $4.5 trillion machine designed to make you feel insecure so you’ll buy things to fix problems you don’t actually have.
At Testalytical, we prefer science over sales pitches. We looked at the dermatology journals and the exercise physiology data to debunk the 5 biggest myths that are wasting your hard-earned cash. Put your wallet away—you’re going to need it for actual bills.
Myth #1: “If It Costs $300, It Must Be Better”
The Lie:
Luxury brands want you to believe that their “Miracle Broth” harvested by mermaids under a full moon is why their cream costs $300.
The Science:
Here is a secret: Ingredients don’t know how much you paid for them.
Retinol is Retinol. Niacinamide is Niacinamide.
Often, when you buy high-end skincare, you are paying for:
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The heavy glass jar (that looks nice on Instagram).
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The celebrity spokesperson’s third vacation home.
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The marketing campaign.
The Fix:
Turn the bottle around. Look at the first 5 ingredients. If a $20 Cerave or The Ordinary product has the same active ingredients as the $300 one, buy the cheap one and invest the rest in the S&P 500. Your face won’t know the difference.
Myth #2: “You Can Spot-Reduce Belly Fat”
The Lie:
“Do this 10-minute ab workout to blast belly fat!”
If I had a dollar for every time I heard this, I could buy a private island.
The Science:
Your body is not a Photoshop file. You cannot use the “Eraser Tool” on just your stomach.
When you exercise, your body draws energy (fat) from everywhere—your face, your arms, your legs, and yes, eventually your belly. Doing 1,000 crunches will give you strong abs underneath the fat, but it won’t burn the fat on top.
The Fix:
Stop torturing yourself with endless sit-ups. Focus on a Calorie Deficit (eating less than you burn) and full-body compound movements (squats, deadlifts). The fat will leave when it’s ready, usually from the place you want to keep it first (bye-bye, boobs/glutes) and the belly last. Thanks, biology.
Myth #3: “Natural is Always Safe, Chemicals are Toxic”
The Lie:
“This product is chemical-free! It’s 100% natural!”
First of all, water is a chemical (
H2O). Air is a chemical. Everything is a chemical.
The Science:
Just because something comes from the earth doesn’t mean you should rub it on your face.
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Arsenic is natural.
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Poison Ivy is natural.
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Lemon Juice is natural (and it will cause chemical burns if you go in the sun).
Lab-synthesized ingredients are often safer because they are stable, purified, and tested. Many “natural” essential oils are highly volatile and are the #1 cause of contact dermatitis (skin irritation).
The Fix:
Don’t fear the word “synthetic.” Fear the word “irritation.” If your skin loves gentle lab-made Hyaluronic Acid but hates “All-Natural Lavender Oil,” listen to your skin, not the marketing hippie.
Myth #4: “The Anabolic Window” (Bro-Science Classic)
The Lie:
“You MUST drink your protein shake within 30 minutes of finishing your workout, or your muscles will shrivel up and die.”
The Science:
This is classic “Bro-Science.”
Your body is not that fragile. While post-workout nutrition is important, the “window” is more like a giant barn door that stays open for 4-6 hours, or even 24 hours. What matters most is your total protein intake for the day, not the precise minute you chug it.
The Fix:
Relax. Go home. Take a shower. Cook a real meal. You don’t need to choke down a warm, clumpy shake in the locker room bathroom. Your gains are safe.
Myth #5: “Pores Can Open and Close”
The Lie:
“Steam your face to open your pores! Splash cold water to close them!”
The Science:
Pores are not garage doors. They do not have muscles. They cannot “open” or “close.”
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Steam softens the oil (sebum) inside the pore, making it easier to clean out.
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Cold water constricts the blood vessels, making skin look tighter temporarily.
But the actual size of your pore? That’s determined by genetics and collagen structure. You can’t shrink them permanently, no matter what the toner bottle says.
The Fix:
You can make pores look smaller by keeping them clean (see our article on Salicylic Acid). But stop trying to exercise them like tiny muscles. It’s not happening.
The Testalytical Verdict
The fitness and beauty industries thrive on your confusion. They invent problems to sell you solutions.
The smartest consumer isn’t the one who spends the most money; it’s the one who knows what actually works.
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Buy generic ingredients.
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Eat in a deficit.
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Trust science, not influencers.
Your skin (and your bank account) will thank you.
What’s the dumbest beauty myth you used to believe? Tell us in the comments—we need a laugh!
Disclaimer: Testalytical.com is for informational purposes only. We are not doctors, just nerds who read too many research papers. Consult a professional before making major health changes.