Beauty Mythbuster: Could Deodorant Be the Solution to Your Oily Skin Problems?

Oily Skin Myth

Whack: You're Not Using Oils on Your Skin — Many people think that the name of the game here is to get rid of as much oil as possible to prevent acne breakouts and shiny skin! Overuse of cleaners and toners strips away your skin's natural oils and causes your skin to ramp up its production of sebum: This can make clogged pores and acne flare-ups more likely.

Hack: Keep Those Natural Oils — Try regularly using products that contain essential oils. The essential oils will not only give your skin a deep, moisturizing treatment (which leads to less sebum production), you can also take advantage of the antibacterial properties (which kill off acne-causing bacteria) and its antioxidant powers (which can reduce cell damage and slow the aging process). We like Eve Taylor Essential Oils for this kind of beauty treatment.

Drinking Water Can Improve Skin

Whack: You DrinkYour Water — This one might have you scratching your head, too, but think about it: the whole point of hydration for skin care is that is moisturizes your skin and detoxifies you. However, if you are just drinking your water, it tends to go right through you every time you visit the powder room!

Hack: Eat It — Try to eat your water instead — at least some of it! Go for fresh fruits and vegetables like watermelon or cucumbers that have a high water content. Your cells will be able to absorb this more easily — and you will be getting tons of vitamins and minerals that leave your skin beautiful from the inside out!

Sun Care

Whack: You Don't Cover Enough with Your Sunscreen — When many people apply sunscreen, they tend to pay a lot of attention to their face but ignore other really important areas. This can really increase the risk of skin cancer, not to mention accelerate the aging process due to excessive sun exposure.

Hack: Spread the Love — When you put on sunscreen, don't just cover your face! Make sure you are also applying it to your ears, jawline and hairline — these are areas where dermatologists often seen cases of skin cancer, since they are often ignored during the sunscreen application ritual. We think that Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen works perfectly.

Face Wipes

Whack: You Skimp on Facial Wipes — Many people use facial wipes only occasionally (or not at all). Dirt and oil from sweat and from the air can sit on the skin for hours. This built-up grime can lead to breakouts and other problematic skin conditions.

Hack: Wipe It Down — Facial wipes are a great way to keep your skin fresh and clean after a workout or before you go to bed — otherwise, dirt, makeup and other gross-out substances can clog your pores and lead to some serious acne down the road. Yuck! Throw some wipes into your gym bag or purse — and be sure to keep them near your bed at night. We like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths.

So now you know about some of the habits you may have that can damage your skin — and knowledge is half the battle! Tag us in your skincare tips @BritandCo.

This post has been updated.

The Best Alcoholic Drinks for Your Skin 

Red wine might not compare to your sacred bottle of vitamin C serum, but it's not the worst thing that can happen to your complexion. According to Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, it's the best boozy beverage to consume. "There are studies that one glass of red wine per day for women is good because it contains resveratrol — a known powerful antioxidant [with] anti-aging properties," she notes. And while she believes you can reap its antioxidant benefits by indulging in a glass of red wine, she says "much more resveratrol can be packed into skincare." Products formulated with resveratrol (or other polyphenols) have been known not just to slow down the aging process, but also reverse visible signs of aging — like pesky sun spots, fine lines, and wrinkles — too.

As beneficial as red wine can be, it's important not to go overboard. "If you have skin conditions such as rosacea, you should be careful as it may aggravate or trigger a flare-up," says Jaliman. On top of that, the sugar in alcohol can have a lasting impact on the skin's youthful appearance. "Alcohol also causes dehydration of skin, leading to pronounced lines between the eyebrows, droopy eyelids, [dry] skin, enlargement in pores, reddish skin tone, and deeper nasolabial folds," explains Alissia Zenhausern, a board-certified naturopathic physician in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Four Tips to Drink Your Way to a Better Complexion

While Zenhausern doesn't recommend we use red wine to achieve better skin, she understands the importance of a GNO and says some red wines — like organic ones — are better for beauty than others. Ahead, read her tips for choosing the best alcoholic bevvies for your skin.

1. Limit Drinking: "Drinking more than two glasses twice a week can actually interfere with the lining of your gut and can lead to gut inflammation, which can present itself on your skin," she adds. On top of limiting how many days a week you drink, Zenhausern also says to try not to drink two days in a row.

2. Be Picky: Drinking in moderation is one thing, but choosing high-quality alcohol is equally as important. Because of that, Zenhausern says to choose only the purest alcohols possible. "The United States allows grapes used for wine to be sprayed with Roundup," Zenhausern reveals. Roundup is a systematic herbicide that uses a chemical compound called glyphosate to kill weeds in crops. And while the Environmental Protection Agency does not consider the pesticide carcinogenic, those with concerns about non-organic products might want to steer clear and instead select an organic wine. In addition, Zenhausern says wines that come from outside of the United States — such as France — are safe because they do not spray their grapes with pesticides.

3. Avoid Beer: If you're not a red wine drinker, that's okay. However, beer is not the next best pick. Because it contains gluten, Zenhausern says it can trigger gut inflammation, which can easily turn into skin inflammation. If you can't resist, Zenhausern suggests opting for a gluten-free alternative like Green Dubbel Dark Ale or Stone Delicious IPA.

4. Drink Water: Since any alcohol — even one claimed to be the best for your skin — can dehydrate your complexion, Zenhausern says always drink at least one glass of water for every glass of wine. "This will help keep you hydrated and will prevent dehydration of the skin," she explains.

Do you have a favorite organic red wine? Tell us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated.

1. How I Met Your Mother

It's natural to have flawed characters in TV series, but one How I Met Your Mother character in particular, Barney Stinson, is especially problematic. Portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, Barney is known for being manipulative and casually misogynistic.

For instance, he has a "playbook" of pick-up lines, regularly lies to women just to sleep with them, and perpetuates toxic masculinity. Barney's behavior might've been able to snag some laughs back in the day, but his disrespectful actions wouldn't be so well-received by audiences in 2025.

2. Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men continues to air on TV and stream across platforms, but that doesn't mean its premise isn't controversial.

Charlie Sheen plays Charlie Harper, a man who routinely treats women as objects for his own pleasure and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes. Not to mention, Charlie's behavior is showcased in front of his young nephew, Jake, who becomes privy to situations that are way too mature for a kid.

Sure, there is humor in the tension between Charlie and his brother, Alan. Nonetheless, the line between comedy and inappropriate content is definitely blurred.

3. Ugly Betty

Both the title and plot of Ugly Betty probably wouldn't hold up if it were released today. The show revolves around Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera, who is a smart, ambitious, and kind-hearted young woman. However, since she wears glasses, has braces, and doesn't follow fashion trends, she's deemed "ugly" and deals with constant ridicule after landing a job at a fashion magazine.

It's undeniable that Ugly Betty is packed with both funny and heartfelt moments. Nonetheless, the way the show treats Betty's looks and reinforces harmful beauty standards feels super outdated in our more body-positive and inclusive era.

4. That 70's Show

When you think of That 70's Show, you might picture the classic bell-bottom-wearing friend group sitting around, surrounded by clouds of smoke. Compared to how the character Fes, played by Wilmer Valderrama, was treated, the underage drug use seems relatively tame.

As the "foreign exchange student," Fes is not only given a name that reduces him to being an outsider, but a lot of the humor surrounding his character also just relies on racist stereotypes. That 70's Show might've intended to be lighthearted, but it's tough to imagine a modern sitcom leaning on so many old tropes.

5. Everybody Loves Raymond

Despite being a funny character, Ray Barone, played by Ray Romano, reinforces problematic gender roles in Everybody Loves Raymond.

He comes off as a passive husband who typically sides with his mother over his wife, leaving his wife to shoulder much of the emotional labor and household chores. This old-fashioned family dynamic feels especially inappropriate today when modern sitcoms are trying to challenge these old stereotypes.

6. The Big Bang Theory

The initial appeal of The Big Bang Theory centered around nerd culture being quirky and odd, but today, this kind of "otherness" just isn't considered funny anymore.

Each character also has their own specific issues, with Raj's selective mutism being played for laughs, Penny embodying the "dumb blonde" stereotype, and Sheldon's behavior that's exaggerated for comedic effect. In 2025, this sitcom seems repetitive and shallow since it leans too heavily on stereotypes.

7. Home Improvement

When it comes to Home Improvement, this show pushed a traditional narrative where men are defined by their roles as the breadwinners and having handyman skills; meanwhile, a woman's value is tied to her appearance and household duties.

Tim Taylor, played by Tim Allen, is a one-dimensional character whose storyline almost totally revolves around his role as the host of "Tool Time," a fictional TV show. Not to mention, there's the "Tool Time girl," a woman whose sole purpose is to stand and look attractive while introducing Tim and his co-host. The lack of depth and outdated gender tropes make Home Improvement a tough watch today.

8. According to Jim

On a similar note, the show According to Jim features a father, played by Jim Belushi, who embodies traditional gender roles. His behavior doesn't fit the mold of the typical sitcom dad, though, since Jim is always lying to his wife and sister, interrupting others, and acting just plain rude.

In hindsight, Jim's character perpetuates misogyny and being overly macho, something that probably wouldn't fly if made today.