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.

Sparkles are extremely festive this time of year – go all out with a sequined dress to really embrace the Christmas spirit! You can find so many similar options at Anthropologie and Nordstrom. When paired with some cute ballet flats, you'll be feelin' like a little Christmas fairy in no time.

A blazer will never fail to make your Christmas outfits look sophisticated. Layer one on top of a basic cable knit sweater for a classic feel (that'll also keep you super warm)! From there, trousers or tailored jeans will do. Don't forget to accessorize with red Christmas nails and a bold red lip color!

Layers, layers, layers: it's the name of the Christmas outfit game, especially if you live somewhere super cold. But a practical 'fit doesn't have to be boring! Start with a comfy turtleneck and pants (over some leggings for extra warmth), then go crazy by mixing colors and patterns. This plaid + leather combo will be on repeat. Step into your favorite winter boots to bolden up the look!

Statement jackets are the way to go. This leather one is lined with a furry material that not only holds in your body heat during outdoor excursions, but looks so chic, too. Layer one with some leggings, a black mini dress, and a bright red sweater like this one so you feel cozy all day long! Don't forget the boots, either! 😍

Hair bows are the perfect accessory to rock alongside your Christmas outfits. From sleek sweaters like this one to more formal dresses, they fit the occasion oh-so nicely.

For a *spicier* holiday get-up, don't hesitate to reach for your fave tall boots and little black dress. It's a no-fail combo! With an all-black situation like this one, you won't have to spend extra time worrying about if your outfit is matching perfectly or not. Wear the two pieces with some sheer black tights, or get creative with colored ones, like a bold red or sparkly white.

If your personal style leans more preppy, this is the Christmas outfit idea to copy: loafers and a pleated skirt instantly make you look dressed up, but the nice part is you're not sacrificing comfort for style one bit. This outfit formula can span over endless color combos, but we particularly love the burgundy-leaning look with this one.

You can never go wrong with a good green or red plaid dress. Bonus points if it's vintage, like this one! You can easily dress it up with tights and a cardigan, with boots or ballet flats to match!

Velvet dresses have our hearts (and closets). The material evokes a very vintage-y Christmas vibe that you can style over and over again. We're currently eyeing similar styles to this one from Target and Anthropologie!

Sequins shine again! If it's Christmas party time, you truly cannot go wrong with an eye-catching ensemble like this one. You'll leave the whole crowd stunned. A sequined dress also makes for some ahh-mazing Instagram pics! 📸

Bundling up this winter doesn't have to be drab. Throw on a plaid scarf on top of a layered look to embrace all the Christmas vibes!

Playing with different materials and non-traditional color combos might just surprise you when it comes to creating the coolest Christmas outfits. For instance, this 'fit combines leather and suede, which contrast each other beautifully. You also might not immediately think of black and brown working well together, but this outfit idea defies all fashion "rules" in that regard.

For a Christmas-y night out (ahem, bar crawl, anyone?), don your cutest holiday sweater with some comfy jeans and boots. We've found some really great options for fun holiday sweaters that are still super stylish!

Get you a good tall black boot, and your Christmas outfit ideas will go far. They work wonderfully with everything from maxi dresses to midi skirts!

No matter what you wear this Christmas, there's always room for a playful (and festive!) hair bow.