Latest news with #myths
CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
10 Sunscreen Myths That Could Hurt Your Skin This Summer
As the temperatures continue to rise, the more we'll all be outside. An essential part of spending time outside safely is applying sunscreen to protect your skin. It's easy enough. But there are a lot of misconceptions floating around about sunscreen -- what type you need, how much you need to apply and when you should wear it. In this case, believing everything you hear can spell bad news for your skin. To protect skin from damaging sun rays that can lead to sun poisoning, blisters and cancer, sunscreen is your best line of defense. Whether you're on the beach for hours or simply plan to extend your daily walk, it's essential to get sun care right. Let's separate fact from fiction and debunk some common sunscreen myths. Your skin will thank you. The top 10 myths about sunscreen 1. All sunscreen is the same Yes, the goal of all sunscreen is to protect your skin from sun damage. But each product works differently, depending on its ingredients and level of sun protection. There are generally two broad categories of sunscreen -- chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain avobenzone and oxybenzone, which absorbs the sun's rays and converts them to heat. Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, have ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which reflect the rays. The ingredients in sunscreen determine how they protect your skin from the sun. 2. Higher SPFs are better You would think the higher the number, the more protection you get. But that's not always the case. SPF 50 blocks roughly 98% of UV rays. SPF 100 only blocks 99%, a marginal difference. I'm not saying you shouldn't get SPF 100, just remember that no sunscreen can give you complete protection against the sun. The higher SPFs tend to give people a false sense of security against the sun, leading to skin damage. What does the number on your bottle of sunscreen mean? SPF stands for sun protection factor and measures how long a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. This metric is based on how long it takes your skin to burn in the sun without protection. Say it takes 30 minutes. If you applied SPF 30, it would take 30 times longer -- 300 minutes total. I caution that these numbers are determined in a lab, with perfect application that doesn't account for things like sweat, skin oils or accidentally rubbing off the product. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, with reapplication every two hours. 3. Makeup with sunscreen is all you need to protect your face Using moisturizer or makeup with SPF included is a great way to add more sun protection. But it's not enough to provide adequate protection from the sun. When testing, skin care companies test with thick layers of the product to determine the SPF. In practice, you're probably not getting all the SPF on the bottle if you only apply a thin layer of the product. There's too much variation in how people apply makeup to say it's enough. Makeup with SPF is a nice addition, not a replacement for sunscreen. If you're wondering how the heck you're going to apply sunscreen after you've done your makeup, you can either blot your sunscreen on top of your makeup with a beauty sponge or buy a powder sunscreen like the . Read more: Best Facial Sunscreen 4. Waterproof sunscreen doesn't need to be reapplied Tell me if this sounds familiar from childhood: Your mom would lather you in sunscreen at the pool and make you sit there while it dried before jumping in the water. It was the longest wait of your life. It turns out your mom was right. Here's the thing about waterproof sunscreen -- it's not really waterproof. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. Sweat and water will always wash sunscreen from the skin. That's why it's important to wait 10 to 15 minutes before getting in the water after applying sunscreen. You should reapply it every two hours, even if you haven't gotten in water. Westend61/Getty Images 5. Darker skin doesn't need sunscreen Melanin does offer some natural protection from the sun by diffusing UV rays. However, people with darker skin can still develop wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sunburns and skin cancer. A study published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology found that people with darker skin tend to have lower survival rates for skin cancer, reinforcing the need for every person to wear sunscreen. It's important to note that people with darker skin tend to have lower survival rates because they are often underdiagnosed, not merely because of the color of their skin. 6. You only need to wear sunscreen when it's sunny Some people assume that no sunscreen is necessary because the sun is behind the clouds. But let me ask you, what is a cloud? If you guessed water vapor suspended in the air, then you are correct. While clouds can reduce the sun rays getting to your skin, they are not substantial enough to block them completely. More than 90% of UV rays pass through clouds. Even if it's cloudy, it's best to put on sunscreen. 7. You'll get a vitamin deficiency if you wear sunscreen Vitamin D is the essential vitamin made when the protein in our skin reacts to UVB rays from the sun. Essentially, we need sunlight to make the necessary amount of vitamin D that allows our body to absorb calcium and phosphorus. No sunscreen blocks 100% of sun rays, even if the packaging says 100 SPF. You'll still get approximately 2% to 3% of UVB rays, enough for your body to create vitamin D. 8. Tans are OK as long as you don't burn Safe base tans are a myth. The skin protects itself from further damage from UV rays by darkening. Having a base tan doesn't protect you from the sun and is a sign of skin damage. UV radiation is a human carcinogen. Even if you don't have a sunburn, unprotected sun exposure increases your chance of developing skin cancer. Establishing a base tan with a session at the tanning salon is still doing damage to your skin. skynesher/Getty Images 9. Sunscreen is bad for your skin The conversation around sunscreen safety mainly concerns oxybenzone and other chemical ingredients in some sunscreens. There has been an ongoing debate on the health risks of using chemicals in sunscreen. While the FDA hasn't found significant evidence that chemical sunscreens are harmful, more research is needed to conclude. A study published on JAMA Network discovered that 6 of the 13 ingredients in chemical sunscreen that the FDA is currently considering were absorbed and detectable in the bloodstream up to three weeks after one application. Additionally, some sunscreens can irritate sensitive skin or cause an allergic reaction because of the ingredients like fragrances. You can avoid this by choosing a sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin. 10. Sunscreen doesn't expire If you've ever used old sunscreen and squirted a separated mixture into your hand, you know firsthand that sunscreen expires. Over time, the ingredients break down and become less effective. That doesn't mean you have to buy sunscreen every year. According to the FDA, sunscreens are required to keep the same effectiveness for at least three years. So you can use the same tube of sunscreen for multiple years; just pay close attention to the expiration date, which is listed on the bottle. You shouldn't store your sunscreen anywhere in direct sunlight or where it can get too hot. It's not a good idea to store it in your car. Too long; didn't read? There are a lot of myths floating around about sunscreen, many of which can lead you to make the wrong decision for your skin. The bottom line is sunscreen should be an essential part of everyone's daily routine, especially if you're going to spend time outside. Reapply every two hours.
Entrepreneur
29-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
10 Leadership Myths You Need to Stop Believing
Here are 10 leadership myths that sound great on paper but don't hold up in reality — and the advice you should follow instead. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Leadership advice is everywhere, but a lot of it is wrong. The most dangerous ideas aren't the ones that sound extreme or outdated. They're the ones that sound reasonable. The ones that show up in offsite decks, leadership books and self-serving LinkedIn posts that feel familiar enough to accept without question. Here are 10 leadership myths that sound great on paper but don't hold up in practice — and the reality that's true instead. Related: 6 Myths About Leadership That May Be Holding You Back Myth #1: Balance is the goal We're often told that great leadership means finding balance — between work and life, between vision and execution, between being present and protecting your time. But real leadership rarely plays out that cleanly. Reality: Great leaders make sacrifices Leadership often requires sustained focus in one direction. It involves trade-offs, missed routines and moments when personal balance takes a back seat to professional responsibility. That's not a failure — it's part of the role. The leaders who grow the most are often the ones who know when to give more of themselves than is comfortable, and how to recover when they do. Myth #2: Hire people smarter than you This advice sounds noble and self-aware, but without context, it can lead to confusion. Intelligence alone doesn't guarantee alignment, trust or execution. Reality: Hire people who complement your blind spots The strongest teams are built intentionally. That means hiring people who complement your skills, who operate with autonomy and who understand the mission well enough to make good decisions without constant oversight. Intelligence matters, but only when paired with accountability and a shared sense of purpose. Myth #3: Culture is everything A strong culture is valuable, but it's not a substitute for results. In some cases, "great culture" becomes code for low standards or a reluctance to have hard conversations. Reality: Culture without performance isn't a business The most meaningful cultures are the ones where people feel a sense of belonging — and where that belonging is reinforced by the pride they take in their work. Without the results, a great culture is more like a social club than a business. Myth #4: Great leaders set the vision Vision is a vital part of leadership, but it's often romanticized. Creating a compelling vision is easy. Following through on it is much harder. Reality: Vision only matters when you see it through Leadership is measured by what happens after the vision is set. The ability to make tough calls, navigate resistance and keep things moving — especially when enthusiasm fades — is what separates aspirational leaders from effective ones. Myth #5: Protect your calendar at all costs Time management is important, but treating your calendar as sacred can make you inaccessible to the people who rely on your leadership most. Reality: Be available when it matters, not just when it's convenient The work of leadership doesn't always arrive neatly scheduled. It shows up in real-time questions, unexpected roadblocks and moments when your team needs clarity or support. Sure, time-blocking is useful, but toss it aside when your team really needs you. Related: 16 Successful Entrepreneurs on the Worst Advice They Ever Received Myth #6: Lead with empathy Empathy is essential in leadership. But when empathy becomes a way to avoid conflict or sugarcoat hard truths, it stops being helpful. Reality: Lead with clarity The most compassionate thing a leader can do is set clear expectations, offer honest feedback and chart a thoughtful path forward. Empathy without structure often leads to confusion; empathy with boundaries helps people grow. Myth #7: Confidence is key Confidence is often framed as a prerequisite for leadership. But too much of it — especially when it's performative — can cause more harm than good. Reality: Conviction matters more than confidence Confidence wavers in moments of doubt or uncertainty. Conviction, on the other hand, is grounded in values, priorities and a willingness to take responsibility. It allows you to move forward even when your confidence is shaky. Myth #8: Lead by example Leading by example is often seen as the gold standard, but it only works up to a point. Showing up early and working hard is fine, but that symbolic effort doesn't actually scale. Reality: Lead by design Strong leadership is about designing systems, norms and processes that reinforce what you stand for — so your impact continues, even when you're not in the room. Myth #9: Transparency builds trust Open communication is important, but oversharing in the name of transparency can create more anxiety than alignment. Reality: Consistent communication builds trust Trust comes from consistency, not constant disclosure. When leaders set clear expectations, hold steady under pressure and communicate thoughtfully, teams feel more secure, even if they don't have access to every internal discussion. Myth #10: Leadership is about influence Influence is shiny and seductive. But followers, speaking engagements and press features don't make you a leader. Reality: Influence is a perk, but accountability is the job Influence might be a byproduct of strong leadership, but it's not the core of it. The job is responsibility — to yourself and your team — even when no one is watching. Related: 5 Leadership Misconceptions That Hinder Success Let go of the leadership aesthetic The most persistent myths are the ones that look good from the outside. They tell us that leadership is about being inspiring, strategic, emotionally intelligent, and always available — but in reality, leadership is rarely that polished. It's often quiet. Sometimes uncomfortable. Occasionally isolating. And almost always full of trade-offs that don't show up in the job description. But when it's done with clarity, conviction and a sense of responsibility, it works. Not because it's perfect, but because it's real. Let go of the glossy version of leadership. The sooner you do, the sooner you can step into something far more sustainable and effective.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Relationship Myths To Let Go Of For Healthier Love, By A Psychologist
Could your beliefs about love and relationships be setting you up for disappointment? Rethink these ... More three myths for a more authentic connection. We all carry internalized beliefs about what an ideal relationship should look like, how love is supposed to feel and how the 'right' person would act in a relationship. These beliefs usually become the guiding factor in how you judge people and show up in your relationships. Sometimes, these beliefs can be misguided, since they're often a product of suggestions from your surroundings. These might be interpretations of love based on the relationships you grew up watching, advice you may have heard in passing or the idealized versions of love you've watched in movies. While these may seem harmless or even helpful, it helps to pause and question the standards you hold for what you think is right or ideal in a relationship. This is because often, it's not the relationship itself that causes frustration or doubt, but the assumptions you may have attached to it. Reflecting on your assumptions can help bring awareness to whether your beliefs are setting your relationship up against an unachievable or impractical standard. Once you begin to reflect, you may realize that some beliefs you've held onto are more limiting than helpful. Here are three common relationship myths you should rethink. It's common for people to believe that partners should always compromise equally in a relationship. This is natural because, in essence, it sounds fair to want a sense of evenness and balance in love. But the reality is, no matter how hard you try, love cannot be a perfectly balanced scale. A relationship involves the coming together of two dynamic individuals, which means effort, sacrifices or needs will not always look the same. Research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships in 2012 supports this. Researchers explored the effects of daily sacrifices in romantic relationships on relationship satisfaction and how this might depend on a person's attachment style. They found that the more difficult someone felt their own or their partner's sacrifice was, the less satisfied they felt in the relationship that day. This may be because such sacrifices on either end can be overwhelming for both partners. Additionally, researchers also found that when people made more sacrifices in a day, they usually felt more satisfied in their relationship. However, this largely applied to those with low attachment anxiety. For people high in attachment anxiety — characterized by a strong desire for closeness and a need for reassurance in relationships — making more sacrifices didn't make them feel better. This was probably because they were more concerned about whether their partner appreciated what they'd done for them. Lastly, participants' satisfaction didn't change much based on how many sacrifices their partner made. Researchers suggest that this is likely because they didn't always notice or know about these sacrifices. The main takeaway is that more than the quantity of sacrifices, what matters is how those sacrifices are perceived and felt. Even small gestures can deepen connection when they're made with ease and emotional attunement. It's important to keep in mind that a relationship is not about scorekeeping. Instead, it's more helpful to cultivate open communication and make space for each other's efforts, however big or small they may be. We're often conditioned to believe that a relationship should flow effortlessly or should not feel like 'work' when it's right. However, that's not the reality of a healthy relationship. The truth is, being willing to put in effort and working towards constantly evolving yourself and the relationship is a sign of emotional maturity. 'If it's meant to be, it should be easy' is a very common 'destiny belief;' the idea that two people are either meant to be or not. However, destiny beliefs can be detrimental to relationship longevity. A two-year longitudinal study of over 900 couples found that those who strongly believed their relationship was 'meant to be' started out more satisfied, surely. But they also gradually experienced faster declines in satisfaction over time. This happened because when problems arose, destiny believers often saw these as signs their love wasn't meant to last. Instead of working through difficulties, they tended to avoid tough conversations or even walk away. This is the result of having a very fixed mindset towards love and relationships. In reality, relationships that last have often evolved with conscious effort from both partners. This happens because people who believe love is something you build through patience and growth tend to approach challenges with curiosity rather than panic. So, a healthier approach to relationships is the mindset of 'we build this together.' This mindset helps you embrace growth in love and build a relationship that truly stands the test of time. Another common belief is that you need to be completely healed before you enter a relationship. You may even think, 'I'm too broken to date,' and hold back until you feel perfectly whole. But the truth is that healing is an ongoing process. You don't have to be completely 'fixed' to build a meaningful connection. What's more important is being self-aware and willing to grow alongside your partner to build a healthier and more authentic relationship. A supportive partner can help you become a better version of yourself. No matter how 'ready' you feel, there's still a chance that inner wounds resurface unexpectedly — and that's completely alright. This does not mean you have to avoid being in a relationship altogether. This just means you still get to work on yourself as your relationship evolves. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology explored whether providing daily support to one's romantic partner, specifically related to physical activity, could also benefit the provider, rather than just the receiver. Researchers studied overweight and inactive couples, questioning if helping one's partner pursue fitness goals would improve their own health behaviors, emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction. Sure enough, researchers found that on days when people provided more support to their partners, they engaged in more physical activity themselves (measured objectively via accelerometers). They also reported feeling happier, less stressed and more satisfied in their relationship the same day. When your partner supports you, it can be inherently rewarding to them to be of help. It also encourages both partners to work toward shared goals. When both partners show up with awareness, care and accountability, the relationship becomes a safe place for both partners to grow, where deeper healing can happen together. Helping your partner may build a sense of connection and purpose, all of which enhance well-being for both partners. This shows that support strengthens relationships by making both partners feel valued. That said, it's also important to remember that your partner can only support you. It's not their job to fix you, nor are they your 'savior.' The way you take responsibility for your triggers, communicate your needs and show up with emotional honesty is what shapes the relationship. In the end, what truly matters is showing up with self-awareness, a willingness to grow and the ability to offer and receive support. Letting go of rigid relationship myths isn't about lowering your standards. It's a chance to re-evaluate your idea of right and wrong in love. When you challenge outdated beliefs, you can open yourself up to greater emotional growth. Relationships don't thrive because they meet some ideal checklist, but because both people are willing to show up as they are and are committed to co-creating something meaningful. The real magic lies in choosing each other through the discomfort and the healing, over and over again. How many romantic myths do you subscribe to? Take the science-backed Belief In Marital Myths Scale to learn where you stand.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
3 gold price myths to know now
A dramatic rise in the price of gold could cause investors to believe some popular misconceptions. Getty Images The price of gold surpassed yet another record in April, hitting the $3,400 per ounce mark for the first time. That came just weeks after it surged past the $3,000 price milestone, which itself followed multiple new price records earlier in 2025 and throughout 2024. Starting at just $2,063.73 per ounce in January 2024, gold was priced at $3,309.26 for the same amount as of May 22 – a more than $1,240 price markup in less than 18 months. Put another way: The price of gold has surged by 60% and there's no end in sight for how high the price will go. Or is there? In times of remarkable price growth, assets like gold can take on an almost mythical feel. But this perception isn't always based in reality, and it can cloud the judgment of even savvy investors, let alone beginners just getting started in the gold market. In these instances, a gold investment in the wrong amount or price could easily damage your wider portfolio. To avoid this, then, it helps to know some gold price myths and the realities behind them. Below, we'll examine three myths worth knowing right now. Invest in gold here before the price rises again. 3 gold price myths to know now Here are three timely gold price myths investors should know the truth about now: Myth: Gold's price always rises Yes, over time, gold's price always rises. But that's over an extended period of months and years. There will be dips in the prices as part of its overall upward trend, as was seen as recently as this month when the price of gold dropped by more than $225 from its high in early May. And while that drop has largely been erased since, it would be misleading to claim that gold's price always rises. It doesn't. Declines will occur from time to time. You'll just need to be strategic about when you get invested and look for those drops to exploit because they tend to evaporate relatively quickly. See what price you could buy gold for here now. Myth: Inflation will always cause gold's price to rise Gold tends to have a positive relationship with inflation in the sense that as it rises, investors tend to move toward safe-haven assets like gold. And that increased demand causes the price of gold to rise in response. But this isn't a concrete rule, and it's a bit of a myth to assume it is. After all, the recent gold price increases in 2025 came despite the inflation rate declining in February, March and April. So, generally, while a spike in inflation could cause gold to become more expensive, it doesn't always happen that way, as recent investors saddled with higher entry price points despite a cooling inflation rate have recently discovered. Myth: It's worth waiting for gold's price to fall to invest In theory, this makes sense. It's almost always better to invest before the next price surge than during it, regardless of the asset in question. The problem is that, as mentioned above, the price of gold only tends to rise over time, even if that progression isn't always directly upward. Waiting for the price of gold to adjust downward in a material way as you would, for example, if looking to buy stocks, bonds or real estate isn't really applicable in the gold market. So it's misleading, if not directly a myth, to say that it's worth waiting for gold's price to fall to invest. Not only may that opportunity never materialize in the cost-effective way borrowers are hoping for, but they'll also simultaneously miss out on the gold investment protections that they already need in the interim. The bottom line Don't let the remarkable price run gold has been on misinform your understanding about the precious metal and its cost. By understanding these three common myths and applying them to your own approach to a gold investment you'll better improve your chances of success while maintaining a realistic understanding about what gold can and can't do for your wider portfolio.
The Herald
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
'They made a mistake': Steenhuisen slams Afrikaners who fled to US
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February offering Afrikaners refugee status, accusing the South African government of confiscating land and treating certain classes of people badly. The group of Afrikaners who left for the US claimed they were being persecuted in South Africa. However, Steenhuisen said South Africa is not experiencing genocide or land expropriation without compensation. 'There's no single farm that's being expropriated without compensation,' he said. 'Yes, we have issues with crime, but these affect all citizens in the same way. What we need to do when important trading partners like the US are making decisions is ensure they are making it based on facts, not fiction.' He welcomed the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump to take place next week, seeing it as an opportunity to dispel misconceptions about South Africa. 'It's a good opportunity for Ramaphosa to meet these counterparts to dispel some of the myths and disinformation that have been whispered in his ear about South Africa.' TimesLIVE
