Don't be bamboozled by beauty myths. We've set the record straight on some common misconceptions concerning your face, body and hair. Read on to learn the real deal.

Myth: Chocolate, sweets and fried foods cause acne.
Fact: Don't blame that last slice of pizza for your pimple; blame your genes and pesky hormones instead. Hormonal fluctuations brought on by your period, menopause or even stress can spark increased sebum (oil) production, leading to bacterial growth that can cause a "plug" in your pores. Result: a pimple. Those food cravings you get around your period or when you're stressed are probably what are behind this myth — eat greasy food, touch your face, plug your pores and presto! You've got a blemish. To fight acne, Diane Madfes, MD, a New York dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, recommends cleansers with salicylic or glycolic acid and topical creams with vitamin A or retinol. Got sensitive skin? Look for products that contain lactic acid.

Myth: Drinking lots of water will "plump up" your fine lines and wrinkles.
Fact: Dr. Madfes calls this one a "partial myth." The skin on your face does need to get moisture, both internally, from the fluids you drink, and externally, from your moisturizer. But you don't have to gulp down H20 exclusively — it turns out, things like juice and tea will also get the job done. While drinking liquids won't eliminate those fine lines and wrinkles, drinking enough to keep your skin well hydrated — about six to eight glasses per day — will allow it to regenerate and look its healthy best. And in a pinch, you can always apply a topical cream to temporarily plump up those fine lines.

Myth: The higher the SPF in your sunscreen, the better.
Fact: A higher SPF number is not necessarily better. The most important thing is that your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both the UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays of the sun. If you reapply often, a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is just as effective as an SPF 50 one; the 50 might just buy you an extra 20 minutes in the sun.

Myth: You can repair a split end.
Fact: While certain products can temporarily "seal" split ends, the only way to get rid of them is to cut them off like a freeloading boyfriend. To prevent (or at least delay) them, try to cut back on the heat abuse from flat irons, curling irons and hair dryers.

Myth: For shiny hair, brush it 100 times each night.
Fact: It may have worked for Marcia Brady, but it's not going to work for you. Brushing can pull out hair that wasn't ready to fall out, and it can weaken or even break individual strands. For shiny hair, you're much better off using a good conditioner and shine serum. And never brush your hair when it's wet — always use a wide-tooth comb.

Myth: If you have cellulite, you must be overweight.
Fact: Anybody can get cellulite, regardless of weight. That dreaded dimpled look is actually caused by tiny fibrous bands under the skin, which pull down around pockets of fat. It can get worse as you age, because the collagen in your skin loosens, but the fibrous bands don't. Exercising to increase muscle and reduce fat can help, but there's no permanent, easy solution. According to Dr. Madfes, firming creams such as Clarins Total Body Lift can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite by causing constriction in the skin — good to know if you really want to don that miniskirt and paint the town red!

Myth: Cocoa butter prevents stretch marks.
Fact: Actually, anything from baby oil to hand lotion will work. It's not the cocoa butter, it's the massaging and gentle stretching action when you smooth in the cream that preps your skin to stretch without leaving telltale "marks" behind. If you already have stretch marks, Dr. Madfes suggests prescription retinoid creams — but you can't use these while you're pregnant.

Myth: Green tea boosts your metabolism.
Fact: Despite all the hype over green tea — which does have many health benefits — there's still no magic weight-loss bullet. Recent studies have indicated that roughly six to 11 cups of green tea per day may increase the rate at which you burn calories after a meal, but that's not the same as raising your metabolism. According to Suzanne Farrell, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, the only proven way to do that is to exercise, build muscle and eat throughout the day. As for green tea supplements? Farrell doesn't recommend them: "You're just being a guinea pig," she says.