Oxygen may be vital for your lungs, but there isn’t any evidence that it can improve your complexion. Many facialists will say that a blast of air during a treatment purifies the skin, but “there’s no scientific truth to this at all,” says dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf.

In fact, it can potentially be harmful. Oxygen contains free radicals that damage the skin, so more oxygen may create more damage. “A free radical is an oxygen molecule with an uneven number of electrons, and oxygen wants an even number,” says dermatologist Leslie Baumann.

“So the oxygen with the unpaired electron tries to ’steal’ electrons from vital structures like DNA and cell membranes, which can possibly lead to wrinkles and even skin cancer.”

Anyone who tries to sell you on creams that claim to be infused with oxygen is also full of hot air. “Oxygen is a gas, so a cream would only be able to contain its stabilized form – and stabilized oxygen is hydrogen peroxide,” says dermatologist Jeannette Graf. “And since too much hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin, I don’t recommend using these creams.” [source: Allure]