# Products that make it worse. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 23, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357 "2009-12-23T19:34:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![zenith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zenith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zenith)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/61 "2009-12-28T15:10:43Z")
> [@Dead\_Flowers](#): > > And for the thread topic, Entenmann’s fat free anything is a product that makes it worse. Having weight trouble? Want a dessert? Here’s a giant carbohydrate bolus of simple sugars and preservatives. You can eat as many of these as you like. They’re fat free. (I know, moderation, it’s not the product’s fault. But still.) Most fat-free products have more calories than the full-fat variety and have textural problems, as well. Best to eat less of the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/62 "2009-12-28T15:53:10Z")
> [@Yarster](#): > > Let’s see - Norton Anti-Virus comes to mind - prevents everything else from working to the point where any software support decision tree starts with “Do you have Norton? If so remove it” We have a joke around the shop..the only security Norton provides is job security for computer techs. ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/63 "2009-12-28T17:11:45Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > Oh yes. I nomitate **every big-name anti virus program**. or Microsoft Windows ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/64 "2009-12-28T19:55:10Z")
> [@not\_alice](#): > > or Microsoft Windows Technically I’m not sure if that counts. Windows is an OS. An OS is designed to make a computer useable. A computer without an OS is not very useable at all. A computer with Windows is annoying, but sometimes useable. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/65 "2009-12-28T21:33:27Z")
> [@zenith](#): > > Most fat-free products have more calories than the full-fat variety… Uh, cite? While added sugar can be a problem, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a product that’s fat-free be more calories than the non-fat-free version. ---
**Author:** ![rivulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rivulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rivulus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/66 "2009-12-28T21:56:44Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > In my experience, regular use of any lip moisturizing products causes me to become dependent on them. The advice above about staying hydrated works better for me and also an old farmer’s trick; a little oil from the sides of my nose (the _out_ sides) applied to the lips works better than anything. Glad to know I’m not the only one who does this. A little oil from the overly endowed T-zone seems to help the dry zones. Lips included. I just kind of re-distribute things by rubbing my face with my (clean) fingers. Kind of like brushing hair can redistribute oils. Some might find it gross. I find it effective. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/67 "2009-12-28T22:02:44Z")
What if you make it your life’s goal to eradicate any and all oil from the T-zone? ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/68 "2009-12-29T03:05:31Z")
> [@rivulus](#): > > Glad to know I’m not the only one who does this. A little oil from the overly endowed T-zone seems to help the dry zones. Lips included. I just kind of re-distribute things by rubbing my face with my (clean) fingers. Kind of like brushing hair can redistribute oils. Some might find it gross. I find it effective. What if your skin is so dry that you need to use Cetaphil super-thick cream as facial moisturizer and in the winter, you need to add drops of oil _to that_ so your skin doesn’t dry out? I gots no oil in my t-zone. It’s 🙂 and ☹ at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/69 "2009-12-29T03:37:06Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > The advice above about staying hydrated works better for me and also an old farmer’s trick; a little oil from the sides of my nose (the _out_ sides) applied to the lips works better than anything. The _out_ sides? :smack: Now he tells me! ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/70 "2010-01-11T08:29:27Z")
Formula 409. It works well as a cleanser, but the residue is a dirt magnet. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/71 "2010-01-11T23:21:51Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > [Just so.](http://www.ehow.com/how_4480406_rinse-hair-apple-cider-vinegar.html) Fixes the pH of your scalp and no more dandruff. Color me extremely skeptical. “Fixes the pH of your scalp?” By what mechanism? I can see changing it temporarily, but actually altering the PH of body tissues permanantly with a topical rinse? However, I’ve been wrong before, so a couple nights ago I used a vinegar (white, I didn’t have apple cider, but the cite above claims it’s the acetic acid that’s the active ingredient) rinse on my hair–I had flakes again within an hour of the hair drying, and I haven’t noticed any decrease since. And my wife complained vehemently about the smell (which does in fact go away when your hair dries, but can’t be completely rinsed or shampooed out in my experience). I’d like to see a real study, please. For now, it’s back to T-gel. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/72 "2010-01-12T00:28:13Z")
Anti-Odor Spray for shoes. For whatever reason, it seems to make my shoes smell even worse, and adding more powder only increases the smell. I get better results from Lysol disinfectant spray. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/73 "2010-01-12T00:34:07Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > What if your skin is so dry that you need to use Cetaphil super-thick cream as facial moisturizer and in the winter, you need to add drops of oil _to that_ so your skin doesn’t dry out? > > I gots no oil in my t-zone. It’s 🙂 and ☹ at the same time. I envy you! I’ve been told at make up counters that I have dry skin but to me it always feels super oily. I recognize that on occasion it’s dry and I do moisturize daily but I’m always happier when it’s a bit drier. Oily skin skeeves me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/74 "2010-01-12T01:57:01Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Anti-Odor Spray for shoes. For whatever reason, it seems to make my shoes smell even worse, and adding more powder only increases the smell.. Yes, some fungi live on the cornstarch in powders, and talc can absorb and retain odors. Best is spraying with Tolfanate anti-fungal, letting dry, then using a cedar shoe tree between wearing. In general, let your shoes rest at least 1-2 days between wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/75 "2010-01-12T03:27:02Z")
Since these are mostly medical… the “soothing cream” that comes bundled with some yeast infection treatments. I’ve tried it several times and it always, always burns worse than the infection. Then I have to figure out how to get it off. Ow. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/76 "2010-01-12T03:36:55Z")
I have one that might be controversial… Nicotine replacement products to quit smoking/dipping. The gum, the patch, lozenges…all of them. They give you enough nicotine to notice but not as much as you crave so it spreads out the withdrawal. You can suffer through vicious nicotine withdrawal for 3 days or so until it is out of your system (although the cravings won’t go completely away) or you can use nicotine replacement products and go through the symptoms slowly over a long period of time. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/77 "2010-01-12T04:36:15Z")
Just stepping in to solve the “lip balm: dry out my lips or not?” debate. > **[Are you addicted to lip balm?](https://thebeautybrains.com/2006/05/are-you-addicted-to-lip-balm/)** > > Chris is Curious: Is it really possible to be addicted to lip balm? The Left Beauty Brain’s Lips Respond: Fascinating question, Chris. And you can find an equally fascinating, but a little over-analyzed, discussion on the addictive properties of lip... In the “about me” section of who the Beauty Brains are: The Beauty Brains are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. And I’m nominating “green” dishwashing liquids. They all just move the crap around, not actually wash them. I’m looking at you, Seventh Generation. Ecover is the exception. Bagless vacuums. WHO on earth though this was a good idea? You have to empty these suckers outside so you don’t undo all your hard work. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/78 "2010-01-13T04:23:32Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Bagless vacuums. WHO on earth though this was a good idea? You have to empty these suckers outside so you don’t undo all your hard work. I’m going to have to disagree with this as a “product that makes it worse”. I love, love, love my bagless vacuum (well as much as one can love a vacuum and still be a relatively well-adjusted individual- it is strictly platonic ;)). I do empty it outside weather permitting or hold a trash bag around the canister and dump it that way so that dust doesn’t go flying…but mostly it is so much better than changing bags which I never really got the hang of and always ended up with a nice pile of dust next to the vacuum anyway. And it is so much easier to retrieve small items accidentally sucked up. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/79 "2010-01-13T15:12:49Z")
For me, Sudafed. I know for some people (like my mother), it works just fine, but whenever I have taken it, it has turned my mildly stuffed up head into a dried out, throbbing, painful pumpkin. Even when I have tried the non-drying kind, it has never made me feel better rather than worse. Oh, and our Roomba. We got one fairly early on, but it got lost and stuck so much that monitoring its plaintive beeps and setting it straight was probably more work than just sweeping the damned floor would’ve been. I hear they’re better now. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357/80 "2010-01-13T17:40:33Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > My brother had a puncture wound on his finger, so he applied Neosporin and bandaged it up. He developed an infection anyway and said the doctor told him not to use Neosporin anymore. My husband recently had a skin biopsy and was also told specifically “no Neosporin”. My mother used the stuff after she had her ears pierced; the piercings almost developed into little ulcers. She has a couple of files discussing this reaction; apparently, it’s pretty common. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-make-it-worse/522357.md?page=3)