Myth Busting Tuesday #4

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Myth #4: “Oil-Free” foundations do not clog pores or cause acne.

You’re at the store and you come across a new foundation. The display is inviting. You pick it up, scanning for information. The words, Oil-free, jump at you. How could they not? They are written with an impossible to miss font-size that pulls your eyes away from the small print.

The words are like a small voice is whispering “Buy me. I won’t clog your pores like those other brands”. It feels safe.

Truth: Oils are not the only ingredients that clog pores. There are other ingredients used in foundations and creams that can cause clogged pores and acne development: Myristyl Myristate, Red Dyes, Isostearyl Alcohol, PEG 8 Stearate, etc..

The reality is that if you read ingredient list of Oil-Free makeup, you may find fatty acids and esters. These are so known “synthetic oils” and they are actually more likely to irritate your face. But since natural oils are not used in a formulation, manufacturers can put Oil-Free on the label.

Nowadays, you can find pretty much any kind of makeup or skin care product in Oil-Free version. The Oil-Free label is just another great marketing trick that Cosmetic companies use to fool consumers, and make their products more appealing to women who believe that oil will make their breakouts worse.

Look for the word Noncomedogenic on the label for skin products if you have skin that is oily, acne prone and clogged easily. Noncomedogenic means that an ingredient or product doesn’t clog pores and cause black or white heads.

“Label Language” can be technically accurate but misleading at the same time. Schedule a free consultation to get customized advice that cuts right through the noise and misleading marketing.

Myth Busting Tuesday #3

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Myth #3: Tanning in a tanning bed cause less damage than natural sunlight.

Truth: All forms of tanning are not safe. Direct sun exposure and tanning beds can and do cause cancer because you are being exposed to UV radiation.
Last week after talking to client who mentioned that she is still tanning in tanning bed. I was surprised that this service is still popular. I thought that the rise of skin cancer and alternative method of spray tanning killed it for tanning beds. So I decide to search the web and see what’s going on with tanning industry, and I was in shock from what I read on their advertising campaigns for tanning beds. It is like they know it is bad, bad they try to justify it. One of the businesses is even saying that “yes we know it is cancerogenic and bad for you but so are cigarettes and wine’’. They call all the researches that had proved negative effects of tanning “absurd”. How messed up is this?!
Tanning beds use lamps that emit mostly UVA rays, with smaller doses of UVB rays. UVA lamps emit UVA radiation that is three times more intense than UVA radiation in natural sunlight. Tanning Salons advertise that UVA lamps are the way to go if you are looking to get beautiful, even, bronze tan. They claim that UVA lamps:
  • will not cause skin burning and as a result, reddish looking tan
  • SAFER for clients with sensitive skin
  • give you deeper longer lasting tan because UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays.
Here is the deal, technicality it is true. Tanning Salons are not lying about certain things. Overexposure to UVB rays, which affect the surface layers of skin, quickly causes the skin to burn. The use of UVA lamps will prevent burning of the skin and it will tan your skin on the deeper level, creating the bronze-brown tan that will last longer.
But here is what they are not saying: UVA rays, are “aging rays” meaning they are number one cause of premature aging of the skin. They do penetrate deeper than UVB rays into the skin, causing damage to cells’ DNA and destroying collagen and elastin fibers in your skin, leading to wrinkly and saggy skin.
The choice is yours but DO NOT let Tanning Salons mislead you by telling only one side of the story!

Myth Busting Tuesday #2

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Myth #2: Collagen in creams can replenish collagen content in your skin
Truth: The molecule of collagen is too big to penetrate the skin and replenish the lack of collagen inside reticular layer of the dermis. Once applied it just lies on top. You cannot increase collagen content in the skin by applying “Collagen Creams” or taking “Collagen” in a pill form. Collagen can only be produced and replenished by the skin cells. It is completely internal process.
                                                                      
Using the word “COLLAGEN” on labels it is a great marketing idea. Because that is something that everybody knows and can associate with. So when you see Collagen containing cream you automatically think more firmness. But that’s is not the case. When added to creams collagen works as water-binding agent. It hydrates and prevents water loss from the surface of the skin. Also because of the way is spreads across the skin it can fill in fine lines and wrinkles, making skin to look smoother.
Bottom line is that when you see cream with collagen you can buy it. Read the label to find out the source of collagen used. Try to look for creams with Marine Collagen. But remember collagen creams will be a great hydrator and protector for your skin but it will not increase collagen content within the skin and make it firmer.
There are 4 main sources of collagen used in cosmetics and supplements:
  • bovine (cows)
  • chicken collagen
  • porcine (pigs)
  • fish (marine) collagen
Bovine, porcine and chicken collagen are cheaper and more common than fish (marine) collagen. Marine collagen has antioxidant properties that have been used in skin-care products to prevent or even repair the damage caused by environmental factors, such as UV rays and low humidity, as well as damage associated with the aging process.
P.S. If the label on the products reads ’’Stimulates or Increases Collagen and Elastin Production” that is a completely different story. It means that the product does not actually contain collagen or elastin among the ingredients, but has other components that stimulate and help the skin to produce collagen and elastin fibers.
 

Myth Busting Tuesday #1

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Myth #1: You can shrink or get rid of your pores

Truth: The size of your pores is genetically determined. You can’t make pores shrink or disappear, but you can minimize the appearance of your pores by deep cleansing, exfoliating and using corrective products. There are 3 common reasons for large pores:

  • oily or combination skin type accompanied by excessive oil production
  • lack of deep cleansing and exfoliation that leads to buildup inside your pores. The buildup will stretch out pores over time if not removed
  • loss of elasticity due to aging.

Bottom line is that if you are bothered by the size of your pores, STOP! In a way, you just need to accept what you were given and do your best at taking good care of your skin.
And next time, when you hear certain skin care products make claims they will help you shrink or get rid of your pores, remember that it is a LIE!