Myth #11: Mineral Oil is comodogenic.
Truth: Just to clarity, comodogenic means having the tendency to produce or aggravate acne. Today’s cosmetic mineral oil has met with stringent safety standards and are not industrial-strength. Since water-based products cannot melt or remove sebum plugs, an oil-based substance is needed (oil attracts oil) – thus, mineral oil.
Myth #13: Packaging is not important.
Truth: Packaging is vitally important! This is not just for asthetic reasons, but to protect the efficacy of the ingredients. Watch out for products in wide-mouth jars, trasnparent containers, and pumps that are not all airless. These types of packaging styles will drastically lower the integrity of the ingredients.
Myth #13: Preservatives in skin care products are bad.
Truth: Preservatives actually help prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other organisms that can not only deteriorate a product’s effectiveness and spoil the product itself, but also allow harmful bacteria to get on or in the skin. Regarding parabens: there still isn’t enough definitive research that topical appplication will lead to harm, but further study is needed.
Myth #14: Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.
Truth: Some individuals may have allergic reactions to foods that can cause inflammation, but the root of problematic skin includes hormonal factors, bacteria, and skin cells. Stress, however, does have the power to exacerbate flareups, so slow down, take a deep breath…and relax.
Myth #15: Drying problematic or oily skin clears up acne.
Truth: The opposite is true. When skin becomes overly dry, your skin will send signals to produce more oil. So use dry products sparingly, and instead, look to lightly moisturize dry, oily skin. The goal here: to keep your skin balanced.
Myth #16: Blackheads are caused by improperly cleansed skin.
Truth: Blackheads are caused by clogged pores – and excessive scrubbing can irritate and further inflame the skin. Blackheads often contain dirt, oil, and dry and dead skin cells that need to be removed. Products that help dissolve sebum are the most effective.
Myth #17: Get a base tan to prevent burning before going on vacation.
Truth: Any tan is a sacr, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. Want that base tan anyway? Self-tanners are the safest way to go. Try Fake Bake at Ulta. It applies dark and rinses off beautifully, leaving you with a gorgeous tan that lasts longer than most drugstore brands.
Myth #18: All sun damage to skin occurs before 18 years of age.
Truth: Wouldn’t that be awesome – to never have to apply sunscreen again! (after 18). The truth is, sun damage continues to occur through life. And actually, some studies are suggesting that less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person turns 18. So if you’re not a sunscreen junkie yet – hop on the train – it’s never too late to start protecting your skin.
Myth #19: Indoor tanning beds are safe.
Truth: The argument that tanning beds and booths do not cause the same skin mutations that may cause cancerous lesions is false. UVA rays found in indoor tanning actually lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells. And, as testimony, I have a friend who’s now 32, who’s been tanning since age 15, whose facial skin is quite wrinkly already, and whose overall skin is just leathery. The 30’s are the new 20’s, right? So give up that tanning membership and opt for that self-tanner instead.
Myth #20: Antioxidants reverse wrinkles.
Truth: Ah, the media, how they love the vulnerable consumer. Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radical formation and are important in helping prevent skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away. Let’s be real here, the only way to get rid of wrinkles nowadays is Botox (and that’s only temporary). So be good to yourself and, while you still can, 1 tsp. of sunscreen every day, 2-4 times a day.
