Top 10 Skin Care Myths everyone should know
Posted by Rachel Lozina on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 04:02 PM
The Latest from Blue Water Spa
1) Blackheads are caused by improper cleansing.
Blackheads or comedones are caused by clogged pores, and excessive scrubbing can irritate and further inflame 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.
2) Get a base tan before going in the sun to achieve a safe tan without burning
All forms of sun tans are scars on the skin. It is never safe to tan. Self tanner is always the best bet.
3) Organic, natural products are better than synthetic laboratory brands.
Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be effective. Synthetic ingredients can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not the basis on whether the product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good either.
4) Use "drying" products on oily problematic skin.
Almost the opposite is true, if you dry the skin out too much with harsh acids and benzoyl peroxides, your skin may produce more oil because of the the lack thereof.
A nice balance is what you must achieve.
5)Going in the sun dries up acne
It does and your skin will look great...until the summer is over and you have successfully ruined your skin, causing scarring of the pustules and pimples. Then your skin starts reproducing more oil and the cycle starts all over again. Please beware, you will damage your skin so much more this way. removing the damage of scarring from acne is not easy or comfortable.
6) Using aggressive scrubs help with acne and wrinkles
Be careful, if you over scrub or wash with too aggressive cleanser you can strip your skin of the natural acid mantle and have moisture issues. Also harsh scrubs can cause tiny scrapes in the skin. Always look for man made beads or discs, all natural scrubs can have jagged edges that damage the skin.
7)Retin-A Thins the skin, and causes me to peel and flake.
Retin A or retinol or tretinoin does make you peel and flake, thats kind of the point, but not for too long, It takes about 6 weeks for your skin to acclimate to Vitamin A usage, but if you can make it over the hump, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful skin on the block. It does not thin your skin, it actually thickens it up over time. Retinol is the Gold Standard in Anti Aging, period.
8) Steam opens your pores
Nope sorry, your pores have no muscles to open and close, although your hair follicles do. Your pores size is determined by genetics, hormones, and dead skin cumulation. Don't pick your skin either because you will scar it and cause a hole that dead cells and sebum collect in. So get facials regularly!
9) The higher your SPF the better you are protected.
An SPF 30 is only 4% more protective than an SPF 15. Layering SPF 15 and SPF 30 don't add up to SPF 45. SPF is only a measurement for your UVB damage, not your UVA which causes cancer, sun damage and sun spots. applying an SPF 15-20 every few hours is more effective than applying SPF 50 once or twice.
10) Eating greasy foods cause acne
Good question, it was once believed that there was never a link, however acne sufferers will sing a different tune. I think there is a correlation somewhere, but is not the main culprit to consistent acne bouts. Some think the refined foods can cause problems but it is still up for debate, stay tuned....