When it comes to beauty, there’s no shortage of myths. You’ve heard them or maybe even said them, “I don’t need to wear sunscreen on cloudy days.” “If I eat chocolate, my skin will break out!” “This anti-aging cream is expensive, so that means it works.” WRONG! The Skin Authority Celeste Hilling, CEO and Co-founder of Skin Authority, the leading skin care lifestyle company and the host of the syndicated internet radio show, “Skin Health TODAY,” busts myths so you spend your dollars and time wisely. You can also find her on the web at, www.skinauthority.com
We all make better choices when we are educated. So, let’s separate fact from fiction for some common beauty myths:
Myth No. 1: Chocolate, sodas, pizza, etc. cause acne breakouts
Fact: Greasy foods, nor sweets, cause acne. Acne is caused when accumulated dead cells and dried sebum/oil block the skin follicle. The oil is trapped in the follicle and creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, thus causing infection and inflammation that result in breakouts.
Myth No. 2: Moisturizers are bad for acne skin
Fact: Even acne skin needs moisture. When the skin is denied moisture, the sebaceous glands take over and become more active and productive. The excess oil production contributes to more acne.
In addition, the dry flaky skin from lack of moisture can block the follicles and incubate more bacteria that is trapped under the surface. That’s why Hilling recommends regular exfoliation to speed up the cell turnover process. Cell turnover allows the body to produce much needed moisture-bearing properties including hyaluronic acid and helps to plump the skin by churning up elastin and collagen production. A resurfacing agent such as glycolic acid gently dissolves dead surface skin cells signaling the body to replace those cells with new, plump ones. With nightly use, moisture can be increased by 33 percent over eight weeks.
Myth No. 3: You don’t need sunscreen on a cloudy day
Fact: WRONG! UV radiation from the sun comes through the clouds. The
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odds of getting sunburn on a cloudy day are slight, as the UVB rays are short and will not have a direct effect on the skin. However, the UVA rays are very long and penetrate deeply into the dermis layer of the skin, where new skin cells and collagen are formed. When DNA in the skin cell is damaged by UVA radiation, there’s the potential for many types of skin cancer and advanced photo aging.
Using a sunscreen moisturizer combo is the best solution. In one application you can moisturize and protect the skin. I’m proud that Skin Authority’s Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 with a 4-Star UVA rating is the best you can buy. By the summer of 2010 all sunscreens will be required to have the SPF number and a “UVA Star” rating assigned by the FDA. One star is minimum protection, four stars is maximum.
Myth No. 4: Sun tanning the face will clear acne
Fact: Sun tanning the face may disguise acne temporarily, but the heat can be stimulating and contribute to the production of excess oil. The UV radiation from the sun will cause more potential long-term damage to the skin than any slight benefit that may be gained. The other risk for acne skin is the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by the breakout. When this area is exposed to the sun, it darkens and areas that were once red spots are now dark brown and difficult to hide and eliminate.
Myth No. 5: If it’s expensive, it must work. If it’s a bargain, it must be a great deal
Fact: Don’t buy products based on price. Just because a product is expensive, does not mean it’s amazing. On the other hand, a product that costs less may not be a bargain that will work for you.
Instead of shopping by price, evaluate the concentration of active ingredients and ensure any treatment product has a pH below four. The human skin ranges from 4.5-5.5 pH. A treatment product should be below the pH level of the skin for maximum penetration.
11.22.09 @ 3:53 pm
Great information. I think too often people forget how important sunscreen is…everyday. Skin is the largest organ in the body and more attention needs to be paid to it, thanks for posting this!
12.15.09 @ 11:40 pm
I have heard that if you pick at pimples the oil in your hands spread themn to make more pimples and blackheads. is this true? Thanks Lynda noel
12.17.09 @ 10:49 am
I have tried many things to try and minimize my acne and blackheads. What is a good way to get rid of my blackheads because they never seem to go away?
12.21.09 @ 12:56 pm
I recently tried Greensations Thermaskin. It’s a spray made with capsaicin and caffeine. Capsaicin is from hot peppers and was hesitant to try it at first, but this doesn’t burn. I first read about it on Truthinaging.com and they called it the Holy Grail of itchy irritated skin. This stuff really works. It stopped my dry itchy skin overnight and my acne and rosacea was gone in days. Do you know why hot peppers and caffeine seem to work so well? I’ve never had anything work like this Greensation stuff - EVER!