The face is the only part of the body where muscles are attached directly to the skin; there are no facial ligaments and tissue. Constant facial exercise and tugging contribute to additional lines. Actually, wrinkles often form along expression lines caused by facial movements.
Pores are openings in the skin that allow oils (sebum) to reach the surface. If pores are larger, this can be due to dead cells, genetics or scarring from squeezing blemishes.
SPF ratings, soon to be revised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only refer to protection from UVB rays. A person needs sun protection that has chemical and physical blockers, plus antioxidants. A higher SPF also gives a false sense of security and introduces more potentially harmful chemicals to the body. Plus, an SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30. Sunscreens need to be reapplied every 90–120 minutes.
There is a lack of impartial, empirical evidence that the topical application of collagen or elastin can penetrate the dermis, even when using nanotechnology. They can provide moisturization to the epidermis, but only injections are conclusively effective.
5. Preservatives in skin care products are bad.
Preservatives 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. Although there is concern about the use of parabens, the research is not definitive that topical application leads to harmful accumulations. Parabens are found throughout nature; for example, many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, are naturally full of parabens. But further study is needed.
6. Packaging is not important.
Packaging in skin care is vitally important—not for aesthetic reasons—but to protect the effectiveness the ingredients. Wide-mouth jars, transparent containers and pumps that are not airless all pose problems in keeping ingredients safe and potent.
7. Natural and organic products are always better.
Buyer, beware! Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be efficacious. Synthetic compounds can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not lead to an up or down decision about whether a product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good.
8. Using larger quantities of a product will yield better results.
Less is more. Normally, a pea-sized amount of facial product will do the trick. Excessive amounts can cause skin problems and waste money.
9. Blackheads are a caused by improperly cleansed skin.
Blackheads 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.
10. Drying problematic or oily skin clears up acne.
The opposite is true. When skin becomes overly dry, an environment is created in which the skin is signaled that is too dry and produces more oil. Use drying products sparingly, and look to lightly moisture oily skin. The goal is to keep skin balanced.
11. Get a base tan to prevent burning before going on vacation.
Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.
12. All sun damage to skin occurs before 18 years of age.
Sun damage continues to occur throughout life, although recent information suggests less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person is 18.2 It is never too late to protect your skin.
13. Indoor tanning is safe.
The argument that tanning beds and booths do not cause skin mutations that may cause cancerous lesions to develop is patently false. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells.
14. Antioxidants reverse wrinkles.
Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radical formation and are important in helping prevent skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away.
15. Skin damage and signs of aging can be cleared up quickly.
If a product sounds too good to be true, you can bet its claims are false. The damage did not happen overnight, and it cannot be magically repaired. Expect at least three skin cycles—a cycle can be between 21–40 days, depending on age—to begin to see measurable results.
16. All alcohol in skin products is bad.
Some compounds that contain alcohol can act as emollients, which can decrease the skin’s water loss. Cetyl, benzyl and oleyl alcohol are examples of good alcohols. It is important to know what comes before the OH in chemical compounds.
17. Skin repair only happens at night.
A good night’s sleep is certainly helpful to skin health; however, skin repair is ongoing. Inadequate sleep can cause stress, skin puffiness and can slow the natural development of collagen.
18. Skin care products can last three or more years.
Despite a number of claims to the contrary, most skin care products lose a great deal of their potency within 12 months. It is best to use the entire contents within one year because preservatives do not last forever and ingredients can get contaminated with bacteria, or they can evaporate.
19. Strong scrubs, soaps and abrasives are good for your skin.
Be careful how you wash your face. Too much scrubbing or too many abrasive products can remove protective oils, create tiny micro tears and contribute to aging, irritated skin. Less is more, and a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer work well for most people.
20. Vitamin A thins the skin.
Skin can become thin due to the lack of vitamin A because it helps to create new, healthy and normal skin cells. Vitamin A is arguably the most important skin care ingredient, bar none. It is one of the few—if not the only—ingredient that is backed by more than 50 years of objective, scientific research supporting its value.
21. The only form of vitamin C that works is L-ascorbic acid.
L-ascorbic acid only remains in its most potent state for a limited time. A new era in vitamin C formulations, one of the best antioxidants for your skin, has arrived. There are several forms that have been developed that are not water-based, which means they can better penetrate the skin and remain more potent for longer periods of time.
22. There is one antioxidant ingredient that is the best.
Every year, there is a hot, newly discovered antioxidant that is touted as the best, but this is not true. A cocktail of antioxidants provides better results than just one. Seek products containing a plethora of antioxidants.
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