Five Skin Care Myths You Should Stop Believing.
Have you ever spent countless hours and money on skincare routines, only to find that your skin is still not quite where you want it to be? You're not alone.
The beauty industry is saturated with products and advice, but not all of it is trustworthy. In fact, many common skincare or ingredient "beliefs" are simply not true. It's time to clear up the confusion and debunk these myths once and for all. So, let's dive in and uncover the truth about skincare and skincare ingredients.
* "Chemical Free Claims"... This is probably my biggest pet peeve. There is NO such thing as a "chemical free" product. Anyone who ever paid attention in science class knows that atoms and chemicals make up EVERYTHING. From water to windshield fluid. The food you eat, the water you drink, the air you breathe, and yes your skin care and hair care products contain chemicals. Do you know why chemists don't trust atoms? They make up everything -- just like chemicals. I just had to put that pun in there.
* Natural products are always safer: Just because a product is labeled "natural" doesn't mean it's completely free from harmful ingredients. Some natural ingredients can even be irritants or allergens to certain individuals. For example while many people are concerned about parabens and cancer they may not realize that natural ingredients such as essential oils can potentially contain carcinogenic ingredients such as asarone, estragole (methyl chavicol), safrole and
methyleugenol. Fortunately cosmetic chemists, formulators, certified aromatherapist, and even the FDA, are aware of what ingredients are safe, dermal and use limits, and work to keep cosmetics safe. This means there are dermal limits for certain essential oils, testing for raw materials, and safety stipulations for any ingredient that goes into a cosmetic.
* Products with a lot of foam are better cleansers: I love bubbles and my personal favorite cleansing product is my Be Fresh Foaming Face Wash, but the truth is, the amount of foam a cleanser produces doesn't necessarily indicate how effective it is at removing dirt and impurities from the skin. Cleansers can do their job without lots of foam and it's important to choose a cleanser that meets your personal skin care needs. Cleaning power can come from surfactants -- which includes both bubbly surfactants (like those in foaming face and body washes) and emulsifiers (which can be found in cream cleansers). It can also come from oil, which can help dissolve the oily buildup on the face and be wiped away or washed away in the case of oil to milk type cleansing products which incorporate both oil and surfactant.
* Products that claim to be "anti-aging" will completely erase wrinkles: While some products may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, no product can completely reverse the aging process. Our skin and bodies simply change as we age. But we can do things to support our "wise skin". Products that contain actives such as vitamins, botanicals, peptides can help support more radiant, healthy looking complexion. And what we eat, avoid overexposure to sun, and healthy lifestyle choices go a long way towards keeping our skin looking it's best. I say enjoy the skin you're in at every age. Take care of it and embrace your beauty at every stage of life.
* You can "detox" your skin: There's no scientific evidence that supports the idea that your skin needs to be "detoxed." Your skin naturally detoxes itself by shedding dead skin cells and producing oil. By eating a healthy diet, getting enough seep, and doing things to support overall wellness you'll support skin health. If you're looking to support your skin internally I recommend a tea that includes burdock root and dandelion root. It's actually supporting your liver, blood, and kidneys The skin is thought to be a secondary detoxification organ. But often healthy inside means healthy outside. So yes you can put product on your skin, but healthy skin begins within, with healthy diet, adequate sleep, and healthy practices.
As a scientist and cosmetic formulator I love digging in to understanding how ingredients and products work and then sharing with others.
Are there any other skin care claims or ingredients your curious about?
aromatic blessings, Tricia
