Monthly Archives: August 2009

Sunscreen Myths The Truth Behind Them!

Posted for Sun Tanning On August 29, 2009

Hi,

Sunscreens are an essential ingredient of any skin care regimen. However, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding their use. Here are some of the most popular myths that I have come across regarding sunscreens.

Myth: People with Dark Skin don\’t need to use Sunscreens!

Fact: False!
Regardless of the complexion, all people need to wear sunscreen because all sorts of complexion can burn under sunlight. People with dark skin have more melanin and therefore don\’t need a higher SPF as light-skinned people. However, the extra melanin contents cannot protect against the damaging UV rays. They are just as prone to sun damage, premature aging and skin cancer as anyone else. People with dark skin need to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Myth: Sunlight can give you amazing Highlights

Fact: False!
The sun is as bad for your hair as it is for your skin. The highlights that you get on your hair because of sun exposure and are actually signs of sun damage. The hair would become dry and lose all its sheen and luster if exposed to sun for long periods of time. This would further lead to breakage. Therefore, use UV shielding hair care products whenever you venture out in the sun. Try to wear a hat too.

Myth: Tanning can zap zits!

Fact:False!
Even though tanning can camouflage the redness of a pimple and make them dry faster, exposure to sunlight would worsen the condition and promote more acne and breakouts. The dead skin cells that clog the skin pores get accumulated on the skin surface. The sun subsequently dehydrates the skin which prompts the oil glands to produce more oil. This would lead to new pimples.

Myth: Anything higher than SPF 30 is not necessary!

Fact: False!
SPF 30 guarantees 96% protection while SPF 50 guarantees 98% protection. The difference is only marginal. That is why people feel that anything higher than SPF 30 is not worth the price and added chemicals

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Make Up Tips For Sensitive Skin

Posted for Skin Care On August 26, 2009

Hi,

Women with sensitive skin have the hardest time finding beauty products and cosmetics for themselves. This is because their skin is highly reactive and finding products that don\’t irritate the skin is a challenge altogether.

However, there are still ways you can look beautiful even if you have super sensitive skin. Here are some tips.

Avoid Problem Ingredients
If certain cosmetics and make-up products cause allergic reactions or skin irritations, create a list of its ingredients. When you have done it for a couple of products, you will have a good idea about what ingredients react adversely on your skin. Just make sure you avoid them in future.

Do a Patch Test
Before using new products, make sure you do a patch test. Just apply a small amount of the product on your inner elbow or wrists and observe the skin for 24 hours. If there is no irritation, you can safely use the product. But if there is, you should absolutely avoid it.

Check for Labels
While shopping for cosmetics and skin care products, looks for labels like \’Hypoallergenic\’ and \’Fragrance-Free\’.
Hypoallergenic means the products do not cause any skin allergies
Fragrance-free products do not contain any added fragrances that may cause any skin irritations.

Throw Away Old Cosmetics
No matter how much you love the pink eye shadow that your best friend gifted you on the last day of college, just throw it away! Using cosmetics that have exceeded their expiration period may be very harmful for the skin.

Prefer Black
Women with sensitive skin should stick to using black eyeliner and mascara. This is because they contain the least potential irritants as compared to colored varieties. Also, eye shadows in earthy tones like beige, cream etc. have fewer pigments than darker shades and are less likely to irritate the eyes.

Avoid Waterproof Cosmetics
Waterproof cosmetics stay longer on the skin. But to remove them, you would need to use strong make-up removers. Make-up removers also remove the essential oils of the skin along with the make-up residues and thus can irritate the skin.

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How To Treat Acne Breakouts?

Posted for Acne On August 13, 2009

Hi,

Is there anything more disastrous than waking up in then morning and finding an ugly pimple on your face? The beauty of your face is completely spoiled by the tiny ugly speck. And you cannot even pop it because you may be scarred for life.

Acne and breakouts are a common problem no matter what skin type you have. All of us have encountered acne at some time in life. And if you are not careful in treating breakouts, it could result in scarring, slower recovery time, pigmentation problems and even more breakouts.

Here are some tips to deal with breakouts in a correct way so that you don\’t end up harming your skin.

Never Pop a Pimple
I know how tempting it is and how difficult it is to keep your hands from picking on the pimple. However, just remember that when you pick a pimple, you can end up spreading the bacteria in the surrounding cells and cause inflammations. This can aggravate the situation and slow down the healing process of breakouts.

Treat Early
Once a pimple is fully developed, there is nothing much you can do about it. So, just when you feel a breakout is about to happen or if you spot it at an early stage, start the treatment! You may feel it under your skin or notice the area has become red and itchy. Apply an acne spot treatment that\’ll keep the skin nice and clean. Look for once containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin.

Apply it Correctly
Wash your hands well and just dab a bit of spot treatment to the pimple. Avoid touching it more than you have to.

Avoid Heavy Concealers
Women often tend to hide pimples with a heavy concealer. But it would have severe consequences as well. The heavy concealer can trap the oil and debris within the pore and aggravate the situation.

So, the next time you spot a pimple, don\’t panic. Rather, get started with the treatment there and then and be sure that it’s only a short while before the pimple is gone!

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