Skin MYTHS and FACTS!

Maintaining a nice skin texture isn't easy. People will try all sorts of ways to find the way to a pretty face. But many wouldn't know that which way really works. And today, we're here here to separate real skincare facts from fiction...




Myth: Skin whitening is skin bleaching!
Fact: Most whitening products target pigmentation and spots to even out skin tone, not whiten it by couple of shades. This is done with active ingredients that work safely to stop melanin overproduction, and the ingredients do this by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin.

Try Eucerin White Solution Extra Treatment Serum or Nivea Visage Sparkling White Day Care.

Myth: Pimples are for teenagers!
Fact: You can be in your 20s, and get acne; only this time the culprit is stress and pollution. To clear skin, use a cream with benzoyl peroxide. If that doesn't do the trick, you may need a prescription retinoic acid or a skin-clearing antibiotic.

Try Aiken Spot Away Pimple Cream or Bloop Black Powder Mud Powder Mask.

Myth: It's okay to go to bed with makeup!
Fact:Yes, you can crash with makeup on, but only once or twice a week! Doing it all the time can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. So lather up with cleanser and rinse off with several good splashes - we recommend 10! Residue can also prevent the active ingedients in creams from sinking in and doing their job.

Try Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind.

Myth: Deodarants clogs pores and causes cancer!
Fact: To date, there is no proven link between underarm deodarants and breast cance. As for clogging pores, deodarants with antiperspirants are more likely to clog pores as they work by blocking sweat ducts with a superficial layer. Your best bet is to look for something alcohol-free.

Try Garnier Deo Minerals Silky Smooth.

Myth: Foundation suffocates skin!
Fact: Actually, wearing a layer of makeup helps protect your skin from harmful pollutants in the environment, while non-comedogenic products will help skin stay moist. And all that talk about skipping makeup to let your skin "breath"? Oxygen for your skin is provided by blood vessels, not air!

Try Clinque Supermoisture Makeup.

Myth: Skip sunscreen on cloudy days!
Fact: The rule of thumb is this - whenever you need a flashlight, you don't need sunscreen. Clouds don't filter age-accelerating UVA rays, and even if you're indoors. you'll need sunscreen. Use a stronger one if you're playing sports or at the beach - or even when u're driving.

Try Sunplay Skin Aqua Super Hydration UV SPF50 or ZA True White Day Protector Sunscreen.

Myth: The thicker the moisturiser, the more hydration you get!
Fact: It's all about the ingredients! Rich creams consist of petrolatum and lanolin, which prevent moisture from evaporating. Lighter lotions rely more on humectants like hyaluronic acid to pull moisture into skin. These also help loosen dead skin cells that contribute to a dull complexion. Alternatively, check out intense moisturising masks and serums to give you amazing skin.

Try L'Oreal HydraFresh Water-Plumping Mask or Clinique Superdefense SPF 25.

Myth: Shrink pore with cold water!
Fact: The ugly truth is that it's your genes that determine your pore size, and those with oily skin will have larger pores. For help, look for deep-cleansing cleansers, oil-free products and pore minimisers, but remember that they can only make pores look smaller, but never physically change size.

Try Beaute de Kose Pore Serum.



Sources from: Seventeen Magazine January '10 issue.