Skin Care Myths Explained

By Lee Peterson

There are so many myths about proper skin care, that it's
scary. From old wife's tales about preventing stretch marks
during pregnancy to what's mandatory for proper cleansing,
the falsehoods that are taken for granted have most
dermatologists shaking their heads in discord. According to
many skin care specialists, some of these myths can actually
lead to skin damage. Here we dispel five of the common fishy
tales regarding skin care.

1. Prepare your skin for summer sun on a tanning bed.
Tanning beds are dangerous because of the concentrated UVA
rays they emit. These are the same rays you get from the sun
that cause premature aging and skin cancer. Getting a light
tan on the sun bed does not protect your skin from further
damage, it just means you have already exposed it to harmful
rays. Tanning does not produce more melanin in the skin, it
just brings it to the surface.

2. Application of olive oil can prevent pregnancy stretch
marks. Stretch marks are caused when the sub-surfaces of the
dermis split, usually due to expansion of the skin beyond
its elasticity ability. This can occur during pregnancy or
because of excessive weight gain. There are no topical
preparations that will prevent this scarring from occurring.
A healthy diet, hydration and regular exercise are the best
ways to ensure your dermis remains healthy and retains its
elasticity.

3. Increasing the SPF means you can stay out in the sunshine
much longer. This is truly an unsafe belief. A sunscreen
with an SPF of 15 will block approximately 94% of UV rays.
Increasing to an SPF of 40 will only block 97% of UV rays.
Increasing the SPF does not significantly increase the
protection. What's more important is to ensure the sun block
you purchase protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Another
must is to apply the protection before you venture out in
the sun and then reapply sun screen every couple of hours,
regardless of whether you got wet or not.

4. You don't need sunscreen if you have dark skin. A darker
skin tone, whether a Mediterranean olive-toned complexion or
the skin tone of a person of color, does not give the person
extra protection from the sun. It only means that they have
an increased level of melanin. Although this does decrease
the risk of skin cancer from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of
the sun, it is only a slight decrease, and people with
darker skin tones must use sunscreen and take the same
precautions as those with a fairer complexion.

5. Eating chocolate will give you acne. Acne is not caused
by anything you eat. Acne occurs when the dead cells that
your skin sheds stick together and block gland openings.
This causes a back up of the oils that naturally occur in
your skin. Bacteria on the skin react to this and make the
condition worse. One type of food is not going to cause
acne, but a healthy diet will promote a healthier skin and
body.

How To Reduce Dark Circles Under The Eyes Naturally

One of the dreaded overnight surprises is dark under eye
circles. Looking in the mirror and seeing those when you are
in a hurry in the morning can give you a fright. Learn to
combat this pesky problem naturally and save some money.

Why do we have to put up with under eye circles? Many people
don't know the causes. Not getting enough sleep is the first
potential cause that comes to mind. Stress can bring on
sleeplessness and other conditions that can lead to under
eye circles. Dark circles are one sign that the body isn't
getting the time it needs while you sleep to repair itself.

Don't forget the water that flows so freely from our eyes
through a variety of emotional states. Crying, especially at
night, can cause the tissues to retain the fluid leading to
puffiness as well as dark circles.

Here are a few ways to reduce that look without chemicals.

1. Use cucumbers. You don't have to visit a high class spa
to get the benefits. Cool cucumber slices reduce puffiness
and fluid around the eyes. The juices lighten the skin under
the eyes. Apply thin cucumber slices to closed eyes for 10
minutes. Toss them in a salad when you're done.

2. Potato slices are good for under eye circles as well. Who
ever heard of using potatoes? In old fashioned remedies,
potatoes were used to draw out impurities. Here, use thin
raw potato slices (washed first). Apply them to your eyes
for about 20 minutes. The circles will get lighter.

3. Bananas. They are great to eat and now they can work
wonders for the outside as well as the inside. Create a
puree using bananas. When you are ready for bed, apply some
of the puree under your eyes like you would a cream. The
potassium in the banana helps balance the amount of water in
your skin. You'll see those dark circles disappear or at the
least, they will be lightened significantly.

4. Chamomile tea bags. Use chamomile tea to calm your spirit
and your skin. Cold or warm tea bags will do the trick. Cool
them in the fridge for 20 minutes or so or just let them
warm on a plate. Lay back and hold the tea bags on your eyes
for about 10 minutes.

5. Water. Drinking water will never go out of style. Your
body is 90 percent water. Dark circles can evolve from a
poorly watered body. The usual daily dose is at least eight
glasses. Drinking your water (flavored or plain) can stop
dark circles in their tracks.

6. Change your diet. If you are not eating properly, your
body will show it. Lack of vital nutrients and minerals can
manifest itself with dark patches on your skin including
under your eyes.

7. Dark circles and lack of moisture. Keep skin hydrated
from the outside as well. Using a daily moisturizer with
Vitamin E (avocado and nut ingredients) keeps skin supple.
For a more natural application, use avocado puree or almond
oil.

Dark circles are not how we want to put our best face
forward. Get rid of them naturally, without harsh chemicals.

These 5 Chemicals Are A Danger To Your Skin

Skincare products boast a lot of claims these days. Some of
these products however, contain substances that may not
agree with your skin and could cause problems. Before
purchasing one of the many beauty products on the market,
check to see if they contain any chemicals from the list
below.

1. Alcohols: Alcohol is a drying agent. If you have dry skin,
alcohol will make your skin feel even drier. Alcohols go by
many names so look closely at the label for words ending in
-ol. Drying agents will further strip your skin and hair of
necessary moisture.

2. Parabens: What are these products? It is a chemical that
inhibits the growth of bacterial in products like lotions
and creams. When we pour or pump lotion from the bottle, our
skin may come in contact with the top. It is a potential
source of contamination to the product especially if several
people use it. Parabens work to stop that, but can cause
skin irritations in many users.

3. Perfumes: Companies work hard to produce a new scent that
people will like. Even though you may like the smell, it can
cause skin irritations or allergies if the right chemicals
are mixed together. A rule of thumb is to avoid skincare
products that are scented. Look for words like
hypoallergenic when buying skincare products.

4. Phthalate: Look at the ingredient list on your lotions
and soaps the next time you are in the store. If you see the
word phthalate (pronounced thal-ate), put it back. These
chemicals have a poor reputation and they are harmful to
animals.

5. Dyes: Ever wonder where the color comes from in your
skincare products? It adds flare to the packaging to entice
the consumer but it does more than that. Read your labels.
Dyes can dry out your skin or cause rashes and other nasty
skin irritations for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Reading labels is important. The more that you know about
what you are buying, the less likely you are to purchase a
skincare product containing one of these chemicals. Since
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate
skincare products, it is up to us to police them.

We hope that manufacturers wouldn't sell us a bad bill of
goods but it happens more often than you think. The only
thing that these manufacturers are required to do is list
ingredients on the label according to how much is included.
Even with skincare products claiming to be all-natural,
check the label to validate their claim.