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Top Ten Skin Myths

The topic of skin care is no different, with a proliferation of myths going back as far as ancient Egypt. Even now, with the many advances in dermatologic science and skin care products, many of them still abound.

Below, we've revealed some of the most common skin-care myths- and the truth behind them.

10) MYTH:   Acne is caused by dirt.

REALITY: Surface dirt isn't the problem; neither is surface oil. The main culprit is the combination of skin scales, oil and bacteria that reside inside your follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne occurs due to sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria clogging your pores. The dark color of blackheads isn't dirt, but rather the coloring of the dead cells at the top of the clogged pores.

Although good hygiene is important for healthy skin, washing your face too often can actually irritate your skin by drying it out. Then, as the oil glands continue secreting oil through irritated skin, acne can actually worsen.

Deep Therapeutic Cleanser by ProCyte and Facial Cleanser II by MD Forté are some of the many excellent products DermStore carries to help eliminate blackheads and clean deep inside pores.

9)

REALITY: Untrue. Keeping your skin balanced and clean is the goal, not drying the skin out. Oil production in the skin is a natural and vital part of its overall maintenance. If you dry the skin too much, it can become irritated and scaly while remaining oily. This irritation and over-drying often contributes to acne as the oil becomes trapped beneath the dry, flaky layer and becomes a source of inflammation.

There is a difference between oiliness and hydration. Just because your skin is oily doesn't mean that it doesn't require some moisture. Moisture on the skin helps it stay supple, which is why it's so important to keep the outer layer of skin both exfoliated and moisturized.

Many commercial oily skin cleansers have a tendency to be a bit harsh and drying on the skin. The skin should never feel tight or dry or burn after washing. The "Oily Skin Regimen Kit" by MD Formulations is a great system for cleaning oily skin without drying it out, as well as "Skin System III" by SkinCeuticals. These and many other excellent products for oily skin are available at DermStore.

8)

REALITY: Dermatology textbooks and research articles do not support the concept of sun exposure helping acne. Still, many dermatologists do believe that sun exposure helps acne and at least masks it somewhat. The fact is, however, that a suntan is really just a nice word for "sun damage," and while it might temporarily mask your acne, continued overexposure to the sun can cause irritation that actually worsens the condition. Also, extended exposure can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles and fine lines. Clearly it is better to treat acne with methods other than sun exposure.

There is no scientific link between sun and acne prevention, so always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen with at least an SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won't clog pores.

7)

REALITY: While a cool cucumber may feel relaxing on the eyes, there is no special ingredient that reduces bags. Rather, the cooling effect of the water in the cucumbers, combined with increased humidity, reduces swelling.

Some products, however, do contain cucumber extracts-which in high concentration can help hydrate skin.

6)

REALITY: The ingredients used to make commercial soap into a hard bar are usually too harsh for your face. The cleansing agents, particularly the ones often combined with antibacterial compounds and formulated as deodorant soaps, are generally too drying and irritating for most skin types. While it may feel squeaky clean, the reality is that you've stripped essential oils and moisture off the surface of your skin. You don't have to strip everything off in order to get a good, general cleanse. When your skin is stripped, its left vulnerable until the proper pH is restored.

The best way to clean your skin is with a water-soluble cleanser. However, if you prefer the feel of a bar rather than lotion, you might try "The Bar" by Dermalogica or La Roche-Posay's "Toleriane Gentle Cleansing Bar". Both are soap-free and carried by DermStore.

5)

REALITY: Contrary to what your mother might tell you, makeup doesn't suffocate the skin. If that were true, there would be a lot of ill women in the world. Your skin is continually nourished from the oxygen and nutrients carried in the blood; no measurable amount of oxygen is absorbed from the outside air.

Though a heavy cream or foundation can hinder elimination and absorption functions to a degree, they don't inhibit actual oxygen nourishing the skin. The best advice in this regard is to have a good cleansing regimen; use natural, quality products; and try not to sleep in your makeup.

4)

REALITY:   This old myth probably started because once the slickness of lip emollients wears off, your lips feel may actually feel drier in comparison, so you feel the need to keep applying more-thus feeling "addicted." However, you're not addicted to the lip balm, just to the sensation of wearing it.

The skin covering the lips is relatively thin, making it susceptible to anything that draws out moisture. Also licking them too often may cause them to chap more; digestion-aiding enzymes make saliva a poor moisturizer. Make sure to apply balm or gloss before lips chap or crack.

3)

REALITY:   Of course, most companies would prefer that you use their brands solely, but this is certainly no guarantee of proper skin care. Many lines make excellent products, but not every product from a particular line is necessarily right for your skin.

As far as creating skin problems, it's the ingredients, not the mixing of brands that may cause skin reactions. Also, be aware that different labels may be using the same manufacturers or ingredients. For instance, if your skin reacts to glyceryl monostearate (a common emulsifier) in product A, your skin will react just as badly to glyceryl monostearate in product B. That's why it's important for you to find items that work for YOU and pick and choose depending on the result, not the brand name.

2)

REALITY:   Hypoallergenic lotions and cosmetics are generally safe, and less likely to cause a reaction, but that doesn't mean there isn't some possibility. While the FDA requires that all products sold as cosmetics go through some kind of allergy testing; the tests are overseen by the companies themselves and are not regulated. And even if a formula has been tested thoroughly, there is still a possibility that your skin could have a reaction.

While Hypoallergenic is a great marketing tool, it is not necessarily a guarantee.

1)

REALITY:   This is one of the oldest wives' tales of all. A pore is an opening in the skin that allows sebum to flow to the surface in order to keep the skin supple. However, they do not open and close like doors. If your pores appear larger than usual, it may be due to dead skin cells that have built up in the pore. This is where exfoliation comes in, as it helps remove dead skin cells and keeps the pores looking smaller and cleaner.

Also be aware that picking and squeezing on your pores can stretch and scar them. If you are prone to clogged pores, you might consider using Deep Therapeutic Cleanser by ProCyte or "AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser" by Murad. Both are available at DermStore.

Article posted 12/29/2003.

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Skin System III - Clarify Kit by SkinCeuticals $156.00

AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad $35.00

Toleriane Gentle Cleansing Bar by La Roche-Posay $9.95