On my way to my monthly facial appointment, I was wondering what my next blog topic should be about - when it hit me! There are a lot of common skincare myths going around, and I think it's time we put some of them to rest.
Consulting a Pro
Who could be better to answer my questions than my good friend, and esthetician, Mary Scott! She has been working on my skin for several years, and I believe she is the reason I don't look my age - which will be 44, in a couple of weeks. Eeeeek! Hey, I still get carded... ok, sometimes!
Being in my mid 40s, and in the makeup biz, I always want to put my best face forward, because I believe that makeup and skincare go hand in hand. I know not everyone can get to a facialist every month, sometimes I can't either... But, these common misnomers corrected will help pave the way to skin salvation.
Myth 1: If you wash your face too much you will break out.
Fact:If you are oily then definitely wash your face, because oils break you out! Mary also says to use ice for inflammation over your face. Great tip!
Myth 2: Manual scrubs will get your skin clean and clear.
A lot of us think that if you wash your face with manual scrubs that have rotating brushes, and/or washcloths, your face will be cleaner and your spots will improve. This is not true!
Fact:If you scrub with these items your hyper pigmentation will get worse because the skin will attain mini scratches from the process, which in turn will get darker over time. Doing a chemical peel is a much better solution.
Tip: If you are washing off makeup from your face with your hands then wash two times, and make sure all the face wash is gone. Don't forget your hairline.
Myth 3: Sunscreen - the higher the SPF the less you need to apply throughout the day.
Fact:No matter what the SPF, you have to apply it every 40 minutes due to it naturally wearing off. Applying a SPF 30 a few times while out in the sun is a much better option than applying a SPF 70 once for the day.
Myth 4: Spot treat a pimple or hyper pigmentation.
Fact:If you spot treat, you will more than likely burn the area. Use a small amount all around instead. It uses less product and will not cause the area to burn.
Myth 5: A makeup remover wipe alone is enough.
Fact:A makeup remover wipe easily clears away a lot of makeup, dirt and oil, but it is still a good idea to wash your face with your hands after to be extra sure your face is clean.
Bonus Tip
ANTI-AGING CREAMS...
Only use anti-aging face creams around your eyes if they do NOT contain any medications, and save money by not having to purchase another skincare product for your eye area.
More Sage Advice
I was also informed that if you are using a skincare regime you should hold onto it for about five to eight weeks before switching things up and introducing something new. If you are starting a home care system, you will want to slowly introduce a product that has medication in it, like Glycolic Acid or Benzo Peroxide. Then once your skin and regime go into maintenance mode, you may start using your medicated products for longer periods of time instead of having to change the product.
The MOST important skin advice is to keep it clean, wear an SPF, drink plenty of winewater, sleep, and if you can use it - ice. If you feel that your skin is still lacking in hydration then you can incorporate an Omega vitamin. If you need help with inflammation then introducing turmeric will help. My recent article on curing beauty hangovers has a few good tips on rehydrating your skin, too. Check it out!
Get in Touch
Thank you to Mary for answering my questions and giving us all such great information to consider. She has certainly opened up my eyes, and hopefully she has helped YOU, too. The truth is out there! I highly recommend her services. She took my lackluster face and made it glow again!
If you have any questions for me or would like to share your tips, please leave a comment below and I will get back in touch with you!
Heather Coopersmith
With almost two decades as a professional makeup artist working on film projects, tv shows, photo shoots and weddings, LA based Heather Coopersmith brings some serious skills and knowledge to the Glad Lash Blog with her guest posts. Heather sees her art (and her hair!) as a creative outlet, and says "My world is a visual experience and I want to make you a part of it!" We're super excited to have Heather brightening up our world. You can reach out to Heather on Instagram @makeupthebride
