"The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog"

Beauty Myth Busted: The Higher the SPF, the Better

Since I'm a licensed esthetician, I'm fully aware of and well-versed on the subject of protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays.  I wear a daily SPF without fail and my skin thanks me for it.  I'm 37 years old and I barely have a wrinkle.  Friends who are years younger than me (and who never wear their SPF no matter how much I lecture them) look years OLDER than me!  Anyway, I digress...

 
Skin Scan photo revealing hidden sun damage

One of these friends recently asked me if she should buy an SPF30 or an SPF50 for a trip to the Bahamas.  She shot me a look of confusion when I told her to go for the SPF30 instead.  She wanted to know why I would recommend a LOWER SPF.

Here's what I told her:  Typically, most SPF's only protect the skin from UVB (burning) rays, but the most damage to the skin comes from UVA (aging) rays.  A person needs a broad spectrum SPF that will protect from both types of rays, plus it needs to contain antioxidants to shield the skin from free radical damage.  An SPF product should contain both chemical and physical blockers.

A higher SPF gives a person a false sense of security as well.  One would assume that an SPF50 will give 20x's more sun protection than an SPF30, right?  That's not true; it's a myth.  An SPF50 has only about 2% more protection than an SPF30, yet manufacturers have to add pounds and pounds more chemicals to make an SPF50.  This exposes your body to more potentially harmful ingredients which isn't good either.

People think they can stay in the sun much longer without damage occuring when using a higher SPF.  The fact of the matter is that SPF's need to be reapplied every 90 to 120 minutes during sun exposure and even more frequently when water and perspiration are present.

Your best bet for sunscreen- use a lower SPF but apply it more frequently.  Look for products that offer UVA & UVB protection plus antioxidants.  Apply your SPF BEFORE going out into the sun (everyday) and apply it thoroughly; not just a few smears or spritzes here and there.  Your skin will thank you and so will your wallet because you won't be spending gobs of cash on the latest anti-aging products!

MYTH: The Higher the SPF, the Better.
VERDICT: BUSTED!

Related Posts: Beauty Myth Busted: Sun Exposure Will Improve Acne
Stay Younger Looking By Staying Away From Indoor Tanning Beds

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

Beauty Myth Busted: Sun Exposure Will Improve Acne

You've probably heard at some point in your life that if you get a suntan and you've got acne, it will improve. 

This myth is completely FALSE.  Yes, getting some sun exposure can temporarily hide the appearance of acne for awhile, but you'll be seriously damaging your skin in the process.  Plus, sun exposure can deepen the look of acne scars and other forms of pigmentation that are already on your skin.

The temporary improvement in your acne after sun exposure is due to the skin being dried out.  However, your skin WILL rebound and start producing MORE oil to combat the dryness and dehydration.  More oil eventually leads to more breakouts as sebum is a source of food for the bacteria that causes acne (P.acnes).

Your best bet? Stay out of the sun.  If that's just not possible, then be sure to wear a daily SPF that is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.

MYTH: Sun exposure will improve your acne.
VERDICT: BUSTED!

Related Posts: Beauty Myth Busted: Pores That "Open and Close"

Want more beauty myths busted?  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

Beauty Myth Busted: Tweezing Your Brows Makes Them Grow Back Thicker

I was recently asked this question by a friend over a casual lunch: "Is it true that tweezing my brows will make them grow in thicker?"

I thought this was an important question to address right here on my blog as a Busted Beauty Myth.  Tweezing or plucking your brows will NOT make them grow in thicker.  Hair follicles don't multiply themselves.  However, if you're not tweezing correctly, hairs can grow back in pretty wild looking.  This can make it appear that they're 'bushier' and thicker to some degree. 

Tweezing or plucking actually creates scar tissue in the follicle wall, eventually preventing any new hair growth from occuring over time.  Be sure to tweeze the right way by angling the tweezers and pulling the hair out in the same direction as the growth.  You may want to save your tweezing time for right after a shower.  The warm water from the shower helps to soften up the follicles making it easier for the hair to pop out.

Tame your brows and keep them in place by simply spritzing a little hair spray onto a spoolie brush.  This will accomplish 2 tasks in one:  smoothing the hair into place and keeping it there without spending big bucks on brow-taming products!

MYTH: Tweezing brows makes them grow back thicker.
VERDICT: BUSTED!

Want more beauty myths busted?  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

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-The Mineral Makeup Coach

Beauty Myth Busted: Pores That "Open and Close"

Happy Monday!  This morning I was inspired to create a new category for this blog called: Beauty Myths...Busted!  The inspiration came from a friend who asked me if getting a facial would help 'open her blocked pores'.  It was at that moment when the light bulb went off over my head.  I decided it was time to debunk some of the bull that's been circulating around the beauty world.

  How many times have you heard this?  Steaming the face will 'open' the pores.  Or, what about this: Splashing cold water on the face or using a toner after cleansing will help to 'close' the pores.  Chances are you've probably heard both statements at one time or another.

Well, the truth is pores DO NOT open and close.  Pores (the opening to the follicles) do not have muscles in order to do this.  Facial steaming simply hydrates the surface of the skin, making it more 'flexible' to work with; especially if extractions need to be performed.  Using a cold water splash or toner makes the capillaries constrict giving a temporary tightening sensation to the skin.  If you've ever done a homemade egg white masque on yourself, you know the feeling I'm talking about.

So, the next time you hear this beauty myth, tell 'em you know better because you read The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog!

MYTH: Pores can open and close
VERDICT: BUSTED!

Want more beauty myths busted?  Subscribe to The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog today.

If you enjoy reading The Mineral Makeup Coach Blog, please feel free to share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/5eqd9q.

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Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach