Raise your hand if you've ever consulted Google about a skin related issue.
It's okay.
I have too.
With the internet being, you know, the internet, there is a plethora of useful information to be discovered by wandering minds. It is most definitely easier to ask Google about something than to try and find an expert. I will say, though, you should never consider Google as a reliable giver of information. Me being a professional, however, I have taken to Google to discover and answer the questions pondering the internet's mind.
1. Is "skincare" one word?
I, personally, say it's one word simply because that's the way I've always read it. However, it can be two words as well. Don't beat yourself up too hard about this. It's just a word...or words...and most skincare professionals don't care whether its two words or one.
2. Does skincare work?
In short, yes, skincare works. However, chosing the CORRECT skincare is of the utmost importance. If you have dry skin and you use products for oily skin, obviously, they aren't going to perform well. We can get carried away, sometimes, with ads and reviews for all these beautiful products that work so well for people. But the truth is, everyone's skin is different and NO ONE should have the same routine. This is why it's important to familiarize yourself with your own skin and the best ingredients for your skin. If you don't know, ask your esthetician. I promise he or she can help!
3. When does skincare expire?
ALL SKINCARE HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! You should NEVER keep products on hand longer than 18 months unless stated by the manufacturer. (I found a travel tube of Active Moist in my toiletry bag and I swear that thing had to be three years old. ew.) Many skincare products have active ingredients, which have a short shelf-life. Things like retinoids or acids will sometimes have an actual date written on the packaging or bottle telling you when they should be tossed. All products should have a small picture on the back of the bottle that looks like a tiny jar with a number in it.
That number is the number of months you have, after opening, until the product expires. DON'T IGNORE THAT NUMBER! If you're ever in doubt about a product being expired, don't use it. I promise it's not worth the risk.
4. How does skincare work?
In essence, skincare works WITH your body to maintain proper skin function and hydration. There are different ingredients that do different things but all ingredients work to achieve the same purpose, healthy skin. Your body has a natural pH and hormonal system. Sometimes these things get out of wack and cause dryness or breakouts and eventually aging. Skincare works to resolve all of these issues topically. Good skincare is the easiest way to stay looking young forever.
5. What does skincare mean?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines skincare as: the use of cosmetics to care for the skin.
6. Why is skincare important?
The skin is the LARGEST organ in the human body, and it the FIRST organ to show visible signs of aging. Good skincare can make the world of difference in how you overall look and feel. Our bodies are constantly changing and keeping your skin healthy and clear is a vital part of that. Regular visits with you esthetician help you keep your skin as healthy as possible. Plus, Melanoma is some scary stuff.
7. Why does skincare pill?
I would guess that most people don't know what I'm talking abut when I say a product is "pilling". Product pilling happens when your skin decides not to absorb the product you've put on it and it starts turning into weird balls. It's kind of like when your favorite sweater starts getting fuzz balls all over it. Same concept. Skincare pilling happens most often with foundation and primer and super rich night creams. If you're using a silicone based product (there are a lot of silicones in primers), it's going to block any product penetration and things are just going to slide around on top. The problem is, we tend to go pretty ham when we blend out our foundation so everything starts breaking down and you end up with balls of gunk all over our faces. So, how do we avoid this? Stay away from silicones and use a light hand! It's that simple. If that doesn't work, it's probably not the right product for you.
8. What is a skincare essence?
Fortunately for you, I have an entire blog post dedicated to what essences are and the best way to use them. You can read that post, here!
9. When do I do my skincare routine?
Ideally, you would perform customized skincare routines both morning and night with separate products geared for daytime and nighttime. Your richer products would be applied at night ad your lighter-weight products would be applied during the day. It's also good to have a regular facial appointment every 4 to 6 weeks in order to get a deep cleanse and exfoliation that only a professional can provide (this is super important if you have acne prone skin). If you're not apt to spending a lot of time on your skin remember the three golden steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize (morning AND night).
10. How do skincare products affect the environment?
I have to say, I've been watching Crikey! It's the Irwins on Animal Planet pretty much all the time. I would be lying if I said that learning about these endangered animals hasn't made me question my environmental impact. Fortunately for me, the beauty industry has learned a lot and is changing many of their developmental properties to help protect endangered wildlife and our planet in general. There are a large number of companies that are now both Vegan and Cruelty-Free that support the sustainability of our planet. There are also a number of brands that offer recycling programs for your used products. These companies include: Aveda, Lush, Le Labo, Kiehl's, Origins, MAC, Garnier, Tenoverten, Côte, and Lilah B. It's important to know that while packaging, alone, can be harmful to the environment, there are also ingredients that are used in cosmetics that are harmful to the environment.
Here is list of harmful ingredients:
- BHA and BHT (preservative) - deadly to fish, can cause genetic mutations in amphibians
- P-Phenylenediamine (dye) - deadly to multiple aquatic species
- Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP (product elasticity and softening) - deadly to multiple aquatic species and plant plankton
- Triclosan (antibacterial) - has the potential to change the biochemistry off fish, aquatic plants, and amphibians
- Diethanolamine (humectant, emulsifier, and softening agent) -After accumulation in the environment, the chemical reacts with nitrates to form highly carcinogenic nitrosamines, which are fatally toxic to animal plankton, flatworms, fish, crustaceans, amphibians and more.
The good news is, if a product has any of these ingredients, they are listed in the ingredient description on the back of the product.
Taking on the beauty industry and finding the best routine is so hard. There are ingredients and companies and sustainability and many other factors that go into making the best choice for you. If you ever have a question, ask your esthetician! We are a wealth of knowledge and can help you keep your skin in the best shape of your life! Plus, you are always welcome to contact me with any questions you may have.
Peace,
Megan
It's okay.
I have too.
With the internet being, you know, the internet, there is a plethora of useful information to be discovered by wandering minds. It is most definitely easier to ask Google about something than to try and find an expert. I will say, though, you should never consider Google as a reliable giver of information. Me being a professional, however, I have taken to Google to discover and answer the questions pondering the internet's mind.
1. Is "skincare" one word?
I, personally, say it's one word simply because that's the way I've always read it. However, it can be two words as well. Don't beat yourself up too hard about this. It's just a word...or words...and most skincare professionals don't care whether its two words or one.
2. Does skincare work?
In short, yes, skincare works. However, chosing the CORRECT skincare is of the utmost importance. If you have dry skin and you use products for oily skin, obviously, they aren't going to perform well. We can get carried away, sometimes, with ads and reviews for all these beautiful products that work so well for people. But the truth is, everyone's skin is different and NO ONE should have the same routine. This is why it's important to familiarize yourself with your own skin and the best ingredients for your skin. If you don't know, ask your esthetician. I promise he or she can help!
3. When does skincare expire?
ALL SKINCARE HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! You should NEVER keep products on hand longer than 18 months unless stated by the manufacturer. (I found a travel tube of Active Moist in my toiletry bag and I swear that thing had to be three years old. ew.) Many skincare products have active ingredients, which have a short shelf-life. Things like retinoids or acids will sometimes have an actual date written on the packaging or bottle telling you when they should be tossed. All products should have a small picture on the back of the bottle that looks like a tiny jar with a number in it.
4. How does skincare work?
In essence, skincare works WITH your body to maintain proper skin function and hydration. There are different ingredients that do different things but all ingredients work to achieve the same purpose, healthy skin. Your body has a natural pH and hormonal system. Sometimes these things get out of wack and cause dryness or breakouts and eventually aging. Skincare works to resolve all of these issues topically. Good skincare is the easiest way to stay looking young forever.
5. What does skincare mean?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines skincare as: the use of cosmetics to care for the skin.
6. Why is skincare important?
The skin is the LARGEST organ in the human body, and it the FIRST organ to show visible signs of aging. Good skincare can make the world of difference in how you overall look and feel. Our bodies are constantly changing and keeping your skin healthy and clear is a vital part of that. Regular visits with you esthetician help you keep your skin as healthy as possible. Plus, Melanoma is some scary stuff.
7. Why does skincare pill?
8. What is a skincare essence?
Fortunately for you, I have an entire blog post dedicated to what essences are and the best way to use them. You can read that post, here!
9. When do I do my skincare routine?
Ideally, you would perform customized skincare routines both morning and night with separate products geared for daytime and nighttime. Your richer products would be applied at night ad your lighter-weight products would be applied during the day. It's also good to have a regular facial appointment every 4 to 6 weeks in order to get a deep cleanse and exfoliation that only a professional can provide (this is super important if you have acne prone skin). If you're not apt to spending a lot of time on your skin remember the three golden steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize (morning AND night).
10. How do skincare products affect the environment?
Here is list of harmful ingredients:
- BHA and BHT (preservative) - deadly to fish, can cause genetic mutations in amphibians
- P-Phenylenediamine (dye) - deadly to multiple aquatic species
- Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP (product elasticity and softening) - deadly to multiple aquatic species and plant plankton
- Triclosan (antibacterial) - has the potential to change the biochemistry off fish, aquatic plants, and amphibians
- Diethanolamine (humectant, emulsifier, and softening agent) -After accumulation in the environment, the chemical reacts with nitrates to form highly carcinogenic nitrosamines, which are fatally toxic to animal plankton, flatworms, fish, crustaceans, amphibians and more.
The good news is, if a product has any of these ingredients, they are listed in the ingredient description on the back of the product.
Taking on the beauty industry and finding the best routine is so hard. There are ingredients and companies and sustainability and many other factors that go into making the best choice for you. If you ever have a question, ask your esthetician! We are a wealth of knowledge and can help you keep your skin in the best shape of your life! Plus, you are always welcome to contact me with any questions you may have.
Peace,
Megan
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