Skin pores cannot open and close like doors; the pores on your skin are openings that allow sebum to flow to the surface of the skin keeping it supple and soft. Sometimes, they appear larger in size due to the accumulation of dead skin cells that have clogged them. To remove the dead cells, exfoliate your skin gently.

Myth Expensive products are the best

The price of the product has little to do with safety. Many skincare products available in the market contain chemicals that are harmful to the skin. This does not mean that you stop buying all products. I recommend picking products that contain natural and organic ingredients and traditional herbs.

Myth Poor hygiene causes acne

Acne isn’t caused by a dirty face. Acne may be caused by clogged pores and bacteria that may be present below the surface of your skin which may not come off by washing your face. Dirt and grime can pile up but they do not clog pores. The main culprits behind clogging of pores are dead skin cells combined with sebum. Unfortunately, scrubbing alone does not unclog the pores. On the contrary, scrubbing irritates your skin and makes it worse. The most effective way is to cleanse your face is with a mild, non-irritating cleanser twice a day.

Myth Chocolates and fried, fatty food can cause acne

Fried and fatty foods are unhealthy as they are high in fat and cholesterol that can clog your arteries. However, there is no scientific proof regarding these foods causing acne. Research has shown that dark chocolate is beneficial to your heart and there is no proof of it causing acne. Certain foods like milk, which is rich in calcium, or shrimps, which has high iodine content could possibly worsen or aggravate acne whereas high amounts of refined sugar may aggravate acne and skin ageing.

Myth Make-up causes acne

Not all make-up is bad for your skin. You need to make the right choices and choose products that are skin-friendly. Look for the words “hypoallergenic” and “non-comedogenic” on the labels before purchasing your make-up products. There are also products containing Benzoyl Peroxide which is effective in acne treatment.

Myth All creams with natural ingredients are safe but only marginally effective

Many natural ingredients are quite effective. Coconut oil and cream, for instance, penetrate the skin very effectively and double the moisture levels in just 12 hours. They strengthen the skin’s natural lipid layer and improve skin texture remarkably within two months. Aloe vera is known to soothe inflamed skin after a sunburn. Hence, natural ingredients can be scientifically and therapeutically very effective too.

Myth What I eat is unimportant for my skin as I have a good cleansing routine

What you put inside your body is just as important for skin as your topical care. By now there is enough research to suggest that sugar causes acne and skin ageing; dairy promotes inflammation while whole grains, carrots and tomatoes keep the skin youthful. So learn how to eat your way to beauty and avoid foods that hurt your skin.

Myth Once you find products that suit your skin, never change them

Skin types are dynamic and keep changing. Do not blindly continue to use the same product; check your skin type especially during seasonal changes and at the time of travelling so as to avoid skin problems. Also, in my opinion no single product is sufficient and its best to mix cosmeceuticals to make a cocktail best suited for our skin. But consult your dermatologist before combining products.

Myth Dark-skinned people are safe from sun damage and skin cancer risks

It’s true that those with brown skin have more melanin which offers protection against UV rays, but they are more prone to moles. And abnormal moles are predecessors for melanoma. Hence in a way they also have a risk of skin cancer.

Myth Let the skin breathe and hence do not apply any creams at night

Apart from a sunscreen, the most important cosmetic—for all ages from late teens till the end of our life—is the night cream. A good night cream that is suitable for your skin type nourishes the skin and leads to the desired suppleness. Also, as the skin is relaxed and unexposed to the pollution/stress at night, the free radical damage of the daytime gets reversed by a night cream. Apply it before sleeping no matter how you are.

The post 10 widely held misconceptions about skincare appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

The best strategy against this is encouraging photoprotection [nature’s mechanism to minimise damage to the body when exposed to UV radiation]. Towards that, it’s important to know the correct usage of sunscreens. Before we discuss that, let’s quickly understand how the different radiations affect our skin.

Ultra-violet radiation

UV rays or ultra-violet radiation are harmful rays emitted by the sun. These rays are divided into different energy levels from shortest to longest wavelengths: UVA and UVB.

UVA

UVA rays penetrate deepest into the skin and are often referred to as the ‘ageing rays’. In high doses, these rays damage the underlying collagen causing darkening, pigmentation and acceleration of the ageing process. Skin affected by the UVA rays looks scaly, dry, wrinkled and leathery with dark patches.

UVB

UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburns and are often referred to as the “burning” rays.

What are sunscreens and how do they help

Any substance or material that protects the skin from UV radiation can be termed as a sunscreen. Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. Since they play such an important role in your skincare, everyone—men, women and children—should use them throughout the year irrespective of the season.

Sunscreens must be used in conjunction with other safety steps for optimal sun protection. These measures include limiting outdoor activity during peak exposure time [11am to 3 pm] when the sun’s rays are the strongest and most harmful; wearing adequate clothing; sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat. However, such protection isn’t enough at all times, so your best bet, and one that is quick and easy to protect your skin from the sun, is using sunscreen.

Selecting your sunscreen

Based on your personal liking, select from the range of sunscreen lotions, gels, ointments, wax sticks and sprays.

• While lotions and gels work best for oily skin, while cream applications are ideal for dry skin.
• Products with higher Sun Protection Factor [SPF] may contain higher sunscreen oils, accounting for the occlusive greasy feel [and breakouts in people with oily skin].
• Nowadays sunscreens come with a wide combination of elements—antioxidants, fairness ingredients or hydrating moisturising ingredients—incorporated in them. Choose one that is best for you. If you are unsure about the combination that is right for your skin type, consult a dermatologist.
• Spray formulations can be used on larger body parts—hands, legs, and back. They are good to use on kids, since kids don’t stay still enough for you to apply a lotion.
• Sunscreen wax sticks are usually for lips.
• In case you’re allergic to certain skin products, go for Para Amino Benzoic Acid-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic sunscreens.

How to apply a sunscreen

Using inadequate sunblock is the biggest mistake we make; most people use only 25 – 50 per cent of the recommended amount. This is how you need to use sunscreen for maximum benefits:

1. To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, apply a good palm full or about two or three tablespoons per application to all your exposed parts [and not just your face]. Only then will you get adequate protection.
2. If you wear makeup, apply the sunscreen before applying it. In fact, you can even choose one of the numerous SPF foundations available. But if you’re prone to breaking out, choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen [something that
   does produce not aggravate acne] as it will not block the pores.
3. Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly about half an hour before you venture out. This allows the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Pay particular attention to the back of your neck, ears, and the areas of the scalp with thin hair.
4. Perspiration, exercise, swimming and towel-drying removes sun creams from the skin, so reapply every few hours. Even water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied every two or three hours after taking part in water-related activities.
5. Don’t reserve the use of sunscreen only for sunny days. Even on a rainy or cloudy day, up to 80 per cent of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds.

Getting the SPF right

SPF is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. The SPF number indicates the amount of time a person can be exposed to sunlight without getting sunburned. For example, without a sunscreen a person would normally turn red after ten minutes of exposure to the sun.

A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 would allow the same person to multiply that initial burning time by 15, which means it would now take the person 15 times longer to burn, or 150 minutes.

Comprehensive cover

When buying sunscreen remember that not all products protect you from all kinds of sun rays. Hence, use broad spectrum sun protection to stave off photodamage.

Broad spectrum sunscreens have a combination of specific UVA and UVB agents and offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Using sunscreen is not extraordinary; like a facial, it’s fundamental to skincare. If you follow this approach and apply sunscreen the right way, your skin will thank you today and in the years to come.

The post ABC to SPF of sunscreens appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.