#socialmediamistakes

Open up your newsfeed on any given day, and you will see at least a post or two about new skincare products or trends, but are they worth the hype? 

1)    The Post: Your friend selling skincare.

Let me get this straight: your friend is awesome, intelligent, and probably selling a reputable skincare line. However, if your friend is not a licensed skincare professional, they may not recommend the correct products for you.

For instance, did you know that sometimes rosacea looks almost exactly like acne? Only a trained professional (Estheticians in Washington State log 700-1200 hours of schooling, that’s 7-13 months) would be able to pinpoint that condition and recommend future action.

The Verdict: For major skin concerns, stick with estheticians and medical professionals for your product recommendations.

2)    The Post: “Natural” is better.

Many skincare lines market “organic” or “natural-ness” to project a more healthy or superior skincare option. “Organic” implies that ingredients used were grown organically, meaning they must be plants.

Plants are great for skincare when used in moderation, but plants are not the primary thing that skin needs. Skin is made of proteins, water, hyaluronic acid, proteins, lactic acid and citric acid. It is not made of plants.

The skin wants products that mimic its own composition, not that of an essential oil cabinet. Essential oils and plant extracts are extremely active compounds which means that they are not good for sensitive skin, as they sometimes cause more inflammation. 

PCA Skin and HydroPeptide both develop products that strategically use botanical extracts to benefit the skin, but not so much as to cause undue inflammation at the expense of being more “natural”.

The Verdict: Look for products free of fragrance, dyes, lanolin, parabens, and not tested on animals, but more fruit per square ounce of product doesn’t make it better.  

3)    The Post: Collagen Supplements

Collagen is a protein, so when you ingest it, it is broken-down similarly to other sources of protein in the diet. Some of those amino acids may end up as collagen in the end, but it’s not going to magically be transported from your stomach to your skin.

The Verdict: A better plan is to focus on protecting healthy collagen structures: eat tons of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and stay away sun, smoking and sugar.