Cosmetic advertising tells us we need oil-free, natural, long-lasting products for our skin. Yet, no governing body regulates what goes onto the cosmetic label. It is left up to the buyer to understand what ‘natural’ means and that can vary from person to person. Why is this important to know? Because cosmetic advertising can be misleading and often only serves to pad the wallets of the cosmetic companies. You need to know about these false claims so you don’t waste your money.
False Claims in Cosmetic Advertising
Oil-Free Is Best for Acne
The majority of women accept that oil clogs pores and have come to believe that it can aggravate acne. Cosmetic companies have capitalized on this belief and now sell products that are oil-free for every part of the face. This includes eyeshadow, which is ludicrous. How many women have ever had acne on their eyelids?
So, don’t worry about the fat-free or oil-free labels. Instead, search for foundation cosmetics that are noncomedogenic or non-acnegenic. These products won’t clog pores. After all, some oils are good for acne sufferers. Tea tree oil kills bacteria that causes acne, and lavender oil is an anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic.
SPF Ratings Don’t Protect You from the Sun
Many companies add sunscreen directly to their cosmetics and lead you to believe that you are protected from the harmful effects of the sun.
Sunscreen works in two different ways. First, there is a physical barrier on the skin which repels UV rays. The second component is a chemical ingredient that can penetrate the skin and generate harmful free radicals. Always check the ingredients. If it contains titanium dioxide, it can exacerbate acne.
The other thing to keep in mind is that dermatologists recommend a teaspoon of SPF 30 sunscreen if you want to prevent sun damage. Most cosmetics with sunscreen have a lower SPF than that and you certainly don’t get a teaspoon of it in your makeup. Your best option for daily sun protection is to apply to face serum with anti-oxidants and concealer.
What is ‘Natural’ Anyway?
Umm… I can think of a lot of ‘natural’ things I don’t want on my face.
So-called organic and natural cosmetics make all sorts of claims and many of them mean nothing. According to the FDA, a product only needs to be 20% natural ingredients to use the term on their label. That means 80% (the majority) is not.
Some natural products, such as lemon and orange oils, while they smell good, can irritate sensitive skin. Also, if you are prone to allergies, natural cosmetics can often trigger an allergic reaction. Always try a product on your wrist before you ever put it on your face.
Fragrance-Free May Not Mean Flavour-Free
It’s not likely that you will eat your cosmetics. However, most people who favor fragrance-free cosmetics do so because of allergies. However, many cosmetics trigger those same allergies because of flavoring substances found in the product.
Also, many manufacturers use masking scents to tone down the smell of fragrant ingredient. Yet, the FDA does not require the inclusion of the masking agents in the list of ingredients. Although the term ‘hypo-allergenic’ means that the likelihood of an allergic reaction is small, you still might react to the masking agents.
Tested By Dermatologists
Cosmetic advertising uses the phrase ‘tested by dermatologists’ to lead us to believe that their products are medically approved. However ‘tested’ does not mean anything other than they tried it. We have no way of knowing if they liked the product or found fault with it anyway. About the only way to get a true dermatologist recommendation is to ask your dermatologist
The professionals at Illuminari MedSpa in Agoura Hills CA have a medical background that allows them to give you expert advice in the area of holistic health and beauty. Call today and make an appointment for one of their spa treatments.