How's your face?

Or skin in general

Published on December 2, 2005 By Tova7 In Misc

A few weeks ago there was a discussion on adult acne and things to use. I believe Locomama started it.

Thought I would share some info with you from a newsletter I get every month. It's fabulous and has saved me lots of money because it reviews all the new products (make up and skin care) and lets me know if its state of the art or state of the FART. HA!

How to be Gentle to Your Skin

I cannot stress this enough, irritation and inflammation are bad for skin--really, really bad. We do many things to our skin in an effort to improve it yet often use an assortment of irritating skin-care products. Everyday assaults such as unprotected sun exposure, splashing the face with hot water, applying skin-care products that contain irritating ingredients, and on and on, generate an irritant or inflammatory effect. This results in the skin's immune system becoming impaired, collagenase takes place (the breakdown of collagen), and the skin is stripped of its outer protective barrier.

For the overall health of your skin, anything you can do to treat it gently is a very good thing. Treating skin gently encourages normal collagen production, maintains a smooth and radiant surface, and helps skin protect itself from environmental stressors.

Aside from diligent sun protection, using gentle, non-irritating skin-care products is part of how you can achieve the best daily and long-term skin care results possible—so you can have the skin you've always wanted (Sources: Dermatologic Therapy, January 2004, pages 16-25; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, May 2004, pages 327-337; Cosmetics & Toiletries, Nov 2003, page 63; Global Cosmetics, Feb 2000, pages 46-49; and Contact Dermatitis, February 1995, pages 83-87).

With the goal being to eliminate anything that unnecessarily irritates and inflames skin, the following is a list of typical skin-care culprits that are not helpful in the least and are potentially damaging to your skin. The skin can react negatively to all of the following products, procedures, and ingredients.

Irritating Skin-Care Steps and Products to Avoid:
Overly abrasive scrubs (such as those that contain aluminum oxide crystals, walnut shells, or pumice)
Astringents containing irritating ingredients (alcohol and menthol being the prime offenders)
Toners containing irritating ingredients (alcohol and menthol being the prime offenders)
Scrub mitts
Cold or hot water
Steaming or icing the skin
Facial masks containing irritating ingredients (watch out for fragrant essential oils and polyvinyl alcohol)
Loofahs
Bar soaps and bar cleansers (Source: International Journal of Dermatology, August 2002, pages 494-9; Skin Research and Technology, May 2001, pages 98-104; and Dermatology, March 1997, pages 258–262)
Irritating Ingredients to Avoid:
(These are of greatest concern when they appear in the beginning of an ingredient list.)
Alcohol or SD alcohol followed by a number (Exceptions: Ingredients like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are standard, benign, waxlike cosmetic thickening agents and are completely nonirritating and safe to use; SD alcohols are not considered a problem when they are used in minute amounts, as is the case with some ingredient mixtures.)
Ammonia
Arnica
Balm mint
Balsam
Bentonite
Benzalkonium chloride (if it is one of the main ingredients)
Benzyl Alcohol (if it is one of the main ingredients)
Bergamot
Camphor
Cinnamon
Citrus juices and oils
Clove
Clover blossom
Coriander
Cornstarch
Essential Oils
Eucalyptus
Eugenol
Fennel
Fennel oil
Fir needle
Fragrance (may be listed as "Parfum")
Geranium
Grapefruit
Horsetail
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Lime
Linalool
Marjoram
Melissa (lemon balm)
Menthol, Menthyl Acetate, and Menthyl PCA
Mint
Oak bark
Orange
Papaya
Peppermint
Phenol
Sandalwood oil
Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
TEA-lauryl sulfate
Thyme
Wintergreen
Witch hazel
Ylang-ylang

Many of these ingredients are extremely common, showing up in skin-care products for all skin types. And because many of these are recognizable, "Natural/Botanical" names, consumers often perceive them as "good" ingredients (that's a whole different issue though, read more here). Ingredients like camphor, menthol, mint, alcohol, and phenol are sometimes recommended because they are a type of anti-itch ingredient known as counter-irritants.

The theory works like this: When your skin itches, the nerve endings are sending messages begging you to scratch. If you place these irritating ingredients over the area that itches, the nerve hears the irritation message louder than it hears the itch message and interprets this as a reason to stop itching. That reasoning is fine if minor, sporadic, occasional itching is your problem. If it is not and those ingredients are present in skin-care products meant for everyday use, they introduce a constant, irritating insult to the skin and cause dryness, rashes, increased oil production, redness, and breakouts. None of those side effects are attractive.

Skin doesn't have to hurt, tingle, or be stimulated (even a little) to be clean. In fact, a simple indicator of irritation is if the skin tingles, it is being irritated, not cleaned. The major rule for all skin types is if a product or procedure irritates the skin, don't use it again.

Exceptions to the rule: Because of the long-term benefits certain types of ingredients can provide skin, tolerating a little initial, though not long-term or serious, irritation may be necessary. For example, some stinging or tingling may occur when you initially begin to use a pH-correct alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid product for exfoliation, a benzoyl peroxide product to battle blemishes, topical Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac azelaic acid, or Differin for either acne or wrinkles, or use Metrogel, Metrocream, or Metrolotion for rosacea. You may need to reduce frequency of application to once a day or every other day, or reduce how much you use at any one time. If the irritation persists for more than a few weeks or worsens with repeated use, then you should stop using it. For example, personally, my skin cannot tolerate Renova or Retin-A but I have no problem using a well-formulated beta hydroxy acid which has improved the texture of my skin immeasurably.

Link

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Comments

Tova7

on Dec 02, 2005

I sure will! I'll keep my eyes peeled for them....

KarmaGirl

on Dec 02, 2005

My skin is anything but normal. I used to get acne when I was young. Oddly enough, it was suggested by a dermatologist at the time to clean my face only once a day but to do it with straight rubbing alcohol (oh...the horror!) then apply an oatmeal lotion.

Well, my acne went away, and I still do the same thing if I feel a zit starting. Otherwise, I don't use *anything* on my face except water and a washcloth. If my skin gets dry, I apply a light moisturizer.

I think that people try to over process themselves, sometimes soap just isn't needed.

LW, have you tried Epsom salt compacts to draw out the boil? I read a lot of "natural" remedy pages, and I did notice that Epsom salt compacts and soaks were the #1 recommendation. Epsom salt is also very good as a soak for RA since it has a sedative effect on nerves. (Epsom salt is magnesium, which a more refined version is used in IV's to prevent seizures..I'm not sure why I felt like sharing that, but there it is...). And, if you ever get a little constipated, you can also use it as a laxative *shudders*, not that I have any idea why one would want to do that. Oh....and it's cheap.

Tova7

on Dec 02, 2005

it was suggested by a dermatologist at the time to clean my face only once a day but to do it with straight rubbing alcohol (oh...the horror!) then apply an oatmeal lotion.

YIKES! Well I don't know when that was suggested....I am not a skin care diva, but I started reading this lady known in the television industry as the "cosmetics cop" because she is so brutally honest with her evaluations of things...AND she knows her stuff....all the science to back it up etc...plus just look at her. hahaha.

My skin was fine before I started following her guidelines and recommendations. But now that I use my old favorites and a few from her line (pretty cheap too!) I get compliments on my skin from people who cut my hair, and other women in general. They usually ask what type make up I use, then the conversation goes from there.

If you ever feel like your face is getting old her alpha hydrox stuff (again cheap compared to like drug store brands and dept brands) is awesome. And the mud mask, well all I have to say about that thing is EVERYTIME I use it, the next day someone compliments me on my skin and I am not usually wearing make up when they do it!

Oh well, if I could just REMEMBER to use it one a week!

Tova7

on Dec 02, 2005

Arggh. My dad's had the same problem all his life, as did my brother before he died, so I just grin and bear it, but damn they hurt like a cigar being pressed against the skin, and the condition disqualifies me from taking the immunosuppresants that might help my R/A.

Yes I read about this a little bit. What a bummer. I will def keep my eyes open though. I know a few kids who get them and they are so freakin painful.....you know a kid is hurting when its too much pain for them to even touch while playing!

So Many Questions

on Dec 02, 2005

Hey Tova,
Do you have a link or info about the stuff you said is working like a charm for you?

I had pretty bad acne as a kid (ran in the family) and it didn't go away until much, much later, and even later than anyone else had it in my family. I tried everything and absolutely nothing worked. Now, I still have some blemishes and it's annoying, but for the most part I'm okay, although I still get freaked out everytime I feel my face starting to bump up again. Anyone have any tips for blemishes that really worked? I've heard a million different things, but something that works from experience?

Tova7

on Dec 05, 2005

Yes! Go to

www.paulaschoice.com
Read her skin care routine carefully and follow it to the letter...

I gave this to my neighbor's son as a gift, the cleanser, alpha hydrox, and blemish fighting solution. He's a teen and has bad acne...he tried that stuff Jessica Simpson promotes and it didn't work for him.

After two months he is acne free. And he is a hormonal teenager! Every time he sees me a I get a big smile!

Try it, its not too expensive either...and her products are better and more leading edge than ANY other product on the market....no matter how pricey.

She also wrote a book, called, Don't Go To the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.

It covers EVERY single item of makeup in the market today, as well as every single skin care product...she tells you why they work and why they don't up to the time of publication, and then you can get a free newsletter for everything else since.

The last one said the new Dove line (while it has fragrance which is a no no if you are sensitive at all) are pretty good moisturizers. I tried it and she is right. The lotion rocks. (She promotes all good things, not just her stuff...ex, the Dove line)

Hope this helps. Let me know.

(Def get the carbon mask, you will see a difference the FIRST time you use it......it rocks!)

foreverserenity

on Dec 05, 2005

I have adult acne, especially during my mentral cycle. Can't stand it. I do a skin care regimen to take care of it but it doesn't always work. The things we women go through! Thanks for sharing this information. I'll link to the article you suggested another time. Whip, I'll try to see what those childhood recipes my mom used to use is. If my siblings remember. In our country they usually have home grown, natural way of curing some things. I'll email you if I find out anything.

lifehappens

on Dec 06, 2005

hee hee. I actually use this stuff. I found it a few weeks ago and I really like her honest evaluations of products....and I'm really pleased with her clenser/alpha hydrox/blemish stuff. I am very hormonal and get lots of monthly breakouts...this stuff is better than anything else. But if you don't want to use the stuff, you should still check out the site for her product evals.

Tova7

on Dec 06, 2005

I actually use this stuff.

That is great, you are the first person I have met who used it before me recommending it!

I love the stuff too...I am wearing the carbon mask right this very minute...good thing this isn't video blogging!

You are right the evals are great!

KellyW0498

on Dec 06, 2005

Hey Tova,
I just wanted to pop in and say hello. and I wasn't quite sure what I was going to find with the title!

Merry Christmas

Tova7

on Dec 07, 2005

Thanks Kelly!

Merry Christmas to you too!!

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