Help with Sunscreen

Sunscreen 101

**Warning: This is a long post, be warned!


So, how many of you read EWG.org/skindeep and got overwhelmed with all the information on their website, enough to say "forget it" and go back to ignorant cosmetic bliss?? (I raise my hand).


I remember stumbling upon the EWG website a few years back, and it was information overload.  Plus, most of the stuff I was using had not-too-hot scores. =(  What was a girl to do?  I wasn't just going to throw everything I owned out and spend money to sample healthier options (with the risk of breaking out).  So now that I've graduated school, I have a lot more time to research things and educate myself on this stuff, and hopefully change out my products little by little. 


Here's a quick breakdown of information regarding sunscreens, as well as some good, easy-to-read links that provide you with more information:

• There are two different types of sunscreen available: mineral/physical and chemical.  Mineral suncreens include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.  Chemical sunscreens include:  avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octylcrylene, etc.  There are a lot more chemical sunscreens out there, but the ones I've listed are just a few.
• Mineral sunscreens sit on top of skin and primarily reflect or scatter UV light.   
• Chemical sunscreens get absorbed into your skin and absorb or scatter UV light.

So....which one should I use?

Well, that depends on you.  Some research indicates that chemical sunscreens may enter your cells and disrupt the functions of your hormones.  Some people have actually been tested and found to have oxybenzone in their blood!  Crazy.  EWG says they prefer people pick mineral/physical sunblocks over chemical sunblocks, and if you do opt for chemical, make sure it's Avobenzone 3%.  The problem with Avobenzone is that it tends to break down quickly in sunlight and needs to be stabilized.  How companies stabilize Avobenzone, I have no idea!  I'm moving from chemical sunscreens to strictly mineral/physical sunblocks, personally.  I don't want to add any additional chemicals to my skin care regiment....I'm pretty sure I use enough.

Mineral/physical sunblocks

Image from http://www.mommamuse.com/2008/09/29/dancing-stick-figures/

So, then, mineral/physical sunblocks are completely safe then?

Not necessarily.  It depends on the size of the particle.  I know, but don't stop reading now! I'll try to simplify what all this means for you. :)

The main problems with these physical sunblocks is that they can cause a whitish cast on your face.  To combat this, a lot of cosmetic companies micronize the zinc to minimize that whitish look to your skin.  The problem with micronizing particles is how small they make the particles.  As long as the particle size is greater than 100nm (nm=nanometers), research suggests that this size particle will not be absorbed by healthy skin for the most part, but may be more toxic "to living cells and the environment (1)."  They are also concerned about inhalation of powders and sprays, because then it can get into your lungs.  This is why EWG doesn't recommend sprays and fine powder formulations of physical sunblock.  The only way to really find out if your products are micronized and it's size, is unfortunately to contact the company.  This has also made me paranoid about my finishing powder that looks pretty micronized to me, but I'll save that for another post.   

And, to top it off, Titanium Dioxide doesn't protect you from the longer UVA rays like Zinc Oxide does.  Let me back up for a second.  I'm sure you've heard of UVB and UVA rays, right?  UVB rays are responsible for sunburns.  UVA rays are longer than UVB rays and are responsible for deep wrinkles, pigmentation and skin sagging (2).  This is why it's so important to get a broad spectrum sunblock that protects from both UVA and UVB rays.  Zinc Oxide protects from both long UVA and UVB rays, whereas Titanium Dioxide alone only protects against UVB and short UVA rays.  So, guess who's looking into a good Zinc Oxide sunscreen that doesn't clog pores? ME.  Reviews to come after I find a good one!

I've posted some good links below with good sunscreen information:

Badger Sunscreen FAQs

LUCA Sunscreen FAQs

EWG 9 Surprising Truths About Sunscreen

**Please note that I'm not endorsing either LUCA or Badger sunscreen, as I have not tried either one.  Their websites have good information, which is why I provided it as a resource!  I plan on trying the Badger body sunblock soon, although I've heard it does leave a white cast on your skin.  But hey, I'm not trying to win a beauty contest, so a white cast I can deal with. Just my two cents. :)

1. From the EWG website: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreens-exposed-9-surprising-truths/
2. From LUCA sunscreen website: http://lucasunscreen.com/faq/sun.aspx#q3

Eye Makeup Remover Sticks

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Sticks

I like these travel-size, throw in your purse makeup eraser sticks.  They're good for when your mascara/eyeliner smudges.  They're oil free so there's no oily residue that's left after you touch up using one of these sticks.  It's really easy to use!  

1.  Remove swab from container.

2.  Find end with the purple ring and bend it back until you hear and feel a "snap."

3.  Watch as the other end saturates with oil free makeup remover.

4.  Swipe the swab where you need it to freshen up your makeup!!

It may leave the area a little dry after use, so you may consider dabbing a little bit of eye cream.  If the dryness doesn't bother you or doesn't dry you out at all, you'll have no problems with this!

I like having this in my bag for when I'm out all day and decide to go out later without having any time to freshen up my makeup.  This one trick alone makes my eye makeup look much cleaner, without doing much.

Only $5 for a pack of 24!

Clairsonic Review

Clairsonic: To buy, or not to buy

When I first bought this, it physically hurt me to shell out $200 to purchase.  Now, they have the Mia for $119 and if you buy it from this website, they have a 20% coupon right now: SkinStore.  


I have been using this for about 2 years, and I have to admit, it does make my skin feel very soft.  Does it help remove zits?  Not so much.  But it supposedly helps wash your face and removes dirt and oil better than washing with your hands alone.  Since it does this, it allows your beauty products to work better.  It's the Sonicare for your face!


I used to use this every day for a year, but now I use it 1-2x/week more as an exfoliator.  I don't really think it helps with zits per se, unless the cause of your acne is from poor face cleaning (leaving makeup and dirt on your face in the PM before you go to sleep).  It's nice because it does make your face feel soft, but I'm not sure that it's a necessity.  I use the delicate replacement heads and replace them every 3-4 months.  It comes with a sensitive brush head, which was a little too harsh for my face.  


Verdict:  I like this as an addition to my skin care regiment.  If your skin is already soft, you don't really need to use this.  You could just use an exfoliating treatment 1-2x/week via mask/scrub.  If you have the money and are interested in trying this, you could also buy it from Sephora and return if it you feel that it doesn't really do anything for you.  I love their return policy!  Or, if you have a friend with a Clairsonic, you can buy a cheap replacement head on amazon and try out your friend's Clairsonic--you may feel less return-guilt that way. :)

EWG Website and How to read your results

Ok, so I probably have you a little freaked out now from my previous post, sorry.  Not to freak you out more, but make sure when you look up your item and you see the score, to click on the name of the item to get a break down of why that product got that particular score.  The page should look something like this:

This will give you the actual scary break down of what's in your product.  And don't be fooled by a low score of "1," you'd be surprised to see what the breakdown actually looks like.  The above screen shot is one that I created from "Build your own report" and not verified by EWG.  And yes, sigh, it is for my Algenist Serum.  When I first read that, I thought, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"  My first review, I got past my purge period to start actually liking the product, and now THIS.  I'm still debating on whether I'll finish the bottle or return it to Sephora.

The way I see it, you have to weigh the pros and cons of your product, then decide if it's worth keeping or not.  I have an overnight Retinol treatment that helps keep my skin clear that scored a 5.  I decided to try to look for something that will work just as well with a lower score, but continue using my product until I find my green, holy grail treatment product.  No break out vs. my health, I pick not breaking out.  Kidding!  But I know that breaking out can lower your self-esteem and make you feel terribly self-conscious, so each individual has to make that decision for themselves.  I'm just here to give you information and help you in any way I can. =)

Are skincare products bad for your health?

Do you know what's in your skin care and make-up products??

I think it's really important to be a savvy, informed consumer.   I know that I've personally been moving away from using cosmetics that contain preservatives and additives that aren't good for the environment or your skin.  But do you REALLY know what's in all of your skin care and make-up products??  


I went on the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skindeep website.  It's a database that contains information on the safety of cosmetics.  You can look up your cosmetics and see what the potential health hazards are.  If you can't locate your product, you can click on the top link and "Build your own report."  You enter in all the ingredients of your products and voila, you can read your scary report about the hazardous stuff you've been using on your face and body!  


Check out their website and prepare to get educated/scared:  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

In all seriousness, it's good to know what you're using and what the potential cumulative, long-term effects may be.  I mean, I try to only buy organic eggs, fruits and veggies, but if the stuff I put on my face and body are chock full of chemicals, what's the point in going organic at all?


Here's a good video that explains about chemicals in cosmetics by "The Story of Stuff."  It's in cartoon format so it's easy to watch, but also really informative: 

Stay tuned...soon I'll be reviewing skin care products that received low hazardous-to-your-health scores and let you know if any of these products actually work well and don't cause break outs.


Green beauty, here I come!

Beauty Tip of the day: Mascara Hygiene

Things you should know about mascara


I've been using make-up for years and years, and I still feel like I learn new things about it all the time.  Which is a good thing, considering I love useless and useful facts all the same.


Here are some things I learned and thought I would pass along the information, juuust in case you didn't know:


1.  If your mascara starts to smell funky, or it's been 6 months, throw out your mascara.
If it smells bad, it's probably ridden with bacteria, so throw it out girl!  I don't care how expensive it was, the last thing you want is bacteria near your eye and on your eyelashes.  No bueno.  Also, if you've had it for about 6 months, throw it out and get a new one.  Experts tell us that 6 months is around the time the mascara will start to have a lot of bacteria, hence the expiration date. 


2. After you're done using your mascara, make sure you cap the mascara tightly.
Capping your mascara lid tightly will ensure that your mascara doesn't dry up too quickly.  Plus we know that if it dries out, it doesn't go on as smoothly and you'll get clumpy, spider eyelashes.


3. Do not pump your mascara to get out more product!
Pumping your mascara is no good, only because when you pump the wand, it introduces more air into the mascara container, which again, will lead to drying it out.  You do not want this, especially for your more expensive mascaras that you want to last you as close to that 6 month mark as possible!  I was guilty of doing this, but now try not to do that because I love my mascara and want it to last as long as possible.


Here were just three easy tips to follow to keep your mascara use hygienic and to minimize drying out of your product!


If you have any other tips, feel free to let me know!! 

Oily Skin

De-Slick your face
I've always struggled with oily skin.  My skin is a strange combination of sensitive, dehydrated- underneath-and-produces-more-oil-to-compensate-for-the-dryness, acne-prone type.  I know, totally not cool.  Through the years of trial and error, I have used many a things to get this under control.  Here's my newest weapon to combat oiliness:  De-Slick by Urban Decay.


I bought this on a whim at Sephora about a month ago, and I'm so glad I did.  You apply your skincare and makeup as you usually would, then finish by spritzing this spray 3-4x and hold it about 8-10 inches from your face.  Then watch as you magically remain ungreasy for hours more than normal!  If I hadn't used this myself, I wouldn't have believed it, but it works.  Also doesn't break me out, WHEE!  They also have a version of this for non-oily skinned ladies that's more like a setting spray for makeup.  A sales associate at Sephora told me it really kept her makeup in place all night.  Of course, it's called "All Nighter." 

I bought this in the small-sized bottle (not sure how many ounces it is, but it retails for $11) instead of the large 4 oz. bottle ($29).  I would recommend either: 1) sampling this at Sephora first (make sure it keeps your oilies at bay and doesn't cause you to break out the next day), or 2) buying the smaller sized item and using it before buying the larger spray. 

I'll be buying the larger sized bottle once I run out of the small one.  We have a winner!