ADMIT IT !!!
You have an intimate relationship with your beauty products. You set dates to meet every morning and night. You usually meet alone, and sometimes, even in the nude. But how well do you really know your product?
1) Your foundation and moisturizer say “oil-free.” This is good because:
You have oily skin and don’t need more oil
Oil causes break-outs
It won’t feel greasy on your skin
Answer: A. A normal to dry skin type will benefit from an oil based product which can provide balance to the skin. Skin is considered “dry” when it lacks oil, not water. As far as breakouts, certain mineral and plant oils can cause irritation on hypersensitive skin and those with allergies but so can the “oil-free” products that use oil-like emollients, such as silicones, waxes, and vegetable fats. Also, modern cosmetics have graduated and a good oil based product can feel just as light as a water based product.
2) Hypoallergenic means:
It’s unlikely you’ll get an allergic reaction
It’s impossible to get an allergic reaction
It’s fragrance free
Answer: A & C. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity to the Food and Drug Administration (the authority responsible for ensuring that our products are safe), although most reputable companies would not release an allergenic product. Since there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic," it can mean whatever a particular company wants it to mean. In many cases, this means removing the most allergenic ingredient - fragrance.
3) Your new organic red lipstick includes carmine or cochineal extract. These are:
plant extracts
clay minerals
pigments derived from insects
Answer: C. These are deep crimson dyes extracted from female insects that feed on cacti. The FDA considers these ingredients safe for use as long as the process of removing the pigment from the bugs follows their specifications.
4) The collagen in your anti-aging cream:
Smoothes and moisturizes your skin
Will rid your face of wrinkles
Is derived from animal tissue which can include cow hide and pig tendons
Answer: A & C. Collagen is a protein substance found in skin. As it naturally diminishes in our bodies, the signs of aging appear. However, medical experts believe that it can not affect our skin’s own collagen when applied topically. Unless a synthetic version is used, pure collagen is derived from animal tissue and will do little besides moisturize the skin.
---- Contributed to Mentortainmenttv.com by Melissa Colabella, Esthetician and Beauty Editor
Melissa Colabella is a freelance writer, skin care specialist and makeup artist. She can be reached at MelissaColabella@aol.com.