CosmoBiz Magazine December 2015 | Page 43

dy says that “there is absolutely no surgical or medical solution...except for the psychological self-deception of wanting to believe the ads.” Try: Daily Grind Coffee Scrub from Perfectly Posh to exfoliate and Seed Fragrance Free Body Cream to nourish and pamper the skin. Myth #3: My mom looks years younger than her age, so I naturally will look younger too. Truth: Not necessarily. There’s no denying that genetics do play a role in skin aging, but there are many other factors. A recent study in the scientific journal Dermato-Endocrinology, it was revealed that environmental and lifestyle factors have a much greater impact on skin aging. For example, if you are a smoker, have UV damage from sun exposure or drink alcohol in excess, your genetics will not be able to help you stay younger looking. Lifestyle choices play a greater role than genetics when it comes to the condition of your skin. Tip: Be sure to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and only drink alcohol in moderation to keep your skin in its best possible shape. Myth #4: People with oily skin don’t get wrinkles, so dry skin must be the cause. Truth: Dry skin vs. oily skin has nothing to do with wrinkles. While it is true that having dry, ashy skin makes lines and wrinkles more obvious, a lack of hydration does not cause them to form. You can apply all of the moisturizer in the world and it will do nothing to prevent wrinkles. Dry skin does not cause wrinkles. A breakdown in collagen and elastin are the true culprits. Moisturizers add hydration to the top layer of the skin and really have no impact on wrinkling. A daily nourishing serum with hyaluron- ic acid will help your skin look plump and healthy, so it is important to use one regularly. Try: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II Myth #5: It’s wintertime, so I can stop wearing sunscreen. Truth: Whether it’s cold and cloudy or sunny and hot, applying a broad spectrum sunscreen daily is essential. Even on a gray winter day, the skin is still exposed to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Sun damage is the number one cause of both skin cancer and skin aging, so be sure to keep protected. It’s worth mentioning that sun protection isn’t just for those with fair skin. Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD says that the notion that only those with lighter complexions are likely to experience sun damage is “just profoundly, radically false.” Try: Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Creme for Face SPF 30 Myth #6: If you have oily skin, you have to avoid products with oil. Truth: It might just be time to rethink how you are cleansing. Those with very oily skin often wash their faces several times a day believing that they will be able to cleanse the oil away. In reality, overcleansing strips the skin of its beneficial oils and the sebaceous glands work overtime to compensate for this. The result? Skin that is even more oily than ever. Cleanse twice daily with a facial cleansing oil to remove excess sebum without leaving the skin feeling parched. Wait a minute. Did you tell people with oily skin to use a cleansing oil? Yes. It may seem counte r-intuitive, but those with oily skin may find that their skin will improve greatly by using a cleansing oil. Can oil really help fight oil? Cleansing oils use “good” oils to essentially bind to excess sebum. The oils in the cleanser help pull out the impurities lurking in the pores, which then get rinsed away after cleansing. 43