FASHION

Choose safe
skin products

THE FOLLOWING. information
Was recently released from othe
dermatology section of the BLC.
Medical Assogation to provide
people with information on skin
care products,

Watking up to oa) cosmetics
counter on into a drugstore can be
as confusing as entering a maze:
hundreds of chaices and ditectians
to take.

Shelf after shelf is
products designed to ntake sou
look and feel more beautiful,
younger, better, cleaner, brighter,
softer, sexier, more polished and
even healthier.

Bur ocan these
substantiated? And from a cnedi-
cal point of view, how do you
know if a cosmetic product is
right for you. or if any of the
advertised benefits are valid? And
Most importantly, can the product
actually harm your skin?

The multi-billion dollar
cosmetic industry thrives with the
use of high) pressure marketing
Practices and uses promises of mi-
traculou., skin care benefits that
may overwheim the consumer. A
favorite advertising method of
cosmetic manufacturers is to imp-
ly that exclusive, secret, scientific
formulations can magically erase
signs of aging and improve the
look of your skin.

“Cosmetics cannot alter the
structure or metabolism of the
skin. Those that do are considered
to be over-the-counter drugs and
are subject to all the labelling and
advertising regulations regarding
their use,’’ according to Roberta
Cc. Ongley, a Vancouver-based
dermatologist.

“However, cosmetics do offer
benefits in personal grooming that
may heip improve self-image and
therefore play an important role
in health and emotional well-be-
ing. A handy rule of thumb is that
if the product is sold at the
cosmetic counter and doesn’t have
full ingredient tabelling. then the
claims are not substantiated.”

Here are a few additional
guidelines to help simplify the
cosmetic shopping maze.

When evaluating 2 specific
cosmetic product, watch out for
claims such as ‘repairs, rebuilds,
replenishes, or rejuvenates’ or
‘rids the body uo” ceilulite,’ or
‘removes crow’s feet.”

Conversely, some beneficial
statements to look for are ‘non-
comedogenic, non-greasy, or
hon-acnegenic,” ‘moisturizing
creams that reduce the appearance
of fine, dry lines,’ and contains
UV protection.

As well, cost is not an indicator
of quality. That inexpensive jar of

(illed with

claims be

babs eri oor petroleusm goles aay
provide the same results as a $80
product tram othe specialty
cosmeties COUNT Remember
that al cosnietes are optional tor
shin care. thes are not necessary
tor healths skin” said Oneies

The cham ote be a natural
based’ product should also be es:
amined.

Nitturab formulas ate vers com:
ples chemicals, and imas be more
allerpenic than svathetic materials.

Hypoallergenic’ another
widely-used term. However, there
are no ‘allergenic’ products on the
market and all products can cause
allergies in some individuals,

Ingredients such as collagen and
VihuMins are not absorbed into the
shin, so dant be tempted by
claims stating otherwise.

Another common phrase is to
state that othe product is ‘der.
matologist-tested.” But this dogs
not necessaries mean suitable for
all skin’ types, nor does it mean
‘dermatologist-approved.*

For individual, without specitic
skin problems. most cosmetics can
generally be used safely and
without adverse affects.

A few basic tips can be follow.
ed when choosing the best pre-
ducis for your skin:

¢ Make-up products are essen-
tially safe and their allergenic
potential is low.

© Moisturizers are not necessary
unless the skin is truly dry. To test
for dryness, wash skin and wait at
least 30 minutes to assess whether
there is on-going dryness. If so,
then moisturizers can be helpful.

® Moisturizers, emollients, and
night creams do not magically
prevent or reverse the aging pro-
cess. However, sunscreens may
help prevent it. Moisturizers may
reduce the appearance of fine,
amall wrinkles by ‘plumping’ them
up temporarily.

*Fragrance-free products
minimize the risk of sensitization.

*Shampoos and conditioners
do not always vary greatly. There
are no significant differences be-
tween shampoos for dry. normal,
ard oily hair and all conditioners
coat the hair to improve appcar-
ance and comb-ability.

Dermatologists regularly see pa-
tients with  cosmetic-aggravated
skin problems. Yet, careful pro-
duct choice for most individuals
can enhance appearance and help
make you feel better about
yourself,

For further information, please
contact the B.C, Medical Associa-
tion, Section of Dermatology,
Suite 1010 - 750 West Broadway,
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z1H9, or call
875-4747,

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