#beautyproducts Archives - Oh My Heartsie Girl

August 30, 2020August 30, 2020

Skin Treatment Services in About Face

A few years ago, skincare was thought to be something that only celebrities and older women were concerned about. It was something you did when you got older. However, now thanks to the internet and social media, we have easier access to resources that tell us otherwise. We can even view the skincare routines of our favorite celebrities and influencers, and it is evident now that skincare has nothing to do with age or gender and everything to do with lifestyle. So let’s get to the basics – what do you need to know in order to take good care of your skin?

Know Your Skin Type

Ever wondered why the cleanser you bought last month is still not controlling your breakouts? Or why your face is still dry after using the cream your friend recommended to you? Chances are, the product you purchased didn’t match your kind type. The first step to developing an effective skincare routine is
to identify your skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination). If you’re unsure about your skin type, here are 2 easy methods by Tatcha to find out.

Find the Right Products

So now you know what your kind type is, you can move ahead to purchase the right products. If you’re a beginner, stick to the basics – a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Check out CeraVe for great options for all three – they have a wide range of products according to skin type. You will find many dermatologists recommending their products because they actually work!

Be cautious to choose products that match best with your eye texture as well because a wrong product can destroy your eye’s skin. A lot of people end up choosing fake 3d lashes extensions that are not of quality and it hurts their eyes in the longterm.

Build a Routine

Once you have gotten used to the basics, you can now upgrade and build a more varied skincare routine. This is when you can start using serums that target specific concerns – such as niacinamide serum for reducing pores, or a Vitamin C serum to lighten blemishes and acne scars. The Ordinary and INKEY List are two of the best drugstore options for skincare that’s easy on your pocket and delivers results. Identify your concern and then invest a serum(s) that will treat that concern. It is best to consult your dermatologist before starting a new product as well.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the process through which dead skin cells are removed from the skin and newer cells are brought to the surface. There are a number of exfoliation techniques:

Physical –using a scrub that contains granules which manually remove dead skin cells
Chemical – using alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), and poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs) formulations, which dissolve the outermost layer of skin and allow newer layers to surface
Enzymatic – using formulations from natural sources (e.g. fruits). This work similar to Chemical exfoliates but is much gentler on the skin.

The type of exfoliation you choose is largely dependent on your skin type and skin concern.

Remember – consistency is key. As with all good things, skincare takes time to show results. Once you build a routine, stick to it and you will enjoy the results in time.
Be Careful in Using Homemade Skincare Mixtures
How to Buy Beauty Products Online Important Tips to Follow

This post contains affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission

June 7, 2018

How Anti-Aging Products Prove Their Efficacy Claims

There are literally thousands of products promising to turn back the hands of time. Using anti-aging products is one of the most common beauty hacks for looking younger, but it’s far from a silver bullet.

Some anti-aging products really do soften fine lines, improve skin clarity, and build up collagen. Others are nothing but a waste of money. Yet all anti-aging products claim to solve our skin woes. So how do manufacturers come up with all their claims and how do you know if they’re legitimate?

Unfortunately, topical beauty product claims aren’t usually regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturers primarily rely on four tactics to prove the efficacy of anti-aging products.

Third-Party Testing of Beauty Products

One of the most common ways to obtain efficacy statistics for products is through third-party testing. Companies like The Benchmarking Company that specialize in beauty product testing base results in quantitative and qualitative consumer research.

Third-party testers use a variety of measures to gauge whether a product actually delivers results. Some are performed in-home, meaning that the consumer who’s acting as a tester uses the product at home as other consumers would. The product research company then tracks their independent thoughts on how the product worked throughout the testing period.

The tests produce verified consumer claims that are then used for marketing purposes. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to discover benefits they didn’t even consider before the third party consumer testing.

Testing Beauty Products in a Laboratory Setting

Some beauty product manufacturers go the extra mile to definitively show results in terms of actual improvement to the skin, not just consumer opinion. These tests are performed in a laboratory setting under the direction of researchers.

When you see claims like “80% improvement in moisture retention” or “75% reduction in fine lines” those are typically obtained through laboratory testing. The researchers will take baseline measurements before product use and then observe the changes at intervals during the testing period.

Consumers should pay attention to who does the laboratory testing. It’s best for testing to be done at an outside facility rather than at the manufacturer’s testing facilities.

Expert Reviews on Anti-Aging Products

Today, there are a lot of influencers providing their seal of approval for beauty products, which their followers see as proof positive of efficacy. It’s not uncommon to see anti-aging products that prominently display awards received from expert reviewers like a beauty magazine or well-known skin specialist. The opinion of these high-profile reviewers is regularly used in marketing on product packaging, ads, and websites.

The Allure Best of Beauty Awards is a perfect example of how expert reviews can help substantiate efficacy claims. Their beauty editors test out dozens upon dozens of products to determine which ones live up to the hype. Only those that really wow their panel end up receiving an award.

FTC Advertising and Marketing Regulations

Since the FDA classifies most topical anti-aging products as cosmetics (unless they change the physical structure of the skin and are then considered a drug), the products need to be proven safe to use, but they don’t need FDA approval to verify they work as claimed. However, there are Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advertising and marketing regulations for cosmetics, and under FDA law marketing claims should not be misleading.

If the FDA finds that a manufacturer is making drug claims for a cosmetic they can take action. For example, if a manufacturer claims that an anti-aging cosmetic boosts collagen production that’s a drug claim because it would be altering the structure of the skin. If the product is a cosmetic that hasn’t gotten FDA approval to make a drug claim a warning letter will be issued. Dozens of companies have received warning letters in regard to topical skin care products, including heavyweights like L’Oreal and Peter Thomas Roth.

With so many options available and loose FDA regulations finding anti-agers that actual work can be a daunting process. Your best bet is to look for products that have been independently tested and use ingredients that are proven to be effective.

This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.

April 16, 2018

Curly Hair Care Products- What to Consider

Several people are on a mission to identify the right hair care products for their curly hair. If you have always had curly hair, you are probably familiar with how challenging it can be find products that actually work. The good news is that effective curly hair products have been developed over time and are no longer elusive.

The ongoing and expanding movement for naturally curly hair has focused on making natural curls more accepted. This has led to a significant improvement in knowledge and products over the years. Begin by considering what you should look for in products that are formulated for curly hair.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Shampoos and conditioners are essential even though you may be thinking that all you need are products that smell good. While styling products play a key role, the reality is that shampoos and conditioners are the basis of styling your curls. There are a number of factors you need to keep in mind while picking a shampoo or conditioner to narrow down your choices as you shop around for the perfect products.

Sulfate-Free Shampoos

One of the things you need to avoid in any type of shampoo is sulfates. Sulfates are actually not good for any hair, especially curls. These are harsh detergents that are salt-based and only serve the purpose of creating bubbles in shampoo. They do not help to clean the hair although some people think the bubbling effect is what makes their hair clean. Visit LUS Brands website.

Sulfates strip out oils from your hair, which may result in an excessively clean feeling combined with frizzing. It can also lead to the scalp producing an excessive amount of oil that needs to be washed out on a daily basis. Sulfates are also known to have an irritating effect on the eyes, hair and skin.

Moisturizing Shampoos

Curls need moisture and stripping all the oils that are naturally produced from your curls will create problems for your hair. Invest in shampoo that does not contain sulfates and try it out for a couple of weeks.

The curlier or coarser your hair is, the more moisture you need in your shampoo and a sulfate-free shampoo that moisturizes your hair is the best option.
Finer hair will benefit from translucent or clear sulfate-free shampoo that does not produce a lot of lather. This moisturizes the curls without weighing them down.
Choose a shampoo that contains botanical and natural ingredients that are beneficial for your hair and scalp.

Natural Conditioners

Conditioners are not as restrictive as shampoos but you still need to look for certain things when you want to find the best conditioner, A natural conditioner that consists of botanical ingredients such as jojoba, olive oil, tree tea, rosemary, lavender and chamomile you will not have to worry about the buildup of silicones on your hair.

If your conditioner contains silicones, consider a monthly baking soda treatment that will remove the buildup instead of a damaging sulfate shampoo. This type of treatment will leave your curls buildup-free, shiny and bouncy. You will be able to establish that a conditioner is suitable for your hair by observing how the curls respond. Frizzing or tangling is a sign that the product may not be right for you.