DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THESE MYTHS?

1. MYTH- DEEP SKIN TONES DON'T NEED SUNSCREEN 

“Medium-to-deep skin tones have a natural SPF of 8 to 13, but you need SPF 30 to 50 for adequate protection,” says Dr. Cheri Frey, a board-certified dermatologist based in Maryland. “Brown skin can still develop skin cancer—even if the rate is lower—and is just as prone to premature aging, degradation of collagen, and hyperpigmentation.” Basically, your melanin alone won’t cut it.

2. MYTH-THE SPF IN YOUR MAKEUP IS GOOD ENOUGH

Sorry, but not even close. Not only are you supposed to apply half a teaspoon of at least SPF 30 to your face every single day for adequate coverage (which, trust me, is a lot more than it sounds, and definitely more than the average person uses), but “most makeup has a max SPF of 15, which isn’t nearly high enough to protect you,” says Dr. Frey. So, unless you’re caking on five layers of foundation, you won’t come close to that SPF 15.

3. MYTH-YOU DON'T NEED SUNSCREEN INDOORS

Sure, maybe that was the case 100 years ago—but now? “The blue light that’s emitted from our computers and smartphones contributes to melasma, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Frey. And while your windows do a pretty good job at filtering out UVB rays (the sunburn-causing kind), they’re not great at blocking out UVA rays (the damage- and cancer-causing kind). Your best bet is a mineral sunscreen since it acts as a physical barrier against both types of rays. One fav? UNSUN Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30, which acts as a tinted moisturizer and SPF all in one.

4. THERE'S NO RIGHT OR WRONG SUNSCREEN

To be clear, the best sunscreen is the one that you’ll actually wear every single day, since “any SPF is better than none,” says Dr. Frey. But if you’ve got specific skin issues you’re trying to mitigate, you’ll want to grab the right type. “Chemical sunscreen works by absorbing and breaking down the UV rays, while mineral sunscreens work by physically blocking those UV rays,” she says.

Generally, mineral sunscreens offer the best and broadest protection and are better for sensitive skin and melasma. The downside? They tend to leave a white cast that can look especially obvious on dark skin tones. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, tend to be lighter and sheerer, so they play well with all skin tones and layer well under products.

If you do choose a physical sunscreen, look for one that’s either tinted or sheer, like EltaMD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44, then wait at least 10 minutes after applying it before adding your makeup (which is usually enough time for that white cast to disappear). Looking for a chemical formula? Try the cult-favorite Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, which really does look and feel like nothing on your skin.

      5 Beauty Devices  For Your Skin Concerns

Microcurrents, light therapy, microneedling—oh my! It can feel like every day we’re seeing in our feeds some new gadget designed to rejuvenate our skin. And with these devices being used more and more at home (no longer only during trips to the spa or the dermatologist’s office), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. But it’s totally worth it to add a device to your skin care routine, because doing so can give you better results than just your serums and creams alone.

1. LIGHT THERAPY DEVICES 

Light therapy devices work by sending light energy into the skin in order to trigger a reaction inside the cells—and different color wavelengths all offer unique benefits. “The red lights turn on collagen production and increase circulation while decreasing inflammation, while the blue lights destroy acne-causing bacteria,” explains Dr. Cheung.

2. MICROCURRENT DEVICES 

Microcurrent increases the flow of electric currents across the cell membranes of the skin and muscles, which translates to increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, and improves the skin’s potential for collagen synthesis and wound healing.

3. MICRODERMABRASION DEVICES 

Dr. Cheung recommends microdermabrasion as the quickest way to polish the skin for a natural glow. Microdermabrasion devices work by using vacuum suction to remove old, dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, revealing the healthy-looking skin underneath.

4. DERMAPLANING DEVICES

Dermaplaning involves using a sharp tool to exfoliate the skin, and “gets rid of peach fuzz and dead skin to prep the skin for enhanced penetration of active ingredients,” Dr. Cheung says. While professionals often use a scalpel-like device for these treatments, home dermaplaning devices make the process safe and easy to DIY.

5. MASSAGE DEVICES

As great as it would be to see your facialist daily, it’s not an option for most of us—but a facial massage device is the next best thing. According to Worden, these devices are great because they can help depuff, firm and soothe skin, as well as assist with product penetration and deep cleansing.

• 
  

   THE BEST MOISTURIZERS FOR DRY SKIN 

 Dealing with dry skin is enough to leave anyone frustrated, frazzled and, well, flaky. Even worse, chronic dryness is associated with a disrupted skin barrier. “Without an optimal barrier function your skin becomes more vulnerable to minor trauma and infections, and it will take longer to heal,” says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York. The best remedy to restore your skin’s barrier—and keep your complexion smooth and supple—is, without a doubt, a moisturizer made to nourish dry skin types.

The Best Ingredients for Dry Skin

“Moisturizers help to keep the skin looking and functioning at its best and help ensure the strength and resilience of the skin barrier,” says Dr. King. She recommends reaching for products that contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients—specifically moisturizing creams or ointments that contain oils such as olive or jojoba. “Shea butter also works well,” she adds. “Other ingredients that help soothe dry skin include lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum.” To best absorb all the hydration your moisturizer contains, she recommends applying immediately after washing.

Ready to arm your skin with the protective barrier it needs to remain healthy and hydrated? Read on for the best moisturizers that are guaranteed to do the job and leave you with that desirable dewy glow.

1. FIRST AID BEAUTY(ULTRA REPAIR CREAM)

Not only is this face and body cream intensely hydrating, it’s also free of fragrances, alcohol, phthalates, sulfates and parabens, which can irritate sensitive and dry skin, explains Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York. “This moisturizer contains oatmeal, shea butter and antioxidants to soothe skin and fight environmental aggressors, which are important qualities in a skin care product for dry skin types,” she adds.

2. SKINCEUTICALS (EMOLLIENCE)

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer that gently soothes the skin, absorbs relatively quickly and delivers just enough hydration to last all day long, this is a great option. A rich blend of exclusive lipids and marine extracts, including algae, is incredibly nutrient-rich and works to nourish and hydrate the skin. Other plant oils include grapeseed, rosehip and macadamia nut, which work to restore the skin’s barrier function to protect it against free radicals in the environment.

3. MURAD (INTENSE RECOVERY CREAM)

This intensely nourishing cream is more like a dense balm designed to hydrate extremely dry skin that’s irritated and red. In doing so, it simultaneously reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too. The ingredients are mostly plant-based, including a blend of shea butter and macadamia oil to deeply hydrate, mirabilis jalapa plant extract to soothe irritation and rednes and microalgae extract, which has been shown to reduce the look of stress-related expression lines.

4. PCA SKIN (COLLAGEN HYDRATOR)

Ideal for overnight use (when your skin is working its hardest to repair itself) this collagen hydrator can also be used anytime—morning and afternoon, too. It incorporates a nourishing combination of shea butter and hyaluronic acid to rehydrate overly dry skin. It also softens the skin’s texture with a blend of emollients and wheat protein and balances your skin’s natural pH levels with sweet almond oil.

5. OBAGI (HYDRATE LUXE)

Although this cream can be used both in the morning and evening, it’s actually formulated to work in tandem with your skin’s natural nightly function to restore and hydrate while you sleep. Shea butter helps soothe and soften the skin, while naturally occurring biomimetic peptides form a barrier that locks in moisture and aids in cellular repair.

• •