Skin & Makeup/Cosmetics Use

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• QWhat kind of makeup is best to wear while exercising?

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  A YouBeauty answered

  Many women would rather die than go to the gym without wearing makeup to keep their blemishes and dark spots covered. So if wearing makeup while exercising is a must for you, follow this expert advice:

  YouBeauty Cosmetic Chemistry Expert Ni’Kita Wilson says when shopping for cosmetics that can take the heat of a vigorous workout, “look for the most transfer-resistant makeup possible; it has a better chance of surviving your workout or physically demanding job. Pick a makeup with light coverage. Heavier coverage makeup has more pigment and is more likely to get caught in your pores, causing breakouts.”

  Silicone-based foundations are best suited to exercise conditions, according to makeup artist Kevin James Bennett, a cosmetics expert for the International Esthetics Advisory Board of Leslie Baumann, MD, dermatologist and author.

  “The cosmetic silicone molecules are too large to penetrate or become lodged in pores and are naturally water resistant,” Bennett told us.

  Rae Cosmetics (a line of makeup designed for active women) Founder Rochelle Rae says makeup worn during exercise should be oil-free, allowing the skin to breathe.

  “Oil-based cosmetics trap the sweat under the makeup, forcing it [to smear],” Rae says.

• QWhat is BB cream?

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  A YouBeauty answered

  “The ‘BB’ in BB Cream stands for blemish balm,” explains Alyssa Kobel, Marketing Director for skincare company Boscia. “In Asia, a blemish is any skin imperfection—not just pimples. It could be sunspots, blackheads, uneven skin tone.”

  Although the creams are a hit in Asia, "BB cream was originally developed in Germany for post procedure coverage (i.e. face lift) to treat and conceal," explains Sephora Director of Merchandising for Skincare, Carolyn Bojanowski.

• QHow do BB creams work?

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  A YouBeauty answered

  Typically, BB Creams provide sheer, buildable, natural-looking color, much like a tinted moisturizer. They also leave skin (temporarily) silky-feeling and poreless-looking, thanks to silicone, which is often one of the first ingredients you’ll see if you check the label. (Look for “cyclopentasiloxane” or “dimethicone.”)

  As far as sun protection, BB Creams are a good choice for everyday wear, Arielle Kauvar, MD, director of New York Laser and Skincare, told us. Some contain ideal UV-screening all-physical sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxid.

  The bottom line? BB Creams may not be quite the miracle-in-a-tube they’re billed as (nothing ever is!), but they are a quick, easy way to fake a more flawless complexion and get an effective dose of daily sun protection.

• QIs spray tanning safe for skin?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Spray tanning products containing DHA are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

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• QAre the amounts of chemicals in cosmetics too small to matter?

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  A Environmental Working Group (EWG) answered

  Most personal care products contain large volumes of chemicals, both natural and synthetic. Some ingredients may be benign, but some that have been proven to be harmful are still on the market. There’s often little safety research on cosmetics, so potential hazards have not been identified. Products can be sold for years before science catches up, especially since manufacturers are not required to assess the health risks of their products. And most importantly: No one can really assess the safety of your cumulative exposures to cosmetic ingredients.
• QWhat cosmetic ingredient is most likely to cause an allergic reaction?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Fragrance, which is found in many cosmetic and skin-care lines, is a common culprit. If you find that scented products irritate you, look for products bearing " fragrance free" or " without perfume" on their labels. Even products labeled" unscented" might include an added plain fragrance, which can mask the odor of strong chemicals.

• QWhat lipstick shade should I use if I have yellow teeth?

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  A Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, DMD , Prosthodontics, answered

  First of all, it's easier to get rid of the yellow teeth than gray, because typically they're stains (versus the tetracycline syndrome) and a good dentist can get rid of them easily. But until you do get them whitened, stick with pink shades that have blue undertones.
• QWhat lipstick shades draw attention to my teeth?

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  A Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, DMD , Prosthodontics, answered

  The deeper, the darker or the brighter the lipstick shade you wear is going to make your teeth more apparent. If you don't want to draw attention to your teeth, stick with neutral tones, whether it's a balm or lipstick. Even clear lip gloss isn't a great idea. Anything too shiny will draw a lot of attention to your mouth.
• QWhat lipstick shade should I use if I have gray teeth?

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  A Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, DMD , Prosthodontics, answered

  If you had tetracycline as a child or if your teeth just have a genetically gray cast to them, avoid certain reds that have too much blue tones in them, because that really enhances a smile in a negative way. I'm not a big believer in countering the gray with an orange-colored lipstick, though. Instead, choose a cool tone that has a brown base. I call it a warmer cool tone. There are pinks that literally have a brownish hue to them. Think nude pink.

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