Skin & Makeup/Cosmetics Use

Recently Answered

• 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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• QHow long do cosmetics last?

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  A Riverside Women's Health answered

  You may not be able to use eye make-up, such as mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow for as long as other products. This is because of the risk of eye infection. Some experts recommend replacing mascara three months after purchase. If mascara becomes dry, throw it away. Don't add water or, even worse, saliva to moisten it. That will bring bacteria into the product.
  
  You may also need to watch certain "all natural" products that contain substances taken from plants. These products may be more at risk for bacteria. Since these products contain no preservatives or have non-traditional ones, your risk of infection may be greater.
  
  If you don't store these products as directed, they may expire before the expiration date. For example, cosmetics stored in high heat may go bad faster than the expiration date. On the other hand, products stored the way they should be can be safely used until they expire.
  
  This answer is based on source information from National Women's Health Information Center.
• QHow can I protect myself against the dangers of cosmetics?

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  A Riverside Women's Health answered

  Following are some of the ways to protect yourself against the dangers of cosmetics:

  • Never drive and put on make-up. Not only does this make driving a danger, hitting a bump in the road and scratching your eyeball can cause serious eye injury.
  • Never share make-up. Always use a new sponge when trying products at a store. Insist that salespersons clean container openings with alcohol before applying to your skin.
  • Keep make-up containers closed tight when not in use.
  • Keep make-up out of the sun and heat. Light and heat can kill the preservatives that help to fight bacteria. Do not keep cosmetics in a hot car for a long time.
  • Don't use cosmetics if you have an eye infection, such as pinkeye. Throw away any make-up you were using when you first found the problem.
  • Never add liquid to a product unless the label tells you to do so.Throw away any make-up if the color changes, or it starts to smell.
  • Never use aerosol sprays near heat or while smoking, because they can catch on fire.Do not deeply inhale hairsprays or powders. This can cause lung damage.
  • Avoid color additives that are not approved for use in the eye area, such as "permanent" eyelash tints and kohl (color additive that contains lead salts and is still used in eye cosmetics in other countries). Be sure to keep kohl away from children. It may cause lead poisoning.

  The answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.
• QDo sunless tanners work?

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  A RealAge answered

  The only way to get a perfect tan -- no strap marks, no red zones, just even, glowing gold -- is with a sunless tanner. Whether it’s professionally sprayed on or DIY at home, they work amazingly well. The active ingredient in most of the do-it-yourselfers is a simple nontoxic sugar called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Just remember that these surface tans afford no UV protection, so you still need to slather on your favorite sunscreen.
  
  From The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin, and a Whole New You by Amy Wechsler.

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• QWhy is it important to remove my makeup before I go to sleep?

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

  

  Keeping makeup on stretches your pores, which makes the face appear older and allows for more areas to gather bacteria. In this video, Dr. Oz demonstrates what makeup can do to your face and why you’ll want to wash your face each night.

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