Beauty Myths Busted!

Should we blindly believe the beauty wisdom we are given or should we separate fact from myth? Hemchhaya De answers the question myths

- Hemchhaya De

C-T-M is the new A-B-C, albeit of skincare, and we all know it. As a salon specialist, you have to stress the importance of regular cleansing, toning, moisturising and sun protection to your clients. You also have to help them sort through the onslaught of marketing terms that may cloud their judgment of products. We help you understand why some techniques are popular, and how to tell a genuine claim from a marketing ploy so your clients can achieve their skin and hair care goals effectively. We bust some popular myths, and get you thinking the right way about what you include in your client’s beauty regimen.

SKINCARE

MYTH #1

HERBAL = HARMLESS The lure of skin-friendly herbal products is obvious, but not all of them are created equal. “Even though using herbal and organic products is better than using chemical-based beauty products, there is a chance that they might not suit your skin,” says Pallavi Mehra, marketing manager, VanityCask, a platform for curating luxury beauty products. “While one ingredient might work well for a particular skin type, it might be a little harsh on others.” It is, therefore, important to test even herbal products on your skin before you start using them.

MYTH #2

A FOUNDATION WITH SPF IS ENOUGH SUN PROTECTION

While it makes perfect sense to use a foundation with inbuilt SPF, experts say it alone is not enough to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. “In cities such as Delhi, where the sun is hot, and pollution levels are high, you absolutely need a base layer of sunblock in addition to your makeup,” says celebrity dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia. Wear a sunscreen with high SPF when there is a chance of prolonged exposure to the sun.

MYTH #3

A HYPOALLERGENIC PRODUCT IS THE BEST BET FOR SENSITIVE SKIN