Dos and don'ts of personal care

If you have sensitive skin, or you're concerned about ingredients in personal-care products, follow these guidelines from Dr. Zoe Diana Draelos, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine:

DO

• Choose powdered products when possible. They have few preservatives and few ingredients that can cause skin irritation. Women who prefer liquid foundation should choose a silicone-based brand.

• Use black eyeliner and mascara. Black is the least allergenic colorant.

• Use pencil eyeliner and eyebrow fillers. Liquid eyeliners contain latex.

• Stick to tan, cream, white or beige eye shadows. They cause less eyelid irritation.

• Wash makeup brushes and sponges regularly, as they harbor dirt and germs.

DON'T

• Use waterproof cosmetics. The solvent required to remove them also strips skin's natural oily barrier and exposes it to potential irritants.

• Use expired cosmetics, as they may be spoiled or contaminated. If there's no date, assume one year for foundation and lipstick, three to four months for mascara and two years for powder and shadows.

• Buy sunscreen with active ingredients other than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

• Buy any product that contains more than 10 ingredients.

• Use nail polish. Many of its components are irritating and allergenic.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology
By ABIGAIL LEICHMAN. Contact: leichman@northjersey.com
Via: www.northjersey.com