Posts Tagged ‘breeding ground’

When it comes to skin care, most people focus on the importance of washing the skin.  And indeed, washing is very important for sloughing off oil, dirt, and dead skin.  But what sometimes gets left out of the equation is how important it is to dry skin thoroughly. 

Wet skin can actually cause acne.  One of the reasons for acne is bacteria living on the skin and clogging pores.  A wet environment fosters the growth of bacteria.  This is especially dangerous on areas like the back, where sometimes people get dressed before they are completely dry.  The wet skin trapped in clothes, especially in non-natural fibers like polyester or rayon, can not breathe and dry properly.  The skin then becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

In fact, if you have problems with acne on your back of the variety that are small, clustered blemishes, it is likely that at least some of it is caused by skin that hasn’t been dried properly.  This can lead to confusion; it may seem as though the acne is persistent despite regular or even increased cleaning.  But if every time the area was cleaned it wasn’t dried properly, those extra cleanings may actually be making the problem worse.

The good news is that this problem is very easy to correct.  Simply make sure to rinse all soap off of your skin before you’re done with your shower or wash, and to dry your skin thoroughly.  One danger that might not be so obvious to those who shower and dress without thinking is wet hair.  For women especially, wet hair can get your back and chest wet even after you’ve already dried them once.  This can be misleading, because you might believe you have dried your skin thoroughly only to have it dampened by the water clinging to your hair.  One way to resolve this problem is to dry and style your hair before you get dressed.  That way you will be able to give your skin one last towel-off before you put your clothes on. 

The importance of washing skin thoroughly is well-known.  But the fact is that drying skin thoroughly is just as important, even though its importance is often overlooked.  If you have problem acne, especially on your back, make sure that you are drying your skin thoroughly every time you shower, bathe, or wash.

Oh how we envy those fresh-faced women with smooth, unblemished skin and no pores whose makeup always looks impeccable. We scour department and cosmetic stores in search of those holy bottles, tubes and jars of makeup that will bring our skin up to par and make us beautiful again. While we may be drawn in by the pretty colors, shiny packaging and intricate details, the most important thing we should look for is the expiration date, because cosmetics and moisturizers expire – and it’s not just a ploy to keep us coming back for more.

Great-looking skin and makeup doesn’t come from buying the most expensive lines, but it does require more than face wash and a good moisturizer. Aside from your daily cleansing routine, care for your skin by replacing dated cosmetics regularly. Cosmetic contamination can occur at any time since they’re continually in contact with germ-prone areas, such as your fingers, eyes and mouth. Skin and eye infections can occur from the beauty products you’ve been applying for years on end, blissfully unaware your cosmetics are a breeding ground for bacteria! Conjunctivitis, also known as Pink Eye, is a common occurrence for outdated products as is acne and other infections.

The basic rule of thumb is to throw anything out that has changed in color, consistency or has a bad smell. Read on to know when to toss your gloss and more.

Foundation: Water-based foundation can be kept for 12 months. Oil-based foundation is usually good for 18 months.

Concealer: Typically good for 1 year.

Powder: Generally good for 2 years.

Mascara: Good for 3 months tops! Mascara is one of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria. When using it, do not pump the wand up and down. You will allow air in the mascara tube where germs like to populate.

Lipstick:  Usually good for 12 to 18 months. To make it last longer, store it in the refrigerator. Because it is applied to the mouth, it has the tendency to harbor bacteria and germs.

Lip gloss: Good for 6 months to 1 year.

Lip or eye pencil: Generally good for 1-2 years if you sharpen it every time you use it. Toss after 1 year if you wet the tip with saliva or water or if it doesn’t perform as it should.

Lip balm: Typically good for 2 years.

Eye shadow: Usually good for 1 year. If it starts to break apart or doesn’t apply right, toss it!

Powder blush and bronzer: Good for 2 years.

Cream blush: Only good for 6 months to 1 year.

Moisturizer: Good for 12 to 18 months. Yes, your moisture expires, too!

Eye cream:

When it comes to skin care, most people focus on the importance of washing the skin.  And indeed, washing is very important for sloughing off oil, dirt, and dead skin.  But what sometimes gets left out of the equation is how important it is to dry skin thoroughly. 

Wet skin can actually cause acne.  One of the reasons for acne is bacteria living on the skin and clogging pores.  A wet environment fosters the growth of bacteria.  This is especially dangerous on areas like the back, where sometimes people get dressed before they are completely dry.  The wet skin trapped in clothes, especially in non-natural fibers like polyester or rayon, can not breathe and dry properly.  The skin then becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

In fact, if you have problems with acne on your back of the variety that are small, clustered blemishes, it is likely that at least some of it is caused by skin that hasn’t been dried properly.  This can lead to confusion; it may seem as though the acne is persistent despite regular or even increased cleaning.  But if every time the area was cleaned it wasn’t dried properly, those extra cleanings may actually be making the problem worse.

The good news is that this problem is very easy to correct.  Simply make sure to rinse all soap off of your skin before you’re done with your shower or wash, and to dry your skin thoroughly.  One danger that might not be so obvious to those who shower and dress without thinking is wet hair.  For women especially, wet hair can get your back and chest wet even after you’ve already dried them once.  This can be misleading, because you might believe you have dried your skin thoroughly only to have it dampened by the water clinging to your hair.  One way to resolve this problem is to dry and style your hair before you get dressed.  That way you will be able to give your skin one last towel-off before you put your clothes on. 

The importance of washing skin thoroughly is well-known.  But the fact is that drying skin thoroughly is just as important, even though its importance is often overlooked.  If you have problem acne, especially on your back, make sure that you are drying your skin thoroughly every time you shower, bathe, or wash.

When it comes to skin care, most people focus on the importance of washing the skin.  And indeed, washing is very important for sloughing off oil, dirt, and dead skin.  But what sometimes gets left out of the equation is how important it is to dry skin thoroughly. 

Wet skin can actually cause acne.  One of the reasons for acne is bacteria living on the skin and clogging pores.  A wet environment fosters the growth of bacteria.  This is especially dangerous on areas like the back, where sometimes people get dressed before they are completely dry.  The wet skin trapped in clothes, especially in non-natural fibers like polyester or rayon, can not breathe and dry properly.  The skin then becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

In fact, if you have problems with acne on your back of the variety that are small, clustered blemishes, it is likely that at least some of it is caused by skin that hasn’t been dried properly.  This can lead to confusion; it may seem as though the acne is persistent despite regular or even increased cleaning.  But if every time the area was cleaned it wasn’t dried properly, those extra cleanings may actually be making the problem worse.

The good news is that this problem is very easy to correct.  Simply make sure to rinse all soap off of your skin before you’re done with your shower or wash, and to dry your skin thoroughly.  One danger that might not be so obvious to those who shower and dress without thinking is wet hair.  For women especially, wet hair can get your back and chest wet even after you’ve already dried them once.  This can be misleading, because you might believe you have dried your skin thoroughly only to have it dampened by the water clinging to your hair.  One way to resolve this problem is to dry and style your hair before you get dressed.  That way you will be able to give your skin one last towel-off before you put your clothes on. 

The importance of washing skin thoroughly is well-known.  But the fact is that drying skin thoroughly is just as important, even though its importance is often overlooked.  If you have problem acne, especially on your back, make sure that you are drying your skin thoroughly every time you shower, bathe, or wash.

When it comes to skin care, most people focus on the importance of washing the skin.  And indeed, washing is very important for sloughing off oil, dirt, and dead skin.  But what sometimes gets left out of the equation is how important it is to dry skin thoroughly. 

Wet skin can actually cause acne.  One of the reasons for acne is bacteria living on the skin and clogging pores.  A wet environment fosters the growth of bacteria.  This is especially dangerous on areas like the back, where sometimes people get dressed before they are completely dry.  The wet skin trapped in clothes, especially in non-natural fibers like polyester or rayon, can not breathe and dry properly.  The skin then becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

In fact, if you have problems with acne on your back of the variety that are small, clustered blemishes, it is likely that at least some of it is caused by skin that hasn’t been dried properly.  This can lead to confusion; it may seem as though the acne is persistent despite regular or even increased cleaning.  But if every time the area was cleaned it wasn’t dried properly, those extra cleanings may actually be making the problem worse.

The good news is that this problem is very easy to correct.  Simply make sure to rinse all soap off of your skin before you’re done with your shower or wash, and to dry your skin thoroughly.  One danger that might not be so obvious to those who shower and dress without thinking is wet hair.  For women especially, wet hair can get your back and chest wet even after you’ve already dried them once.  This can be misleading, because you might believe you have dried your skin thoroughly only to have it dampened by the water clinging to your hair.  One way to resolve this problem is to dry and style your hair before you get dressed.  That way you will be able to give your skin one last towel-off before you put your clothes on. 

The importance of washing skin thoroughly is well-known.  But the fact is that drying skin thoroughly is just as important, even though its importance is often overlooked.  If you have problem acne, especially on your back, make sure that you are drying your skin thoroughly every time you shower, bathe, or wash.