In today’s episode we will be answering your beauty questions
- Do jade rollers work or just hype?
- Is micellar water enough to clean makeup?
- Will supplements give you better looking skin?
- Is this hot, expensive hairline worth the money?
- And are cosmetic ingredients safe?
Chit Chat
The beauty app mentioned in the program – YouCam Makeup
Beauty Stories of Science
Animal testing of cosmetics is banned and considered unreasonable
I was made aware of this interesting article which suggests that animal testing banned in the EU is actually useless because it is widely available.
This happened to me when I first heard about the ban and now the people at Cruelty Free International stepped in. This is the group behind the Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free certification.
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Are people boycotting Gillette?
Here is a controversial ad.
Repair: Does Petroleum Jelly cause acne? That concern turns out to be unscientific.
Remember a few episodes back when we talked about Petroleum Jelly? I think it was episode 169. Well, I was contacted by a listener who asked me why I was warning people about petroleum jelly and acne. He suggested that I give advice that was no longer wrong. So I looked ahead a little.
It turns out that this may not be a problem. According to a study done back in 1996 to answer the question once and for all Does petroleum jelly cause acne, Dr. Albert Kligman (who was the one who suggested that petroleum jelly may cause acne) found that petrolatum does not actually cause acne or make it worse. The advice to avoid facial products is not backed by science.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to avoid facial products that contain petroleum jelly even if you have acne-prone skin.
Question 1: (audio question)
Please explain how the jade roller or other cost rollers are used does it really help does it help Jade or any other stone?
It is reported that Jade rollers have been around for a long time, like hundreds of years. Technology comes from China and ancient cultures and therefore the development is not steeped in science.
These rollers are part of a common group called crystal facial rollers. In addition to jade, other types of crystals used include rose quartz, amethyst, and tourmaline. Basically these crystal rollers look a bit like small paint rollers with the roller part made of polished, round crystal.
To use them, simply wrap them around your face. Should it give you a facial massage that will relax your facial muscles? This may loosen things up and make your wrinkles look better or help you avoid them.
Let’s consider some of the claims made about these rollers. I searched for any scientific evidence to support the claims and here is what we found.
1. Improved skin tone and elasticity – There is no evidence that massaging anything will improve skin tone. It may affect elasticity.
2. Natural collagen development – There is no evidence that massage improves collagen production.
3. Reduce puffiness and wrinkles – Some dermatologists believe that exfoliating can help move fluid around your face which can reduce puffiness.
4. Increase blood circulation and stimulate lymphatic flow – If done vigorously enough this can also help with lymphatic drainage. But you don’t want to do it too hard because that can lead to acne breakouts which can increase inflammation.
5. Detoxification – That’s just nonsense. The crystal will not detoxify your skin.
6. Tightening pores – There is no evidence massage (or anything else) will tighten your pores.
I would also add that while there is little evidence related to facial massages benefiting the skin, there is little evidence that using something like a jade crystal will have any additional benefit.
The claims made about different crystals are tantamount to superstition. This is outside the realm of science but as far as evidence goes, magic is not real & the effects of these crystals are on you “power” whatever it is.
The bottom line is that if you like the feel of a facial massage, you might enjoy using a jade roller like this one. But there is no magic about the shape of the roller. I’m sure you can get the same benefit with a plastic roller molded and painted to look like jade.
Question 2: (audio question in progress)
My second question is about micellar water how to use it as a cleansing agent or to remove make up is it enough to use only that or is it hype or something that really works?
What is micellar water –
Micellar water is a marketing term made up so that product advertisers can sell you a different version of facial cleanser. From a formulation standpoint, you take the ingredients found in a regular mild detergent and dilute them down.
The term “micelle” refers to the composition of detergents (also known as surfactants) in the formula. Surfactants are a special type of molecule because they have a water-compatible part and an oil-compatible part. Because of this the atoms found have this structure where they arrange themselves in spherical structures at the microscopic level. These particles are known as micelles.
When you use the product the micelles open up, surrounding the oil-soluble impurities, which can be washed away or wiped away.
But you know what, this is the exact same method as facial cleanser!!
The truth is that micellar water is just a diluted cleanser. There is a slight difference in that some products use a positively charged surfactant (called a cationic surfactant) instead of the traditional nonionic surfactants found in standard facial cleansers.
Question 3:
Jesse wants to know – What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of taking vitamins and supplements for skin health?
1. There is almost no good evidence that a person with a normal diet will get any benefit from taking supplements to improve their skin. There are many isolated studies that show some evidence but these have not been replicated and are not well designed. Actually, if you are malnourished it can help the skin but for normal people, no.
e.g
2. The only thing that may have some effect on it is Collagen supplements. I don’t find the evidence compelling since it hasn’t been independently replicated, but there is at least one double-blind placebo-controlled study. eg (
3. There is no evidence that pills or powders or liquid supplements will make a difference. I would suggest to consumers who find the use of supplements compelling to explore the form that works best for them. Pills are preferred by some but liquids by others. It won’t make much difference in terms of absorption and effect on the skin.
Question 4:
Anne from Vancouver says – Glad you’re back! Happy New Year! I would like your comments about Hair line. Here is an example of a product – the Sscalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo.
As to whether the products are worth the price or not, it depends on what you are willing to spend. Products that avoid the use of silicones and are sulfate-free often cost more per pound because ingredient companies take advantage of market trends and charge more for ingredients. In addition, natural ingredients, such as esters, oils or extracts, are more expensive because they rely on Mother Nature to harvest, and in addition they need to be processed, so they tend to be more expensive, more than the silicones used in hair care to make the hair feel good. This is not always the case because there are very effective silicones that do great things on expensive hair.
Question 5:
Finally, Camie asks – are the ingredients listed in the cosmetics safe to use and what are the side effects?
There is a simple answer to this. Yes, the ingredients listed in the cosmetics are safe to use. In fact, in the US and around the world it is illegal to sell unsafe products, it’s that simple.
CIR is the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board
The makeup is safe to use so it’s nothing to worry about. But if you are afraid of makeup, don’t use it. You don’t have to wear makeup to live a happy, healthy life. However, for many people makeup makes them feel better about themselves and feel happier.
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