Fine Lines

4 ASCP Fine Lines Charcoal & Micellar Esthetician Emily Morgan answers your questions A S K E S T Y E M I L Y By Emily Morgan Associated Skin Care Professionals estyemily@ascpskincare.com It seems like charcoal masks are popular, but I've seen a few scary YouTube videos of women screaming in pain as they peel them off. Are they dangerous? Charcoal is a wonderful ingredient that can yield truly amazing results when used correctly. But let's highlight that: used correctly. Many of these charcoal peel-off masks that have become an online sensation may do what they say and lift a few blackheads out, but that doesn't mean they're beneficial to your skin or that they're even efficient at doing the task that's advertised. Some of these masks are so difficult to peel off, it's almost like receiving a full face wax, leaving the unsuspecting customer with raw, beet-red skin. Sure, some of the blackheads on your nose came off, but so did the rest of your skin. In some cases, these masks have unintentionally been left on the skin for too long due to the difficulty of removal, causing burns and welts from overexposure. Ouch! Aside from the extremely unpleasant sensitivity and redness these masks can leave, for some skin types, a peel like this can be detrimental. People who fall under what skin care professionals refer to as Fitzpatrick IV–V skin types (this typically includes people of Black, Hispanic, and/or Asian ethnicity) are especially more prone to experiencing permanent patches of lighter skin from harsh treatments like these charcoal peel masks. And don't even get me started on the actual (and unknown?!) ingredients contained in some of these products. Pro Tip: If you're ordering it from Amazon, expect the unexpected. Long story short, yes, there is a significant risk to trying out charcoal peel-off masks. If you're looking for a way to remove blackheads, seek out help from a skin care professional. You'll receive a treatment tailored to your unique needs and skin conditions, not something out of a plastic wrap from who-knows- where that will do who-knows-what. What is micellar water? Does it remove makeup as well as a typical facial cleanser? Micellar water (pronounced like "I keep all the junk I can't bear to toss downstairs in my-cellar") is a delightful, oil-based cleansing product that I'm personally a big fan of. Now, I know some of you see the word oil and think, "Heck no! I already have plenty of oil on my face. I don't need any more of it, thanks!" But oil actually helps break down oil, meaning it can cleanse your face and help balance your natural oil production without stripping your skin of every nutrient it needs (like soap does). So, now that we know oil is our friend, what makes micellar water so great? Well, it can do everything! Because the micelles (which are the little balls of oil you see floating around in the bottle) are so good at breaking down dirt and buildup on the skin, it does an A+ job as a makeup remover for even the cakiest of faces. But that doesn't mean you can skip your double-cleanse routine! Once you've gone ahead and removed your makeup, another quick round of micellar cleansing will focus all of its oil-attracting efforts on making sure the skin under that layer of makeup is properly cleansed and will help balance your oil-production levels. And since it doesn't strip your skin of good oils, micellar water will help keep your skin happy and hydrated. So basically, micellar water has all the beneficial properties of a makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer all in one incredibly affordable bottle. And I know what you're thinking—no, this does not replace all those things. It is still very important to make sure you are using products that are suitable for your skin type and that are formulated to help manage whatever skin condition you may be concerned about (for example, micellar water is not a cure-all product for those with more heavily acne-prone skin). But, for those who are looking for an effective, gentle, and low-cost way to keep your skin squeaky clean, micellar water is a great place to start! ▪ Have a question for Esty Emily? Email her at estyemily@ascpskincare.com.

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