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subscribe to beauty blog via RSSDefying Gravity: As Simple As Your Application Technique?
December 22, 2008 11:32 am
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ ellenberg@condenast.com.
I’ve always been told that when applying cleansers or lotions to my face, it’s best to apply in an upward motion. Is this true and if so, why?
Obviously, gravity is the force that pulls everything down, including your skin. So there are many who think we should apply all our products in the opposite direction. However, there’s no scientific data to support the notion that the direction of application makes any difference when putting on cleansers or lotions. That being said, the skin on the face is relatively thin in certain areas, like around the eyes, and pulling or rubbing could cause damage. More important is to apply products with clean hands to avoid introducing harmful bacteria to the skin. In addition, apply your moisturizer just after you wash to help seal in the moisture and keep your skin well-hydrated. Furthermore, make sure to choose products that are appropriate for your skin type. What you apply is much more important than the direction in which you apply it.
A member of the American Academy of Dermatology and an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital, Debra J. Wattenberg has a cosmetic dermatology practice in New York City, where she specializes in antiaging cosmetic procedures, as well as the prevention and early detection of skin cancer. In addition to making regular television appearances as a skincare expert, she has served as a consultant to some of the leading cosmetic companies in the world, including Procter & Gamble’s Dove advisory council, Medicis, Allergan, and La Roche-Posay.
tags: Botox, Debra J. Wattenberg, Mount Sinai Hospital, Procter & Gamble, Skincare
