Monday

Happy Monday! Today, we're beginning another amazing week of self-care with:

• What you need to know about medical-grade skincare

• How your hair products and acne may be related

• Learn a language in just 10 minutes a day

• The benefits of simplifying your skincare

What To Know About Medical-Grade Skincare

The term “medical-grade skincare” may sound fancy and like it’s surely good for your skin.

After all, medical-grade means dermatologists would make or approve it, right?

Not necessarily.

Shereene Idriss, MD, clinical instructor in dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City, told SELF that there is no specific requirement for studies to be done on skincare products, and there’s not a lot of regulations for how they can be marketed.

So technically, any skincare product could be dubbed “medical-grade” in an effort to seem higher-end or of a better quality.

This may also mean it comes with a higher price tag — and not necessarily because the product is actually better than other options.

“[The term “medical-grade”] is not backed by any sort of body of authority [like the Food and Drug Administration or Federal Trade Commission] where there are regulations as to what it means, so it’s purely a marketing term,” Idriss told SELF.

This does not mean that products that aren’t labeled “medical-grade” are bad — it just means you might want to do some research before assuming that they’re the best available.

True medical-grade skincare would only be available from a dermatologist and is made to target specific concerns.

Some over-the-counter products may contain trace amounts of ingredients that are found in much higher concentrations in true medical-grade prescription skincare (for example, retinol).

Experts say if you want to find the best active ingredients and custom skincare routine, a dermatologist can help you find products that work best for you and your specific concerns or goals.

How To Know if Your Hair Products are Causing Your Breakouts

Acne can appear for a number of reasons, including stress, new skincare products, hormones, you name it.

However, there is one potential cause of acne that many of us may not even consider: our hair products.

This can happen as different ingredients irritate our skin or oils, waxes, and silicones (common ingredients in many hair care products) migrate to your skin. They can also leave a residue, which can further affect your skin.

Some telltale signs that your hair products may be causing acne include whiteheads and tiny skin-colored bumps on your forehead, along your hairline, and the back of your neck, the American Academy of Dermatology Association shares.

Experts say to avoid putting styling products like hairspray close to your skin to minimize contact of your hair products with your skin. Being mindful of the ingredients in your products can also help limit potential breakouts.

Be sure you’re washing your hair, bedding, and hats thoroughly and using a clarifying wash or treatment every so often.

These steps can all help limit potential breakouts related to your skin products.

Start Speaking a New Language in Just 3 Weeks

Go Beyond “Hello” and “Goodbye” this fall with Babbel! Our proven method, trusted by 15 million people and developed by over 200 language experts, gets you to speak a new language quickly and confidently in as little as three weeks. With immersive podcasts, addictive games, and live online classes with expert teachers, Babbel lets you dive into a new culture. Join the millions who have already started their language journey with Babbel and enjoy a limited-time discount of 55%!

Thank you to Babbel for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Benefits of Simplifying Your Skincare Routine

The popularization of the multi-step skincare routine has encouraged many people to lengthen their product routines in the name of self-care.

However, too much of a good thing can actually damage or stress our skin.

Our skin has a natural barrier. Over time, prolonged exposure to stressors like allergens, sunlight, pollutants, and so forth can damage that barrier.

However, skincare ingredients can also lead to a stressed barrier — even leading our skin to perceive it as a threat and causing issues like acne, dryness, blotches, rashes, and more.

Furthermore, layering many products on top of one another can make it difficult for each product to work effectively.

It turns out that there may actually be some benefits to simplifying our routines and limiting the amount of products we use:

• Limit irritation: Removing products that can be irritating — like actives, exfoliants, and those with alcohols and fragrances — can remove some of those irritation-causing ingredients.

• Allow your skin to heal: When we remove those potentially irritating-causing ingredients and aren’t layering so many products on top of one another, our skin can function the way it needs to. This may help heal any breakouts, rashes, and other conditions.

• Save time and money by going back to basics: Sticking to a simple routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen may not only be good for your skin — it can also be a huge money- and time-saver!

Remember: There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a complex, multi-step skincare routine if you enjoy it and it works for you!

However, if your skin seems irritated or you simply just don’t enjoy doing many skincare steps, there can be some great upsides to going for a more simple routine.

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False, there is such thing as "too much" skincare. It can cause issues like dryness, breakouts, and more.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: While we may feel pressure from social media to have extensive skincare routines, find what works best for you.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!