Do you know whether these common skin care statements are true or false? Take the quiz and find out if you’re a beauty genius or should go back to cosmetics class!

Beauty IQ Questions

1. Good genetics is the most important factor in how your skin looks.
2. As you age, you should exfoliate more often than when you are young.
3. A necessary step in skincare is using a toner or freshener after cleansing.
4. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid using products that list “fragrance” on their ingredient labels.
5. Natural ingredients are always better for your skin than synthetic or chemical ones.
6. When choosing foundation, you should try the shade on your neck, not on your face.
7. Once you find a makeup look that works for you, you should stick to it.
8. Cosmetic puffs or pads are all the same, so buy the cheapest.
9. Reduce pore size by washing with piping hot water and rinse with icy cold.
10. It’s more important to use sunscreen everyday than only when on vacation.

Answers

Question 1. False. 40% of skin’s appearance is due to genetics, while 60% is under your control. You can prevent problems and improve skin texture by using daily sunscreen, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting stress and avoiding smoking.

Question 2. False. When you are young, cell production is at its peak, so more new skin cells are produced. It’s important to clear away old, dulling cells by exfoliating more often to leave the new, younger cells on the skin’s surface. As you age, cell production slows down and it’s more important to keep the skin well-moisturized and viable. In your twenties, exfoliate with a scrub containing grains twice a week. In your thirties, once a week; once a month in your forties. After that, use a damp 100% cotton face cloth, and that should be all the exfoliating “muscle” you need.

Question 3. False. Toner, freshener, astringent or clarifying lotions are all pleasant-feeling and smelling inventions of marketing departments. Nice to have, but not necessary. Their conception came about when marketers noticed that women were not rinsing their faces well, so toner became a product to rinse away the last traces of cleanser or soap. The cooling sensation from alcohol or witch hazel convinces you it’s “working,” but it doesn’t provide any improvement in skin health. Instead, spend time rinsing skin thoroughly with plenty of warm water.

Question 4. True. However…there are many ingredients that are just as irritating to sensitive skin but do not require the word “fragrance” on the label, and these are listed as essential oils. Essential oils, while natural, may mask the unpleasant odor of other ingredients and can be marketed in a product designated as “fragrance-free.” So check the label carefully for essential oils (like lemon, lavender or almond oil) and if a fragrance-free product has a discernible aroma, avoid it if your skin is sensitive.

Question 5. False. For the most part, natural ingredients are wonderful, except in the cases where technology has made significant improvements. For example, an exfoliating scrub can contain natural almond grains, but the newer polyethylene grains that are in use today are rounder and smoother and exfoliate in a much gentler manner. Almond grains may have sharp or rough edges that cause irritation and scratching. So natural isn’t necessarily better.

Question 6. True. Match foundation to your neck, so as not to have that pesky “borderline” between your face and neck, and your foundation will look perfectly natural. When testing for your shade, apply a small amount just beneath the jawline, and don’t blend it well. Even unblended, the shade swatch should match your skin perfectly and should not be apparent. If it is, you haven’t chosen the right color, so give it another try.

Question 7. False. I’m not going to say you should change your look every week and follow the latest trends, but periodically, and especially as you age, you should reevaluate what you’re using to care for your skin and what makeup colors and application techniques you use. Take a good critical look at what shades are in your cosmetics bag and how you apply them. You might even want to take a stroll through a cosmetics department to see what new colors are on display and what the models in makeup ads are wearing for some ideas. (Think about it – haven’t you ever seen a woman whose look seems stuck in another time? Don’t let that happen to you.)

Question 8. False. Cosmetic puffs and pads are not created equal. They can be made of polyester or other synthetic fibers that, over time, can cause microscopic tears in the skin or even lead to irritation, especially if you use them to remove eye makeup. Instead, be sure to look for 100% cotton and the cotton logo to be sure you are purchasing the most natural, most gentle product for your skin.

Question 9. False. Pore size is determined by heredity, skin type and age, and nothing will reduce them. Any product claiming to reduce, refine or diminish the size of your pores is not being truthful. There are products that may make your pores appear smaller, but this is purely cosmetic. Also, piping hot and icy cold water will do nothing for your pores except irritate them and redden your skin. Stick with warm for washing and rinsing.

Question 10. True. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays results in more cumulative damage to skin than a week in a tropical climate. C’mon – you’ve heard this song before, ladies. Repeat after me, “Sunscreen, EVERY DAY!”

I’d love to hear about your Beauty IQ. Did these make you think twice about some of the myths you’ve heard?

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