Mid Brain says…
Two weeks ago the Beauty Brains challenged you to figure out which was the fake beauty science headline. It turns out that the Brains community performed much better than you did in the previous poll. A full 45% of you were not fooled by the fake nanoparticle headline. Read on for the rest of the stories and explanations.
1. Cow brain compound slows down skin aging – [TRUE]
According to research reported this summer in the Journal of Lipid research, scientists have found that a 
naturally occuring fat molecule demonstrated the potential to slow down skin aging. Only 27% of you thought this might be fake but it is true. The ingredient, phosphatidylserine, is most abundant in bovine brain tissue.
Fears about mad cow disease might sidetrack this technology
2. Skin not penetrated by nanoparticles – [FALSE]
Almost half (45%) of you were able to figure out we were misleading you with this one. Indeed, scientists have reported that nanoparticles can migrate through the skin’s barrier and into the body. A team led by Dr. Lisa DeLouise of the University of Rochester Medical Center showed that special nanoparticles called quantum dots seeped through the skin when exposed to UV light.
It will be interesting to see if nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide used in cosmetics can also penetrate the skin. And also whether there are hazardous to our health.
3. Visible light can improve skin structure – [TRUE]
20% of you couldn’t imagine that shining light on your skin could have positive effects on the structure, but according to a report in the Archives of Dermatology, it can! Photodynamic therapy was shown to increase the production of collagen. Your body’s natural slowing of collagen production is one of the primary reasons your skin ages.
Hey, maybe a way to re-tool tanning beds to help rather than hurt skin
4. Skin creams can make skin drier – [TRUE]
I have to say, I’m surprised more people weren’t taken in by this paradoxical headline. Only 8% were fooled. Recent research done by Izabela Buraczewska, a PHD candidate at Uppsala University in Sweeden, showed that using certain creams made your skin drier. She also compared mineral oil to vegetable oil and found both had a drying effect. Another instance where “natural” isn’t better. The negative findings weren’t true of all formulas however. Some skin creams enhanced the protective barrier of the skin.
There really is a difference when it comes to skin moisturizing formulas.
Did you get it right? Which story was most interesting to you? Leave a comment and let the other Beauty Brains know.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
OK, Beauty Brains, as a massage therapist I was quite interested to read that “She also compared mineral oil to vegetable oil and found both had a drying effect. Another instance where “natural” isn’t better. The negative findings weren’t true of all formulas however. Some skin creams enhanced the protective barrier of the skin.”
With the above being the case, what do you recommend as being a non-drying vegetable/fruit/nut oil suitable for massage purposes?
The type of oil you use probably doesn’t matter much (at least according to this study). The important thing to do would be to wipe the massage oil off and apply moisturizing cream when you’re finished.
Actually there is a company called KOBO that is working with TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles and have found that the nanosized oxides do improve sun protection.