Beauty Fact: The other day I heard that fish scales were in lipstick. What?! I had never heard this before so I researched it and it's true! "Guanine" is the ingredient in cosmetics (not just lipstick) that is made from fish scales and related to guano, bird poo. It's technically a colorant but it's good at covering up blemishes and makes products more opaque. How interesting! Does this make anyone grossed out? Leave a comment and let me know!

Image: Google Images
References: www.thebeautybrains.com
                       www.cosmeticsinfo.org

I always find products that advertise they can "shrink pores" and unfortunately a lot of people believe this. The way they're getting by with this is that they're typically saying their product makes "pores appear smaller". Yes, "appear" because they are in fact still just as big but because they're being filled in or covered over, their size is not as apparent. My dermatologist told me long ago that it was impossible to shrink pores by applying a product or by doing any type of at-home remedy (like splashing cold water on your face).

Dr. Debra Jailman, a NYC dermatologist, said in an article by the Huffington Post, that the only way to truly shrink pores is by using a non-ablative laser, like Medlite or Genesis or by getting a series of Fraxel laser treatments done. She says these methods are permanent and effective.

If that's going to cost too much for you (as these are pretty expensive procedures!), a good product to use is Clinique's "Pore Minimizer Instant Perfecter". It's pretty much a spackle for the face. It also gives a matte finish; I love it! A little goes a long ways, so the investment is definitely worth it in my opinion (it's about $25).

Image: Google Images
References: www.HuffingtonPost.com