Understanding Cosmetic "Claims"

OK. So its hard not to notice all the TV commercials and print ads for cosmetics that claim to improve the tone of your skin or fend off age spots etc. Well, I've done a couple derm. rotations now and i'd like to save somebody some money, or at least make them wiser consumers. Take this foundation for example by clinique, which is called "even better" foundation, SPF 15, evens and corrects. So how exactly does this foundation even and correct? Well usually (well, a properly labeled product) should say on the back what the active ingredient is when they make any sort of claim, such as "even and correct" in this case. If you flip to the back label, you will see Titanium Dioxide as the active ingredient, which is nothing more than a physical sunscreen. It is true that sunscreen over dark spots will help them fade a bit faster but you can save yourself a bunch of $$$ and just put on some sunscreen yourself and not buy said product. Also, most studies show the SPF in cosmetics doesn't really amount to much. Therefore you can "even and correct" infinitely better with a proper drugstore sunscreen. Hope that helped someone. Always check the active ingredients when you read any sort of cosmetic claim!

The best moisturizer I've ever used, period

So, I've finished 4 weeks of my derm. rotation. I just wanted to pass on some information for anyone out there who is possibly reading this blog. The best moisturizer I've ever found (and what I was surprised to find the dermatologists at work were actually recommending- no pharmaceutical reps are allowed to come to the academic center where I work- is the above product. I don't use it everyday, but I use it on my face and elbows when I feel like my skin's getting really really dry. You just need to use a tiny bit of this stuff and its really well priced for how long it lasts (you can find it at most major stores, I got mine at CVS). I've only gone through about half the jar in a year. Its really great for super dry flaky skin or patches.

new face wash

am going to start using a new face wash starting first thing tomorrow morning. i had heard good things about this product through the grapevine and the thing that really got me willing enough to try it was the fact that it contains quite a large percentage of benzoyl peroxide (an antibacterial and skin peeling agent).
will report back on how well I think its actually working.

UPDATE: after one week of use, using every other day until my skin gets used to it, appears to be working. also found out that certain dermatologists actually recommend this very product to be used in conjunction with something like Retin-A-micro.
UPDATE #2: while this product does work really well. I couldn't help but feel like it really really dried my skin out, especially in the winter. After sticking it out for a couple months, I switched to a 5% benzoyl peroxide gel that I apply to problem areas after washing my face with a mild cleanser. I find this works better for me. For someone with mild acne, who is looking for a quick regimen with normal (non-sensitive) skin, this product will work really well. For someone with drier or more sensetive skin, a regular spot application of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide would probably work better. You can find this easily in any grocery store or drug store. Usually sells for less than $3 and will last you at least six months.