Are at-home versions of oxygen facials worth the hype?
By Dr. Mehmet Oz, Rodale's Organic Life
The Claim
New, at-home oxygen beauty masks promise to boost circulation and cell turnover so you'll look extra radiant.
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Oz Says
There's
probably some truth to the premise, but you might want to wait before
rushing to buy the product. The type of oxygen in these masks may do your skin good—it's
different from the damaging, "unstable" type that's formed by UV light
and pollution. This "friendly" oxygen is thought to help rev up the
activity of mitochondria in your cells, says Whitney Bowe, M.D., an associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
[post_ads]That stimulates the skin to produce collagen, get rid of old cells, and make new ones—a process that can help hold back signs of aging.
But there's no evidence yet on whether oxygen in mask form can
penetrate skin enough to make a difference. And any improvement could be
due to other get-you-glam ingredients in the products.
"The oxygen may help with a glow, at least temporarily, in the same way exfoliation
and massage do," Bowe says. "But it's not likely to replace anti-agers
like retinol." If you're looking for real changes, best to stick with a
more proven product.
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