Latest news with #Olu
Axios
20-06-2025
- Health
- Axios
Tinted mineral sunscreen — the product of summer, with a caveat
Tinted mineral sunscreens are now available in more shades by more brands than ever before. Why it matters: They combine sun coverage and makeup in a product that appeals to " clean beauty" fans — but it's not a fit for everyone. The latest: Searches for "tinted mineral sunscreen" hit an all-time high this month, per Google Trends data. Skincare staples like Beauty of Joseon and EltaMD, and newer brands Merit Beauty and Tower 28, have launched tinted mineral sunscreens this year to meet growing demand. How it works: To reduce the white cast on the skin left by mineral sunscreen, tinted versions (and some non-tinted kinds) use smaller particle sizes and add iron oxides, says Esther Olu, a cosmetic chemist and instructor. What we're hearing: Tinted mineral sunscreens are "hydrating enough to replace your morning moisturizer" and can "offer just enough coverage that you can skip foundation or other coverup," says Nazanin Saedi, a dermatologist and associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Consumers also like the fact that mineral sunscreens don't penetrate the skin and — though they're not truly reef safe — seem better for the environment. They're especially appealing to people managing melasma or sensitive skin, "because allergic reactions to them are rare," Saedi said. Yes, but: Despite marketing promises of being " lightweight" and having a " light-as-air finish," tinted mineral sunscreens can appear "ashy" and be hard to reapply without feeling "really cakey," particularly on deeper skin tones, Olu says. It can be tough or impossible to find the right tinted mineral sunscreen: "We all have different undertones" and the available options are still "sparse," she says. Olu reviews sunscreen in social media videos, where she's shown how pure mineral sunscreens leave a white cast on her skin, and learned the hard way that tinted mineral sunscreens can stain your clothing. She prefers chemical sunscreen. Pro tip: Before you buy tinted mineral sunscreen, test a sample, or watch a reviewer with a similar skin tone apply the shade. Olu recommends creators @glowbyramon, @tamunoabbey and @ for skincare insight. Bottom line: The best sunscreen is one you'll actually use — and use enough of.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If You Buy Beauty Products At Places Like TJ Maxx, You're Going To Want To Read This ASAP
Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross have earned a devoted following for their significantly discounted deals on clothing, accessories, home goods, and beauty products from well-loved brands, and the treasure hunt-like shopping experience has become a TikTok staple, with creators sharing haul videos that capture the thrill of discovering coveted products at a steal. Recent videos show beauty lovers hunting for deals at TJ Maxx, showcasing impressive finds — like Beekman 1802's Smooth Lactic Acid & Willow Bark Goat Milk Body Cream for $14.99 (originally $45), Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40 for $29.99 (originally $44) and the NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder for $16.99 (originally $42). These discounts make it easier to stock up on everyday essentials, try out new brands without the full-price commitment, and even snag newly discontinued or rebranded products before they disappear for good. But while the allure of bargain beauty products is undeniable, ensuring they're still in good condition and not on the verge of expiring takes more than just luck. Beauty products might be a risky buy at these stores. When it comes to skin care products, especially those with active ingredients, storage and handling conditions play a crucial role in their effectiveness. Unfortunately, there's often no way to know what conditions these products were exposed to during storage or transport before reaching store shelves. According to cosmetic chemist and licensed esthetician Esther Olu, sensitive actives like vitamin C, retinoids, and chemical sunscreen filters are particularly vulnerable to heat, light, and humidity, which can degrade and destabilize them. This degradation not only reduces their benefits but can also increase the risk of skin irritation and shorten the product's shelf life. 'Vitamin C, specifically L-ascorbic acid, is highly susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air and light, breaking down into dehydroascorbic acid, a less effective form,' Olu explained. 'This degradation is often indicated by a color shift from clear or pale yellow to orange or brown.' Another concern is shoppers turning store items into testers, either opening them up to smell or dipping their fingers in to test their texture and color. As a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology Dr. Geeta Yadav points out, 'There are many ingredients used in skin care products that are considered volatile or unstable, which is why [products] should only be opened for use. In many cases, exposure to air makes these ingredients less effective over time.' Air exposure also introduces bacteria. Liquid and cream products, in particular, provide the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, thanks to their dark and damp conditions. 'You don't know what germs may have been introduced to the product if it's been opened,' Yadav said. A company spokesperson from Ross explained their quality control procedures: 'Our store associates discard products that arrive in a damaged state and monitor our beauty/cosmetics section to remove products that appear to have been opened and/or reached their expiration date,' they said. HuffPost also reached out to TJ Maxx and Marshalls for comment about their protocols to ensure quality, but hadn't received an answer at time of publication. Here's what you should look out for before you buy. Choosing smart, protective packaging can significantly increase your chances of purchasing a product that's still fresh and has safe and effective ingredients. According to Yashi Shrestha, head of chemistry at Novi (a company that helps brands, retailers, and suppliers navigate transparency, regulatory standards, and consumer demand for cleaner and more sustainable beauty products), opaque or dark bottles are ideal for shielding light-sensitive ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, preventing them from breaking down. Similarly, packaging that minimizes exposure to air, light, and direct contact, such as airless pumps, spray bottles, press-top dispensers, tubes, and twist-up sticks, helps preserve the product's stability while reducing the risk of contamination. On the other hand, jars with open-mouth designs, commonly used for face creams, body butters, and lip balms, are more prone to contamination. 'Products with wand applicators, such as mascara, lip gloss, and concealers, have a higher risk of contamination since the applicator comes into direct contact with the skin and is repeatedly reinserted into the product, potentially introducing bacteria and other microbes,' Shrestha explained. 'These vulnerabilities increase the risk of bacterial or microbial growth, which can compromise product safety and efficacy.' Even if a product is sealed, clear signs that it's been exposed to unfavorable conditions include damaged, faded, or warped packaging. 'Additionally, the texture of the product is important,' Shrestha said. 'If there's a separation of ingredients — like oils floating on top of creams or lotions — this usually indicates a degradation in quality.' If you're thinking about buying a product nearing its expiration date, it's important to ask yourself whether you'll realistically use it up in time. 'The expiration date on skin care products isn't quite like products on a supermarket shelf, which are often 'best by' dates — skin care products may not just be less effective, but less safe,' Shrestha said. Preservatives and stabilizers in skin care are only guaranteed to work up until the expiration date. After that, the product can degrade, especially once bacteria are introduced through opening and use, which can lead to irritation, redness, or even infection, depending on the product. 'This is especially risky when using eye products like mascara — you're setting yourself up for some pretty nasty infections,' Shrestha said. If you don't see an expiration date on the back of the bottle or bottom of the jar, look for a small image of an opened jar with a number on it. This symbol, called the period after opening (PAO), indicates how many months a product is safe or shelf-stable to use after being opened, Olu explained. 'If you notice a product has its seal tampered, or the PAO is not present or is unclear, I would take caution.' If there aren't expiration dates on products, Shrestha recommends using tools like CheckFresh, which allow users to input batch codes to find manufacturing dates. Avoid these items. Aside from retinoids and vitamin C-based products, Shrestha suggests purchasing sunscreen with caution. 'The effectiveness of sunscreen depends on stable active ingredients, which degrade with improper storage, like unregulated exposure to heat and light. Expired or degraded sunscreens may not provide adequate UV protection, increasing the risk of sun damage.' Olu agrees, adding that natural or organic products, which may contain fewer or natural preservatives, are often less effective at preventing microbial growth. These are a safer buy. Some product categories tend to carry lower risk due to their stable formulations and reduced sensitivity to environmental factors. Powder-based products like blush, setting powder, and eyeshadow are among the easiest to sanitize at home. 'You can pour isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle and spritz the surface of the powder before wiping off the first layer to help clean it,' Yadav said. Tools like brushes, gua shas, face rollers, and sponges are also easy to clean, while products in aerosol containers, which are typically hair formulas, are almost impossible to tamper with. Olu also points out that balms and body butters are typically safe as they're usually anhydrous and contain no water, which reduces the risk of microbial growth. However, she notes this isn't foolproof, as how a consumer handles the product can still cause issues. 'Additionally, fragrance-based products are generally safe to purchase at off-price retailers, as they typically have high alcohol content and other ingredients that act as natural preservatives to protect overall shelf stability,' Olu added. Though off-price retailers are a favorite for scoring great deals on skin care and beauty products, it's worth doing a little homework before making a purchase to keep your skin happy and healthy. 'Knowing how a product should look, smell, and feel when bought new directly from the manufacturer is very helpful,' Yadav article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Buzz Feed
09-03-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
If You Buy Beauty Products At Places Like TJ Maxx, You're Going To Want To Read This ASAP
Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross have earned a devoted following for their significantly discounted deals on clothing, accessories, home goods, and beauty products from well-loved brands, and the treasure hunt-like shopping experience has become a TikTok staple, with creators sharing haul videos that capture the thrill of discovering coveted products at a steal. Recent videos show beauty lovers hunting for deals at TJ Maxx, showcasing impressive finds — like Beekman 1802's Smooth Lactic Acid & Willow Bark Goat Milk Body Cream for $14.99 (originally $45), Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40 for $29.99 (originally $44) and the NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder for $16.99 (originally $42). These discounts make it easier to stock up on everyday essentials, try out new brands without the full-price commitment, and even snag newly discontinued or rebranded products before they disappear for good. But while the allure of bargain beauty products is undeniable, ensuring they're still in good condition and not on the verge of expiring takes more than just luck. Beauty products might be a risky buy at these stores. When it comes to skin care products, especially those with active ingredients, storage and handling conditions play a crucial role in their effectiveness. Unfortunately, there's often no way to know what conditions these products were exposed to during storage or transport before reaching store shelves. According to cosmetic chemist and licensed esthetician Esther Olu, sensitive actives like vitamin C, retinoids, and chemical sunscreen filters are particularly vulnerable to heat, light, and humidity, which can degrade and destabilize them. This degradation not only reduces their benefits but can also increase the risk of skin irritation and shorten the product's shelf life. 'Vitamin C, specifically L-ascorbic acid, is highly susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air and light, breaking down into dehydroascorbic acid, a less effective form,' Olu explained. 'This degradation is often indicated by a color shift from clear or pale yellow to orange or brown.' Another concern is shoppers turning store items into testers, either opening them up to smell or dipping their fingers in to test their texture and color. As a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology Dr. Geeta Yadav points out, 'There are many ingredients used in skin care products that are considered volatile or unstable, which is why [products] should only be opened for use. In many cases, exposure to air makes these ingredients less effective over time.' Air exposure also introduces bacteria. Liquid and cream products, in particular, provide the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, thanks to their dark and damp conditions. 'You don't know what germs may have been introduced to the product if it's been opened,' Yadav said. A company spokesperson from Ross explained their quality control procedures: 'Our store associates discard products that arrive in a damaged state and monitor our beauty/cosmetics section to remove products that appear to have been opened and/or reached their expiration date,' they said. HuffPost also reached out to TJ Maxx and Marshalls for comment about their protocols to ensure quality, but hadn't received an answer at time of publication. Here's what you should look out for before you buy. Choosing smart, protective packaging can significantly increase your chances of purchasing a product that's still fresh and has safe and effective ingredients. According to Yashi Shrestha, head of chemistry at Novi (a company that helps brands, retailers, and suppliers navigate transparency, regulatory standards, and consumer demand for cleaner and more sustainable beauty products), opaque or dark bottles are ideal for shielding light-sensitive ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, preventing them from breaking down. Similarly, packaging that minimizes exposure to air, light, and direct contact, such as airless pumps, spray bottles, press-top dispensers, tubes, and twist-up sticks, helps preserve the product's stability while reducing the risk of contamination. On the other hand, jars with open-mouth designs, commonly used for face creams, body butters, and lip balms, are more prone to contamination. 'Products with wand applicators, such as mascara, lip gloss, and concealers, have a higher risk of contamination since the applicator comes into direct contact with the skin and is repeatedly reinserted into the product, potentially introducing bacteria and other microbes,' Shrestha explained. 'These vulnerabilities increase the risk of bacterial or microbial growth, which can compromise product safety and efficacy.' Even if a product is sealed, clear signs that it's been exposed to unfavorable conditions include damaged, faded, or warped packaging. 'Additionally, the texture of the product is important,' Shrestha said. 'If there's a separation of ingredients — like oils floating on top of creams or lotions — this usually indicates a degradation in quality.' If you're thinking about buying a product nearing its expiration date, it's important to ask yourself whether you'll realistically use it up in time. 'The expiration date on skin care products isn't quite like products on a supermarket shelf, which are often 'best by' dates — skin care products may not just be less effective, but less safe,' Shrestha said. Preservatives and stabilizers in skin care are only guaranteed to work up until the expiration date. After that, the product can degrade, especially once bacteria are introduced through opening and use, which can lead to irritation, redness, or even infection, depending on the product. 'This is especially risky when using eye products like mascara — you're setting yourself up for some pretty nasty infections,' Shrestha said. If you don't see an expiration date on the back of the bottle or bottom of the jar, look for a small image of an opened jar with a number on it. This symbol, called the period after opening (PAO), indicates how many months a product is safe or shelf-stable to use after being opened, Olu explained. 'If you notice a product has its seal tampered, or the PAO is not present or is unclear, I would take caution.' If there aren't expiration dates on products, Shrestha recommends using tools like CheckFresh, which allow users to input batch codes to find manufacturing dates. Avoid these items. Aside from retinoids and vitamin C-based products, Shrestha suggests purchasing sunscreen with caution. 'The effectiveness of sunscreen depends on stable active ingredients, which degrade with improper storage, like unregulated exposure to heat and light. Expired or degraded sunscreens may not provide adequate UV protection, increasing the risk of sun damage.' Olu agrees, adding that natural or organic products, which may contain fewer or natural preservatives, are often less effective at preventing microbial growth. These are a safer buy. Some product categories tend to carry lower risk due to their stable formulations and reduced sensitivity to environmental factors. Powder-based products like blush, setting powder, and eyeshadow are among the easiest to sanitize at home. 'You can pour isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle and spritz the surface of the powder before wiping off the first layer to help clean it,' Yadav said. Tools like brushes, gua shas, face rollers, and sponges are also easy to clean, while products in aerosol containers, which are typically hair formulas, are almost impossible to tamper with. Olu also points out that balms and body butters are typically safe as they're usually anhydrous and contain no water, which reduces the risk of microbial growth. However, she notes this isn't foolproof, as how a consumer handles the product can still cause issues. 'Additionally, fragrance-based products are generally safe to purchase at off-price retailers, as they typically have high alcohol content and other ingredients that act as natural preservatives to protect overall shelf stability,' Olu added. Though off-price retailers are a favorite for scoring great deals on skin care and beauty products, it's worth doing a little homework before making a purchase to keep your skin happy and healthy. 'Knowing how a product should look, smell, and feel when bought new directly from the manufacturer is very helpful,' Yadav said. HuffPost.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Hope': Omaha mother, daughters call to revive Nebraska school choice law
Christina Chvala, center, talks at a school choice news conference with her daughters Olu, left, and Lela at the Nebraska State Capitol. Both of Chvala's girls were recipients of the Legislature's recently passed, and recently repealed, Opportunity Scholarships Act of 2023. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — An Omaha mother and her daughters encouraged state lawmakers Tuesday to revive school choice legislation to help thousands of other Nebraska families. Christina Chvala of Omaha, flanked by her daughters — 14-year-old Olu, a high school freshman, and 13-year-old Lela, a seventh-grader — joined Nebraska state senators, a couple hundred young students and other advocates of school choice in Nebraska to revive legislation that, last summer, was 'synonymous with hope' to the Chvala family. 'One of the worst feelings as a parent is knowing your child, knowing where they are going to thrive and knowing what's best for them but not having the means to be able to plant them there,' Chvala said. Chvala, a single mother for the past 10 years, said she is no stranger to strict budgets, family sacrifices of meticulously deciding spending priorities or savings and working long hours. But last July, Chvala said, she broke down in tears after getting a confirmation email that Olu was eligible for an 'opportunity scholarship' to cover attendance costs at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girl, Catholic college-preparatory high school that Olu had set her sights on. Part of the desire also stemmed from Olu's past experiences with racism and sexism. Olu had asked early last year how she could get a job to help her mother, whose extra work and responsibilities took her away from being with her daughters at sports or the dinner table. 'I just believe that as a parent, my girls are too young to have to live with that anxiety of knowing whether or not they're going to be able to finish off their school year in the school that they love and in the environment that best fits their unique needs,' Chvala said. The mother-daughter duo said Duchesne is now Olu's 'second home' as she's thriving and growing. 'I just want others like me to be able to experience that sense of belonging in a place that fits their needs perfectly,' Olu said at the news conference. State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk, one of only four state senators whose District 19 voters three months ago voted to keep the latest school choice law, led Tuesday's event in honor of National School Choice Week. His Legislative Bill 624 would reinstate Nebraska's most recent school choice program, which between July and December was housed in the Nebraska State Treasurer's Office, before 57% of Nebraskans voted to repeal the law. It appropriated $10 million annually for state-funded vouchers or scholarships to cover attendance costs at private K-12 schools. About 4,500 students in 2024 benefited from that program or the Opportunity Scholarships Act of 2023, which was set up as a tax credit for private donors funding similar scholarships. 'I firmly believe that if we want to keep kids safe, help them reach their full potential and be vibrant members of our state, we must ensure that their K-12 education experience is the one that's best for them,' Dover said. In passing the school choice legislation, we are continuing to send the message to my daughters, to these kiddos, to all of the families that are like us, that investing in the future of our children matters and that we as Nebraskans are committed to that. – Christina Chvala, an Omaha mother Another possibly revived proposal, LB 509 from freshman State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of the Elkhorn area, would reinstate the Opportunity Scholarships Act that the Chvalas benefited from. Lawmakers passed that law in 2023, preparing to lose up to $25 million annually in revenue for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations. School choice supporters in the Legislature replaced the tax credit law with the direct appropriation or vouchers partly because opponents, led by the Nebraska State Education Association representing thousands of public school teachers, had gathered thousands of signatures to repeal the original Opportunity Scholarships Act of 2023, the tax credit. After that referendum qualified for the November 2024 ballot, Sorrentino's predecessor, former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, led a legislative effort to place the second program in the State Treasurer's Office, at the smaller $10 million level, without built-in growth if there was high demand. Sorrentiono's voters elected him in November, but 54.9% of voters in his district rejected the treasurer-based vouchers program. He is asking for a 'second chance' for the short-lived tax-credit law, and others like it. I just want others like me to be able to experience that sense of belonging in a place that fits their needs perfectly. – Olu Chvala, a 14-year-old recipient of a Nebraska opportunity scholarship Sorrentino said Tuesday he is a Nebraska state senator, not just a District 39 senator in eastern Douglas County. He said he is following the lead from other districts like District 11 in North Omaha, one of the poorest in the state with the highest percentage of poverty for seniors and children. About 50.7% of voters in the North Omaha district voted to keep the program. 'I think it's every bit worth bringing it up again,' Sorrentino said, describing the policy efforts as a 'second chance.' 'I'll bring it up again until we get it right.' Sorrentino and other lawmakers say they are undeterred by the election results, saying the law didn't fail because of the policy itself. They say misinformation and millions in advertising from the teacher's union and others muddied the waters in a year of multiple ballot measures. Sorrentino said one thing he and others will continue to fight is the misperception that the programs take away from public education. He says they don't. The laws are funded through the state's general pocketbook, which includes but is not limited to state aid to schools. Opponents note the Nebraska Constitution prohibits state appropriations to schools 'not owned or exclusively controlled by the state or a political subdivision thereof.' Neither of the recent laws was challenged in court on those grounds. Though supporters of the law didn't spend millions to preserve the voucher program, this time around they will get support from Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska, which announced a 'historic grassroots campaign' Tuesday designed to rally support for school choice in Nebraska. The effort will include activists invested in 'keeping lawmakers accountable' statewide and 'waves' of print and digital advertisements. The goal is to ensure lawmakers continue to support the students who previously received state-funded or donor-funded scholarships. 'Powerful special interests have made it clear that they want to bully Nebraska kids and take away their ability to get the best education that fits their needs,' said John Gage, AFP-NE state director. 'We know that Nebraskans support school choice despite the millions of dollars in lies and deceit from narrow-minded pressure groups that care more about money than our kids getting a good education.' Sorrentino, Chvala and others believe that if voters had more information and heard personal stories, the vote might have changed. Families urge Nebraskans to retain state support to private schools The NSEA and its allies have pledged to continue fighting, too, including if that means an 'annual summer habit' of collecting signatures to repeal recently passed laws. 'We joke about it, but in all seriousness, we will out-resolve them on this issue,' Tim Royers, president of the NSEA, told the Nebraska Examiner last week. '… If they don't get that point, yes, we will absolutely put this in front of the voters again.' Royers and his counterparts in Wisconsin and Iowa have cautioned Nebraskans against allowing vouchers to begin in the Cornhusker State, which they say could lead to the state funding two education systems. Dover said senators have to weigh what's important, which should be Nebraska children feel safe, happy and that they are able to thrive. Chvala said that's where she wants to keep her focus, not on fear or dread but on 'building a legacy of hope' and being 'one step closer' to extending that benefit to more families. 'In passing the school choice legislation, we are continuing to send the message to my daughters, to these kiddos, to all of the families that are like us, that investing in the future of our children matters,' Chvala said, 'and that we as Nebraskans are committed to that.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
