How to Choose the Right Skin Care Products

When it comes to skincare, there are so many products available on the market that it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you. With all of the different brands, ingredients, and promises out there, how can you tell what's best for your skin?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to consider when choosing skincare products. We'll discuss the different types of products available and help you find the ones that will work best for your individual needs.

So don't wait any longer - read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing the right skincare products!

First, your skin type

The most important step in caring for your skin comes in understanding your specific skin type and how it adapts to certain circumstances or seasonality. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, as complex and intelligent as your heart, lungs, liver, and other vital organs. Using cleansers and treatments that are too harsh, even if they are recommended for excessive oiliness, may send the signal to your skin that more oil is actually needed. Conversely, applying moisturizers that are too thick or heavy can result in decreased natural oil production, resulting in even drier skin. Taking the time to learn your skin’s specific needs will help you to choose the right options that will balance your skin resulting in a healthier, more radiant complexion.

Every person’s skin is unique, but there are a few common skin types that may help you to identify where your skin fits in the most. The three main skin types are commonly referred to as Oily, Combination, and Dry.

Dry skin

Dry skin can feel tight throughout the day and may experience noticeable flaking. Dry skin is largely due to genetics, environmental factors such as lifestyle & diet, hormonal changes, and climate. Dehydration is also a leading cause of dry skin, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding diuretics like alcohol and caffeine can make a significant difference in how your skin feels and looks.

Daily exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients helps promote skin cell turnover without removing the skin’s natural oils. Without an additional layer of dead skin, serums and treatments will be absorbed more easily. The best moisturizers for dry skin are those containing hyaluronic acid (often listed as sodium hyaluronate in ingredients), glycerin, and marine actives like algae, because of their ability to attract water and deliver it directly to skin cells. Emollients, including squalane and camellia oil, help smooth and hydrate your skin evenly and effectively.

Normal skin

What does a normal face look like? Normal skin refers to well-balanced skin. The T-zone (head, chin, and nose) might feel quite oily but serum and moisture are balanced throughout the body and it is neither dry nor oily. It is generally healthy and has few blemishes.

Oily skin

Excess oil can oftentimes leave pores congested and clogged. The happy news however is that oily skin looks younger and more supple because it has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkle. Daily enzymatic exfoliation is essential to promote cell turnover and prevent sebum buildup in pores. A gentle physical exfoliator (that does not use abrasives such as crushed nuts or seeds that can cause tiny tears in the dermis) is also useful for balancing the tone and texture of your skin.

Oilier skin is also prone to PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), a condition that leaves dark spots on the skin after a breakout has healed. Exfoliation will also help lighten these dark spots by polishing away the uppermost layers of skin and revealing new cells. Those with moderate to severe acne breakouts should consider using an exfoliator that includes anti-bacterial ingredients to speed healing and prevent future blemishes.

Combination Skin Types

People with combination skin often experience dryness on the cheeks, making it important to find a moisturizer that is not too heavy but substantial enough to retain moisture where needed most. Those with combination skin are not prone to breakouts on their cheeks and tend to have a well-moisturized t-zone. Gentle, daily exfoliation is also important to keep the t-zone and cheek areas balanced. Moisturizers with a gel-like texture are absorbed more quickly and less likely to cause breakouts. Start with a small amount and increase as needed to avoid over-moisturizing and stressing the skin.

Sensitive skin types

Managing sensitive skin can be challenging, as it takes considerable time and effort to determine which ingredients cause inflammation and irritation. To make this process easier, introduce only one new formula or product at a time. This rule applies to both skincare and cosmetics. Patch testing a new formula on your inner forearm is an excellent way to minimize potential reactions on the face. If your skin shows no sign of flaring up, apply the formula to the area behind one of your ears before using it on your face.

Look for labels that identify formulas as non-irritating and non-sensitizing and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA, or TEA, as these ingredients can result in redness and itchiness.

Skincare products

With skin science constantly evolving, it’s hard to keep up with the latest types of skin care products and the order in which to use them. Here’s your cheat sheet for the perfect daily five-step routine to get smooth, radiant, youthful skin.

Step 1. Cleansers

The washing of your face should be the most important step in your routine. We all have contact with environmental pollution and dirt and this must only happen lightly. Rinse two times daily, morning and night, for a clear complexion, dullness, and skin problems.

Step 2. Toners

Your toner is key to wrapping up the cleansing process, removing that last bit of dirt and oil sitting deep in your pores. Toners penetrate the skin’s surface to clean and close pores, while gently exfoliating and prepping skin for the next stage of your beauty routine.

Step 3. Treating with Essense and Serums

Your face is a fresh, clean slate at this point. Well done, you! Now, it’s time to give it a boost of hydration and nutrients with an essence. Essences reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve overall tone and texture and leave skin soft and radiant.

Your next mission: Target your biggest problem areas with a serum. Whatever your skin concern is, there’s a serum for you. The serum is the most effective skin protector. The lixir has high concentrations of active substances that help to treat various skin conditions from dark spots to wrinkles. Even when there are no specific problems, everyone needs an antioxidant serum every evening to help protect them from all-day aggression.

Step 4. Moisturizers

It’s smooth-skin sailing from here on out, so finish strong with a powerful face moisturizer. Typically moisturizers prevent pore water loss from forming in the skin. They also complement the natural protective oils found on the surface of skin including ceramide. Generally, doctors recommend using this product year-round to cover any face type. The body loses the capacity for water to remain intact when we age, but daily actions - including cleaning - are able to strip natural hydrators from the surface.

Step 5. Sunscreens

Almost everyone agrees that sunscreens have always been an essential skin protection solution. Dr. Charles says this is important in your daily routine. Using daily sunscreen helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles as well as textural irregularities. For convenience, experts recommend applying a moisturizer every day with a maximum SPF of 30.

Conclusion

When choosing skincare products, it's important to consider your skin type, as using the wrong ones can cause irritation or excessive oiliness. For example, if you have oily skin, you should avoid moisturizers that are heavy or contain oils, and instead use a light, oil-free moisturizer.

You should also consider your age when choosing skincare products. As we age, our skin changes and becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Anti-aging products are designed to address these issues and can help improve the appearance of the skin.

Finally, you should also consider your lifestyle when choosing skincare products. If you lead an active lifestyle, you may need a sunscreen that is resistant to sweat and water. If you have acne-prone skin, you may need an acne treatment product.

When choosing skincare products, it's important to consider all of these factors. By taking into account your skin type, age, and lifestyle, you can find products that will work best for you and help improve the appearance of your skin.