Before buying any skincare product, you need to understand its components and what it would do for your skin. This is not the time for assumptions and guesswork, unless you have a degree in chemistry then it really matters what you are applying to your skin. There is no one-size-fits-all skin care solution. Every skin is peculiar. You should consider the following:
1. Know your skin type
According to cosmetic dermatologists, your skin type is the most important factor in determining what skincare products will work best for you. There are no bad products necessarily, but sometimes people with different skin types use the wrong product for their type of skin. People with acne-prone and sensitive skin need to be the most careful with different ingredients in their skincare products. On the other hand, oily skin can handle a wider range of ingredients that sometimes trigger breakouts or irritation for other skin types.
For oily skin: Look for products containing alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid or salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients are effective at controlling excess sebum production while hyaluronic acid will produce hydration only in areas needed.
For dry skin: Look for products containing shea butter and lactic acid. These ingredients provide hydration and mild exfoliation to keep dry skin looking radiant.
For sensitive skin: Look for products containing aloe vera, oatmeal, and shea butter. They are good moisturizers and usually don’t break anyone out.
2. Ignore the hypes
Packaging and popularity are sometimes easy traps and shouldn’t hold too much weight or value in what we select for our skin. If you are going to buy a product based on a friend or influencer’s recommendation, you shouldn’t just pay attention to how good their skin looks now, rather look at what type of skin they were dealing with. That will give you a more reliable indicator of how well the product will work for you.
3. Look out for these ingredients
Glycerin: This ingredient is the backbone of moisturizing products.
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid: Both ingredients are important moisturizing agents naturally found in the skin.
L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): Vitamin C, specifically the l-ascorbic acid form, is an antioxidant that works to reverse damage from UV radiation and stimulate collagen production.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Vitamin E offers similar properties as vitamin C and works best when the two are combined as a skincare power duo.
Retinol: Retinol is a key ingredient to seek in products for your nighttime routine. It works to turn over skin cells and stimulate collagen.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This ingredient is great for controlling oil while also hydrating the skin and evening out skin tone.
3. Avoid these ingredients
Fragrance/parfum: Added fragrances can cause skin allergies and irritation, and it is especially important to avoid them if you have sensitive skin.
Sulfates: Sulfates are cleansing agents often found in body washes and shampoo. They strip the hair and skin of their natural oil and can cause irritation.
Parabens: Parabens are commonly placed in products as a chemical preservative to prevent bacterial growth. They can have a harmful effect over time by throwing off hormonal balance.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers: It is rare to see formaldehyde in an ingredient list anymore since it’s classified as a known carcinogen. This is often replaced with differently named chemicals (quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea) that release formaldehyde over time to act as preservatives. It is not confirmed whether or not these ingredients are harmful in this capacity, but it’s worth looking out for them as potential allergens.
4. Natural does not always mean better
Familiar words in the ingredients list can be comforting to see, but it doesn’t always indicate the safest route. For example, poison ivy is a natural oil, but it is not one that you would want to rub all over your skin. Seeing the terms natural and organic on a product label is sometimes more of a marketing trick than anything else. Those terms aren’t regulated and there aren’t specific industry standards for them, they can offer empty promises. Additionally, sometimes a product will be labelled as natural in reference to only one or two of the ingredients on the list.
5. Pay attention to the order of ingredients
Once you know what primary ingredients you are looking to avoid or go after, you will want to pay attention to where they fall on the ingredients list. As a good rule of thumb, it is recommended to look at the first five ingredients, since that will often account for about 80 per cent of the product’s makeup. Ingredients are normally listed in order of highest to lowest concentration, so if there is a problematic or potentially irritating ingredient among the first five listed, you will want to steer clear of that product. Similarly, if you’re seeking out a product for specific ingredients, but those ingredients are listed at the end, then that product isn’t worth your money.
6. Watch out for the ingredients long list
While a more abbreviated list can be easier to decipher, it won’t always cut it in terms of what you are looking to get out of your skincare products. The ingredients list will naturally get a bit longer when you are looking for anti-aging properties or investing in medical-grade skincare products. Don’t let that shouldn’t deter you. Instead, call in for backup—either from a dermatologist or technology—to help determine if the product is a good choice for you.
7. Use your resources
You don’t have to be a walking dictionary in order to pick out skincare products with the right ingredients. Make things easier by taking advantage of online resources.
8. Don’t forget to do the patch test
A patch test is a smart practice in your process of product elimination. A patch test can help determine if certain products or ingredients will cause allergic reactions, irritate your skin, or clog your pores. Testing all your ingredients before committing to them takes a little time at first, but it can save you a lot of money and grief in the end.