How To Choose The Right Skin Care Products

It is easy to be swayed by promises made by skin care products. Knowing which product suits your skin should be the ultimate deciding factor.

We are bombarded with advertisements for skin care products and make-up products on a daily basis. Using pretty models with perfect skin, product companies sell the promise of beautiful skin for every woman. It is easy to be tempted by these images – after all, who doesn’t want luminous skin that is ageless and pristine?

But the decision to try a certain product must be taken with caution. Each person’s skin is different, and what works for one woman may not work on another. The best skin care products are those that understand the science behind the right skin care, and which respond to your skin’s needs accordingly. It is always prudent to take the advice of your dermatologist before trying a new skin care product. But if you are confident about buying a new product, there are a few points to bear in mind:

- Skin type: Know which category your skin falls under. Your skin can be normal, dry, oily or combination type. Knowing this is key to picking the best skin care products. The product bottle or tube will have a clear indication of the skin type that can use it.

- Skin peculiarities: Examine the problems your skin has. It could get tanned easily despite the use of sunscreen lotion, or it could be extremely sensitive to even mild sunshine. If your skin burns easily, you must use any new skin care product only on the advice of your doctor.

- Product composition: The chemical composition of skin care products can confuse you, so it is better to take expert guidance before purchasing it. Be cognisant of the specific chemicals and compounds that trigger allergies, rashes or acne breakouts.

- Product type: The products you absolutely need are cleanser, toner, moisturiser and sunscreen (this last must have SPF 30 and above). Choose these as per your skin type. Next, you might require specific products for certain problems such as aging skin, blemishes, oil control, etc. You can also pick up skin masks and peels depending on your requirement.

- Your lifestyle. The best skin care products will fall to the wayside if your lifestyle is unhealthy. Skin care products cannot work if your skin does not receive essential hydration, nutrition and rest. Smoking, alcohol and substance abuse will destroy the skin’s cellular structure over time. Ditto for lack of sleep, food lacking in nutrients and prolonged exposure to sunlight without sunscreen protection. You must correct these faults first to let your skin heal. Meanwhile, you can aid your skin’s restoration process with the right skin care products.

Comfortable on Your Skin?

“Combined with an increasing interest in and knowledge about the benefits of different products and product segments, skin care is expected to witness further premiumisation over the next five years. Furthermore, as consumers are increasingly interested in high-quality ingredients within categories such as hair care, a similar trend is expected over the course of the forecast period in skin care.” This was what the Euromonitor International report, Skin Care in United Arab Emirates, published in May 2015, said. The report also said that the UAE was conscious of the latest trends in skin care and with the rise of disposable income, people were keen to invest in skin care products. This article attempts to provide a direction to the prospective consumers – how to decide on which the best skin care products are for you.

Guide to choosing the right products

With the inflow of a diverse range of products in the skin care market, it is ever more confusing to determine which ones to use. Over experimentation could result in skin damage and underutilisation could result in improper care. Therefore, it is essential that one makes an informed choice.

• Know your skin type: You should have a session with a dermatologist even if you have no skin problems so that you can get expert assessment of your skin. Once you know your skin type, it is easier to find the products that will be best suited to you. Irrespective of your type, a regular routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is recommended for all.

• Know your skin problems: Most people suffer from some degree of sun damage and it is advisable that you have your skin analysed under a microscope to prevent it from getting worse. Dermatologists believe that broad spectrum sunscreen lotions that offer protection from both Ultraviolet A and B rays are some of the best skin care products available.

• Know your allergens: While choosing to use a product on your most sensitive organ – your skin, you must ascertain whether the item contains ingredients that you may develop allergic reactions to. It is a good choice to spot check first and then apply widely. Natural ingredients tend to be safer, although each product could have a different impact on unique skin types.

• Know which products are compatible: You may have checked the veracity of the products but it is also important to know whether they are compatible when applied in succession. Some products will tell you that for best results you should team them with others. Find a combination that works for you.

The skin care market is set to expand further over the next five years, which means more choice, but also more confusion in making decisions. This is why it is essential to know your skin intimately before you can decide on the best skin care products for you. Consult a professional dermatologist for an expert assessment and be sure of your nurture regimen.