If there’s one thing all women value, from the most professional family lawyers to the glamorous runway models featured on magazine covers, nothing beats the empowerment we feel from staying loyal to our skincare routines and bringing out the best possible look every day. Let’s be honest, staring straight at the mirror and seeing your radiant glow is easily one of the best ways to start your morning, and you can’t help but feel confident knowing you look great!
However, we’ve seen an alarming trend of young and aspiring women just choose the most expensive products off the shelves without taking the opportunity to compare and see which ones work best for them. As a result, many of them aren’t getting the results they want, and we think that nobody deserves to have to go through the irritation and pain of products that don’t jive with their skin. So, we’ll be exploring some of the most important skin-care shopping tips you’ll need to remember.
#1 Everyone’s Skin-Type Is Uniquely Different
Firstly, everyone’s skin type is uniquely different, and just because that one friend of yours and a certain celebrity are getting the same results from the same product doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for you too. Going by this mindset is sure-recipe for disaster, so get rid of that misconception and stay away from the hype and herd mentality. Your first goal is to identify your specific skin-type and start from there.
- Normal Skin: This skin-type experiences little to no pores along their T-zone, doesn’t have a lot of breakouts, and isn’t typically sensitive to specific products or ingredients. And, if you fall in this category, you’ve basically hit the jackpot because regardless of the product’s consistency or formulation, anything will most likely work fine for your skin. Your skin is also relatively bright and firm than other skin-types, so just remember to maintain and protect.
- Dry Skin: This skin-type has very few visible pores and blackheads, can feel flaky or rough, tightness or itchy without moisturizer, and doesn’t get an oily shine. If you fall in this category, your skiing needs a lot of loving and nourishment! You’re more prone to fine lines and wrinkles, so be vigilant about moisturizing and hydrating. Humectants are an excellent way to bring back moisture and also act as a healthy protective barrier.
- Oily/Acne-Prone Skin: This skin-type frequently experiences breakouts, blackheads and can’t seem to get rid of that oily shine when it’s mid-day. You tend to feel an oily residue when you touch your skin and is the exact opposite of the dry skin type. Of course, these oils help keep your youthful glow, but it also makes you more prone to acne and breakouts, leading to irritation and scarring. You should focus on exfoliation to control oil production and preferably used water-based cleansers.
- Sensitive Skin: Last but not least, this skin-type burns, itches, and quickly gets irritated in certain environments, weather, and products. It easily gets red and bumpy with just one slip-up, so you’ll need to be extra cautious when trying on a new hair trend or even going out on a hot day. We strongly recommend sticking with gentle skin-care products and avoiding anything that’s abrasive or could trigger your sensitive skin.
#2 Mix And Match Brands
Secondly, forget about sticking with one brand line-up. Yes, brands will want to market their products as a one-size-fits-all method to skincare, but that’s hardly ever the case. Our skin reacts differently, and no amount of research and testing can create a product that will satisfy 100% of the global population. So, mix and match brands until you find the best combo.
- Test What Works For You: Sadly, you’ll need to test and see what works for you, especially if you don’t have the normal skin type. We recommend using the patch method, applying only a small amount, and seeing how your skin reacts. Once you feel it sting and reject the product, time to move onto the next one. Also, don’t expect that one product will work forever; your skin changes and your products should change with it.
- Look At The Ingredients: Another thing you’ll want to be familiar with is ingredients because these will give you a general idea of what a product can offer you. For example, caffeine is a common ingredient found in skincare products that leave you feeling extra refreshed because they’re antioxidants with redness-reducing properties. Meanwhile, honey and tea tree oil are anti-inflammatory that can heal wounds and treat acne.
#3 Don’t Fall For Sneaky Marketing Terms
Last but not least, you’ll want to watch out for sneaky marketing terms like “Dermatologist-recommended” and “Hypoallergenic.” Any beauty company can get at least one dermatologist to recommend their product and still use that to advertise, which is a very shady way of making it seem of higher quality. The term “hypoallergenic” is also commonly slapped onto skincare products, but there are no FDA regulations for hypoallergenic formulas, so companies have full-range to use them anywhere. You’re better off supplementing a good skin care regimen with regular workouts like Jenna Dewan’s weekly pilates.
Smart Skin-Care Shopping
Overall, your skincare regimen should feature products that work best for you, so remember to apply these lessons above and practice smart skin-care shopping. And, over time, you’ll start seeing drastic and positive changes to your complexion.
