Do you know the moisturizer or the cleanser occupying your shelf might be damaging your skin instead of actually caring for it?
Skin, in spite of being the largest organ of our body, remains one of the most overlooked ones in terms of care. We pick products blindly based on the idea that doing some kind of skin care is better than not caring at all.
But, the truth is bitter. You are not only wasting your money on worthless products, rather you are damaging your skin by choosing them.
Let’s have a look at what should be considered before taking a plunge on the skin care shopping.
Identify your skin type:
This is the first and the most obvious step. A thick creamy moisturizer on an oily skin will not help rather escalate your concern. Similarly, sensitive skin must be taken care of with mild products. Identify your skin type and here are some suggestions:
- Oily: Beware of thick moisturizers and oily sunscreens. Gel, Serum, Liquids & Powders work best on this skin type.
- Combination: This skin type should be protected from both thick creams and drying powders. Opt for balanced products that are neither too oily not too dry.
- Acne-blemish Prone: Steer clear from oily substances and more chemicals. Herbal products are the most recommended ones.
- Dry to very Dry: Stay away from anything that plays with your ph-balance. Use thick moisturizers and chemical free cleansers.
- Sensitive/Rosacea: No powder products.
- Eczema: Avoid both powder and cream products. Gels, Lotions, Serums work fine. Consulting a professional is recommended.
- Sun-Damaged: This skin needs a lot of moisture, so, stay away from drying products like powders.
- Aging/Wrinkles: Aging skin needs to be hydrated. Exfoliate less and moisturize more.
- Normal? Everyone envies you.
Identify your lifestyle:
Your lifestyle changes your skin and so should it do with your skin care habits. If you are out too much under the sun on a daily basis, you need a strong sunscreen. An SPF 20 or 30 is not for you in such a case. On the other hand, if you are too much trapped inside walls, you need Vitamin D in your skin care products. Similarly, your diet affects your skin and things missing on your diet should be balanced in your skin care products. Although nothing can beat a good diet, good skin care products will at least help you avoid skin damage.
Exfoliate but not excessively:
Twice or Thrice a week at the max and no more! Scratching and removing the top layer of your skin is not fruitful in the long run. If you do it excessively, it tends to result in early aging. Nightmarish! So, tone down your exfoliating regime and choose exfoliators that are gentle on your surface. Look for antioxidants in your skin for defying aging. Also, vitamins A, C, and E are considered to be good for skin tightening.
Know the Product You are Using:
Before you apply anything on your skin, you must know what it is! Research about the ingredients and know what works best for your skin. Most of all, before buying any skin care product, research thoroughly and read a lot of reviews online to know what others have experienced. This way, you minimize the chances of ending up wasting your money and damaging your skin.
Miracles Never Happen:
Beware of products that sound too good to be true. Miracles are often tempting but rarely work the way they promise. Even if they do, they cause of a lot of damage behind them to be cured later for months and at times for years. Some of the products that guarantee assured results in minimum number of days contain harmful chemicals which are destructive in the long run. Also, there are chances of contracting major diseases which is a different story altogether.
Check Labels:
Products that burn a hole in your wallet do not guarantee results. Look for products with ingredients that are important for your skin. Vitamins in lotions and natural substances are recommended over chemicals whose names you can’t even pronounce. If you are really willing to buy synthetic products anyway, look for certified products.
Here are the most common and useful ingredients you can count on:
Commonly Known As | Also Knows As |
Vitamin A | retinoids |
Vitamin B | niacin or nicotinamide |
Vitamin B5 | pantothenic acid, panthenol |
Vitamin C & Vitamin E | – |
Alpha-hydroxy acids | – |
Ubiquinone or coenzyme Q10 | small-molecule antioxidant |
Ferulic acid | small-molecule antioxidant |
Go with Brands:
When the skin care products don’t always need to cost you a fortune, it is also important to be careful with the brands you use. Picking up any unknown brand is not advisable because your skin is worth being spent on. Go with reliable brands and most importantly pick up the original ones. Big brands always have counter pirated products in the market. Even your local vendor might be selling you duplicate Nivea and you don’t even know about it. Buy branded skin care products from reliable places. Skin Care Products By Nykaa and a few other online shops are known to be true to the brand names they offer.
A beautiful skin is healthy skin and only a healthy skin can look beautiful. While being careful with the skin care products you use is important, give your skin the care it deserves through a balanced healthy diet. Eat fruits, drink water, take green vegetables and let your skin breathe and smile with glowing happiness.
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