Choosing the Best Skin Care Products
Are you looking for a product that will enhance your natural beauty while smoothing all of your lines and wrinkles and improving the quality of your skin tone? Choosing a product that is right for you may seem rather daunting. There are hundreds of skin care products available on the market and choosing the product that is perfect for your skin does not have to be impossible. This article will provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed choice about the products you use on your skin.
Understand Your Skin Type
Your skin type is usually predicted by genetic factors, however, a wide variety of environmental factors may also have an impact on your skin type. Understanding what type of skin you have is incredibly important if you want to choose a skin care product that is right for you. Once you understand your skin type it will become significantly easier to address the issues that you face and achieve beautiful and radiant skin. The following is an in-depth discussion of the five different skin types:
1. Normal Skin
Most expert dermatologists agree that it is incredibly difficult to give an exact definition of a normal skin type. However, the people who say that they have a normal skin type will usually describe their skin as being either oily or dry. Additionally, this oiliness or dryness is usually rather easy to resolve. Individuals with a normal skin type usually have small pores (1). These pores are usually not easy to see and they will not become engorged. People with a normal skin type most commonly do not have to deal with skin that is excessively shiny or flaky and cracked. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that even though you may have a normal skin type now there are several factors that may influence your skin type and it could change throughout your lifetime.
2. Dry Skin
Individuals who have a dry skin type will often report that their skin feels tight. Additionally, there may be areas on the skin that are so dry that they appear scaly or flaky (2). People who have dry skin will also find that their pores are completely invisible. This skin type is also commonly associated with premature wrinkles and skin irritation. The most common cause of a dry skin type is a genetic predisposition to producing smaller amounts of sebum in your skin's oil glands. It is incredibly important for your skin to produce sebum as that is what keeps it soft and supple.
3. Oily Skin
If you have an oily skin type it is likely that you will notice that your skin is shiny and there is visible grease. Unfortunately, people with this skin type also often report suffering from breakouts and acne more frequently than individuals with other skin types. This is because the oily skin will produce a large amount of sebum on a daily basis (3). As your skin produces more sebum your pores will begin to expand and they may become blocked leading to breakouts and acne. Fortunately, individuals with an oily skin type are less likely to develop wrinkles and will show fewer signs of aging than individuals with different skin types.
4. Combination Skin
According to the experts, a combination skin type is the most common. If you have this skin type you will most probably find that your T-zone becomes quite oily and shiny while the other portions of your skin are either excessively dry or normal. It can often be rather difficult to determine if you have this skin type as most people with a combination skin type will often believe that they have an oily skin. If you have this skin type it is incredibly important that you choose the right product for you as you want something that will help to control the oil on your skin without making the dry parts even drier.
5. Sensitive Skin
The final skin type we will discuss is a sensitive skin type. People with a sensitive skin type will often find that their skin shows the characteristics of dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin. However, they also have to deal with a significant amount of redness and irritation.
Summary:
When it comes to choosing a product to suit your needs it is vital that you know what your skin type is. There are five different skin types in total. The normal skin type can be described as either being oily or dry and people with this skin type will have small pores. People with a dry skin type often describe their skin as feeling tight and will have invisible pores. Oily skin types are caused by an overproduction of sebum in the skin which leads to acne and breakouts. Individuals with combination skin will have two different skin types and often experience an oily T-zone with patches of dry flaky skin. Finally, the sensitive skin type will have skin that has characteristics of the other skin types while also having skin that is inflamed and irritated.
Assess Your Skin Conditions
One of the other key things to do when choosing a skin care product is to look at your skin and become fully aware of any conditions you may suffer from. If you choose a skin care product without taking your skin conditions into consideration you may do more damage to your skin instead of healing it. Some of the common conditions that people suffer from include:
Acne
This condition affects the oil glands in your skin. The pores in your skin are connected to a canal in your skin called the follicle. When these follicles become clogged, a small cyst or a pimple will form underneath the skin. Individuals who suffer from acne will have a significant amount of clogged follicles. Acne is one of the most common skin condition suffered by people across the globe (4).
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that is defined as a chronic condition. This is a genetic condition that can be diagnosed by your general health care practitioner. The common symptoms of this skin affliction include dry and itchy skin, rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet.
Impetigo
This is a skin infection that is most commonly caused by a strain of bacteria known as staphylococcus. This strain of bacteria will enter the skin through scratches, cuts, or any open wound. Once you are infected the wound will become filled with pus. This pus-filled blister will then break open and form a thick crust on your skin.
Psoriasis
Another common condition that affects the skin is known as psoriasis. This disease causes scaling and swelling of the skin with patches of red skin that has silvery scales. It is most often developed on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet.
Summary:
When choosing a skin care product it is crucial that you take any pre-existing skin conditions into consideration. The most common skin condition is acne, which occurs when the follicles in your skin become clogged with sebum and then form a pimple. Other skin conditions include eczema, impetigo and psoriasis.
Consider Your Budget
Once you have made a thorough assessment of the condition of your skin you should take a look at how much money you are prepared to spend on your skin care products. There is a wide variety of different products that are available and there is just as wide a variety of different prices for these products. Taking some time to decide what your budget looks like can be incredibly beneficial to help you decide on the right product for you. However, you should always remember that the best skin care products are not always the most expensive ones.
Summary:
An important part of choosing the rights skin care product is deciding how much money you plan on spending on your skin care product. There are hundreds of different skin care products available all for varying prices. However, it is important to remember that the best products are not always the products that are the most expensive.
Organic or Synthetic?
Another important factor to consider when you are choosing a skin care product is whether or not you want to use a product that only includes natural, organic ingredients or a product that is manufactured from synthetic ingredients. Currently, there is not enough evidence available to show that organic products are better than other products. However, the majority of people believe that organic products are safer for your skin than products that contain large amounts of synthetic ingredients and they are the only way to ensure that you are getting cruelty free skin care products. Additionally, skin care products for dry skin should contain a larger portion of natural ingredients to ensure that your skin does not become irritated or inflamed.
Summary:
When choosing a skin care product you should decide if you want to opt for a product that is manufactured from natural ingredients or synthetic ingredients. However, it is important to note that there is no evidence available that indicates that organic products are better than synthetic products. Although, they could be safer than their synthetic alternatives. Additionally, it may be a better idea to choose natural over synthetic ingredients when it comes to skin care products for dry skin.
Do Some Research
One of the most important things you should do when looking for a new skin care product is to do your research. Take a look at the active ingredients that are commonly included in the best skin care products. Then you can decide which active ingredients will suit your needs most appropriately. Additionally, if you find a product you think may work for you but you are unsure of what the ingredients are you should take a few minutes and look them up. Doing a small amount of research is the only way to ensure that you choose the best skin care product that will meet your needs without causing any adverse reactions on your skin.
Summary:
Before deciding to purchase a new product set aside a little time to research the ingredients included in popular skin care products. That way you know what to look for and you are aware of the ingredients that could potentially harm your skin before you buy the product.
Ask For Recommendations
One of the easiest things you can do to help you decide on the right skin care product for you is to ask an expert for advice. You can visit your local pharmacy, skin care center, salon or beauty store to consult an esthetician. Once you have found an esthetician you can trust, you can inform them of your preferences and needs they can provide you with all of their recommendations for the best skin care products for you.
Summary:
Visit an esthetician at your local pharmacy, beauty store, salon or skin care center. You can have a short discussion with an expert who can make a recommendation for a skin care product for you based on your specific needs and wants.
Try A Few Samples
Once you have consulted an esthetician they will provide you with a variety of samples for the products that they think are best suited to you. When you try out these samples make sure to keep a pen and a piece of paper on hand so that you can keep notes about the product. Make a short pros and cons list about the product to help you make your final decision. Just keep in mind that you will not be able to make a long-term evaluation of the product as sample sizes are only meant to last you a few days at most.
