How to choose the right skincare product for you

Buying skincare isn’t easy. With so many products on the shelves, it’s hard to find one that suits your skin, fits your budget, and works with other products in your skincare routine.

This article will help you to make the right choice for you. We’ll talk about understanding your skin type, setting a budget, and making sure any products you buy work together.

Tips for choosing the right skincare products

Decide what your goals are for your skin.

More than anything else, you'll want to decide what your goals are for your skin. One person might be looking to prevent wrinkles, while another is trying to improve acne or hyperpigmentation. Your goals may change over time as well—as you age, the needs of your skin will probably change too.

Your skin's current health and lifestyle habits can also affect how it looks now and in the future: If you live in a dry climate and have dehydrated skin, that's going to show up differently than if you live somewhere humid and oily. Even if your skin type is generally consistent, factors like chronic stress can take a toll on its appearance.

Pay attention to your skin type.

The one thing that all skincare products have in common is that they are not all the same. This, of course, presents a problem when you're trying to find the perfect product for your skin. That's why it's important to know your skin type before you start looking at different products and considering how they will affect your skin. For example, if you are on the oily side, you'll want to look for products that will help dry up some of your excess oil while still keeping your skin moisturized. On the other hand, if you're on the dry side, you'll want to look for a product that will give you some added moisture but isn't too heavy or greasy so that it won't clog pores or cause breakouts. It may seem like a lot to take in at first but knowing your skin type can really simplify things when it comes time to pick out products from those that are compatible with each other and which ones should be avoided altogether.

Read the ingredients.

But before you start adding products to your cart, read the fine print. The ingredient list is a great way to tell if a product will be good for you, and it contains more information than you might think—in the U.S., ingredients have to be listed in order of concentration. If it’s not clear whether the product has an ingredient list or not, ask customer service about it. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, that’s probably not a good sign (and trust me, there's a whole world of skincare out there). Ingredient lists are also very telling in terms of how clean the product is—the longer the list, the less likely it'll be a good fit for your complexion.

Trust the brand.

You want to use a product that is medically based and dermatologist recommended. Look for a brand that has strong educational materials so you can learn more about the ingredients in their products and why they work. Make sure the brand has a good reputation, is transparent about its ingredients, and has good customer service. The company should also offer a money-back guarantee for unopened products so you can try different ones to see what works best for your skin type if necessary.

Keep your specific needs in mind when shopping for skincare products.

Although it may seem like the most straightforward way to find a skincare product is to go for the one with the best reviews, that's not always the case. You might see a moisturizer that has a five-star rating but doesn't take into account your specific concerns and needs.

For example, if you have oily skin and are prone to acne, you'll want to look for products that are labeled as oil-free or non-comedogenic. This means they won't clog your pores and cause more breakouts.

However, if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to look for products that contain fewer ingredients so they don't irritate your skin and make it even more dry or red 

Learn how to apply products correctly.

Once you have the right products, it's important to apply them correctly. For example, while exfoliating is a beneficial part of a skincare routine, using an overly rough scrub can cause irritation and redness. Look for a gentle scrub with small particles. A good rule of thumb: if you can't see the particles, they are probably too big to be effective and may cause your skin to feel dry or irritated. Also important: after exfoliating, moisturize!

Try it out first!

Before you buy any skincare product, make sure to try it on your skin. Trying a skincare product out can minimize the risk of developing a reaction (such as redness or swelling) after purchasing the product and using it. We recommend trying the product in one of two ways:

• Ask for a sample of the product to try at home. Most stores have sample sizes of products that they will happily give out to customers in order to help them decide if they want to purchase the item. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, most samples are not large enough for you to use a few times before deciding whether or not you want to buy the item. Make sure that after trying just once, you don't develop any signs of irritation.
• Try the product on your skin before purchasing it. If you find yourself without a sample size but want peace of mind knowing that your skincare products are right for your skin, try applying some of the product directly onto your face or neck before committing to purchasing it.

Conclusion

So, how should you proceed? First of all, don’t be afraid to try new things. Experiment with a wide variety of products and see what works for your skin. As always, consult an expert if you can. A dermatologist could offer specific advice about what ingredients might be best for your skin type and the condition it’s in.