Choosing A Skin Care Line: 4 Qualifiers to Meet Before Investing in A Skin Care Line
© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved
Growing up in a female only household exposes one to a wide variety of beauty products and brands. The young girls in the house prefer to try every brand on the market while the more mature ladies in the house prefer to stick with the brands their mamas used (Can you say Noxzema??) While the goal is to obtain and maintain beautiful skin, both methods of choosing cosmetic brands lean toward the extreme because of the cost and ineffectiveness. Let's examine how each of these methods to obtain what you think are the best skincare products have their pitfalls.
Trying Every Cosmetics Brand on the Market
While it can be beneficial to occasionally introduce a new skin care product to your beauty arsenal, trying every cosmetics brands you encounter is not good for your skin or your wallet. Introducing too many new ingredients can cause your skin to react. Occasionally, adding or replacing a skin care line by slowly weaving it into your beauty routine allows your skin to get accustomed to the new products.
Sticking with Traditional Skin Care Lines
While there are many effective cosmetics brands with tenure in the world of beauty, that does not mean they are the best skincare products for your particular skin type or condition. As your skin ages, it goes through changes. Your skin type may even change when your hormone levels change.
There are four qualifiers that need to be met before you spend your money on a skin care line or product. Every woman's qualifications will differ based on her skin type and health. Here are the questions you need to answer before choosing a skin care line:
1- Does the skin care line contain products that address my specific needs?
Your skin type (Normal, Dry, Sensitive, Oily or Combination) must determine the type of products you use. If you have oily skin, it will do you no good to buy and subsequently use a product designed to treat dry skin. Dry skin products are designed to add moisture and oil balance to the skin. A person with oily skin needs to choose a skin care line that reduces and/or balances the oil while still providing necessary moisture.
2- Is the skin care line complete for my needs?
The type of line you use should consist of complimentary products (Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, Scrub, Mask) to complete your daily regimen. Additional products you may need for your skin's health such as an anti-wrinkle or acne care product are a major bonus for beautiful skin.
3- What are the active AND inactive ingredients that compose the skin care line?
Often times you will see major brands highlight their active ingredients. That may or may not be a deceptive marketing ploy. In any event, it's important to be aware of the inactive ingredients in the products you use because they may cause allergic reactions or worst, over time pose to be toxic. If you have sensitive skin, you'll want to avoid a skin care line that contains a laundry list of harsh chemical ingredients.
4- The last qualifier is not necessarily a question to be answered but more of a recommendation. Check with the manufacturer of a skin care line you have never used before to determine if free samples are available. By sampling, you can try before you buy and in the long run save your hard earned money should you discover the products are not for you.
Fulfilling these four qualifications before choosing a skin care line will help you make the best possible choice to obtain beautiful skin. You will protect your skin and save money in the process.
