Have you ever stood in the skin care aisle of your local pharmacy, quite dazzled by the impressive selection – but also a bit overwhelmed? You are not alone – many people today are searching for the most effective skin care products, but because we are flooded by television commercials, magazine ads, and celebrities plugging skincare products around the clock, it can be daunting.
Some of the questions you might be asking yourself are: Which products will give me that youthful, luminous glow? Which will take away my wrinkles? Are there products that are bad for my skin?
Well, here’s the skinny on skin care: it’s all about the ingredients. Believe it or not, some of the most expensive products on the market are not only ineffective, they are actually harmful to your skin. Here are a few ingredients to avoid and why:
Mineral oil: it prevents the skin from breathing, is a skin-irritant, and clogs pores.
Fragrances: a little dab will do ya, but not when it comes to your face – many fragrances contain toxins (some that are carcinogenic) and, since your skin is the largest organ of your body, it provides a lot more surface area for those poisons to penetrate.
Alcohols: Most alcohol-based products are over-drying and irritate the skin easily.
When searching for effective skin care products, it’s best to lean towards ingredients that simulate and will rejuvenate the elements that are naturally found in your skin, like collagen and elastin (Collagen is skin-strengthening protein that diminishes as we age; elastin keeps our skin flexible).
It is also advisable to opt for skin care products according to your skin type. When choosing a moisturizer, for instance, make sure it accommodates to your specific needs – lighter-weight lotions tend to be more effective for oily skin types, and emollient-based creams are usually best for parched skin.
It’s important to remember that even the most effective skin care products might not work if you are not taking care of yourself as a whole. Your skin can be a reflection of what’s going on inside your body – so eat right, exercise often, limit your sun exposure, and get lots of beauty sleep!
With a little attention to the ingredients in your skin care products, and a bit more attention to your overall wellness, you should be on your way to achieving that healthy, radiant complexion you’ve been wishing for.