How to Choose the Right Skincare Products

By: Adriana M. Perez, L.E.

Purchasing skincare kits can be very convenient: they take the guess work out of figuring out what products go with what (and how they can make your skin look better), and they are usually cheaper than buying each product separately. As convenient as these kits can be, there are a few other things to consider when choosing your skincare products.

SKINCARE KITS

All too often I find that predetermined kits are much too “cookie cutter.” One or two products in the kit may address a few of your skincare issues, but the other products may not necessarily be appropriate for you. For instance, an “anti-aging” kit with glycolic acid may come with 4 products: cleanser, scrub, treatment serum, and moisturizer. Yes, these products make up a complete skincare routine that can help address your fine lines and loss of skin elasticity – but if you use all of these products, together, all of the time, you may find that after a while your skin is dry or it could become irritated because each product contains more glycolic acid than you need. In this case, too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing.

When people start to experience dryness/tightness/flaking and irritation when using kits, they simply assume that they are allergic to everything in the brand, or that the products are not good. Another thing that can happen is that they like the results so they continue to use the product but start slathering on heavy moisturizer. Once they start overloading their skin with moisturizer, they find their skin feels greasy or it makes them break out (when they are normally not prone to breakouts).

In my experience, I have found that people start to think negatively of perfectly good skincare lines simply because they are not being properly advised on how to use their products. Most companies are trying to make a genuine effort to address skincare needs when putting together these kits, but even though we as consumers seem to have similar skincare similar concerns (i.e. fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne, etc.), each consumer is still an individual, with specific needs.

CHOOSE PRODUCTS PROPERLY – CONSULT WITH AN ESTHETICIAN

The best thing to do when looking for a new skincare line is to consult with a professional, licensed esthetician. When I meet with clients I do a thorough skin consultation and ask questions about their lifestyle, how often they cleanse, what their skincare concerns are, and how many products they are willing to use each day. From this information I can choose a few products that I think will address their concerns, and advise them on how often to use each one (using the same products every single day isn’t always beneficial for everyone) while ensuring that their skin remains hydrated and healthy. Additionally, I always advise clients to monitor their progress, and if they feel that they are starting to see undesirable results they are always welcomed to contact me and I can recommend another way to use use their products. This process always works for me and helps my clients see the results they want to see in their skin.

In the long run, this process can save you money, frustration and time. This is not to say that predetermined skincare kits will not work for you – they may be perfect. But if for some reason you find your kit isn’t getting you the results you want, talk to a professional before dismissing it entirely.

For more helpful skin care & beauty info:

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Adriana is a Ventura, California-based esthetician who enjoys facials, waxing, sugaring, and learning about ingredients in skin care and makeup. If she is not educating clients on ways to help them achieve beautiful, healthy skin, she is most likely running around Los Angeles and Ventura County enjoying a nice glass or wine or trying to attend as many random concerts and festivals as possible.