Selecting the best affordable skin care products for your face can be confusing. Between the magazine ads and TV specials, is it any wonder I am frequently hearing questions like:
- What is an affordable cosmetic brand to use?
- How do I know which one is best for my skin?
- If costs more, it must be better, right?
- How do I know which one to choose?
Let’s take a look at skin care products and help you weed through the confusion.
The Basics
Every skin care line should include a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
Cleanser – Body soaps should never be used on the face. Facial cleansers are designed to remove daily dirt and grime without adding oils to clog pours and drying the skin.
Toner – Just like you rinse of your body after using soap in the shower, you want to rinse your face with a toner. A toner will finish removing dirt and will freshen the skin after the cleanser.
Moisturizer – After cleaning and toning the face, add a quality moisturizer. A moisturizer will help retain water in your skin as well as improve the way your skin looks and feels. Including a SPF within the moisturizer begins your daily sun protection.
Additional products might include a mask, an eye cream, and a serum or corrective night time product.
Where to Purchase Skin Care Products?
Drug Store
At the drug store you will find gentle washes and creams like Aquanil, Aveeno, Cetaphil, Cerave, Eucerin, etc. Your physician, dermatologist or Aesthetician may suggest you use these if you have sensitive skin or before and after medical treatments.
While drug store brands are cheaper and readily available, ingredients play a vital role. Beware of dyes, fragrances, mineral oil and lanolin as they can disrupt the skin’s integrity and create unwanted conditions.
Local Retail Mall
Then there is the mall full of over priced products. While many of the products are of good quality, remember you are paying for all the marketing and merchandising of the product along with the mall real estate. The pretty girls behind the counter sell sell sell. Do they know all the active ingredients and what their purpose is in those products they sell? Do they have any idea what your skin needs? So why pay extra for something you are not really getting?
Speaking of shopping, are you like me? Guilty of buying shoes, clothes, purses using them maybe a few times and discarding or abandoning them in the closet. Why is it that I spend so much money on everything but my facial products? After all, I wear my face every day!
Doctor or Dermatologist Office
At the doctor or dermatologist’s office, there are no fancy ads, no commissions. The doctor’s office provides just pure products and a knowledgeable staff.
It is best to have a yearly examination with a dermatologist to review your skin and a consultation with a professional skin care specialist to determine what products best suits your needs. Consider how much money you’ll save once you have a working skin care system.
Having a good skin care regimen can be cost effective and long term effective. Consult a professional Aesthetician to determine what is right for your skin and your wallet.