You’re not the only one staring in the mirror and wondering, “What skincare products do I need?” There is an enormous variety of products and skincare solutions on the market. Choosing among them or using them by trial and error can be frustrating. To make it easier, ask yourself several questions about your skin and your skincare goals.
The Benefits of Choosing the Right Skincare Products
You can only reach your skincare goals if you have the right products to get you there. Your skin loses moisture and nutrients over time, and it experiences damage from the sun. Your skin also becomes more sensitive as you age. The right skincare products can help you maintain healthy, younger-looking skin by replacing nutrients and helping to combat the outside factors that make it look aged.1
The proper skincare routine with carefully chosen products can help eliminate dry patches, make your skin brighter, and reduce signs of aging, such as dark spots. Keeping up with your skincare routine using the right products produces a cumulative effect that can leave you feeling more confident.
Which Skincare Products Should I Use?
Don’t choose skincare products based solely on a friend’s recommendation. This is only helpful if they have the same skin types and goals as you do. Assess your skin, choose your goals, and develop a routine you can stick with. Start by asking yourself the following five questions.
1. What Is My Skin Type?
You can determine your skin type by looking at it closely and seeing how it behaves. There are five main skin types:2
- Oily skin is shiny and greasy.
- Dry skin is rough, flaky, and itchy.
- Combination skin is dry in some places and oily in others.
- Sensitive skin may be red, itchy, and dry, and sting or burn after using certain products.
- Normal skin does not have oily or dry patches and is not sensitive to skincare products. Protection and maintenance may be all you need.
It is critical to understand your skin type. Skincare products are formulated for specific skin types, and using the wrong one will cost you time and money.
2. What Are My Skin Concerns?
If you want healthy-looking skin, don’t stop after addressing whether your skin is oily or dry. Identify specific areas3 that you want to correct. You may also have acne, large pores, blackheads, or other concerns. Make a list or spreadsheet of all of your problem areas so that you can choose products to address each of them. There is no cure-all in skincare, so it helps to have products that address each concern.
Don’t stop after assessing your face. Your neck, arms, and legs can also have problem areas that make you uncomfortable or feel less confident. If your face is your primary concern, it is OK to start there. But treat yourself by also treating the other parts of your skin when you can.
3. What Are My Skincare Goals?
Your skincare goals should be realistic. If you start off by saying that you are going to clear up all of your skin problems in three months, you are setting yourself up for failure. Don’t focus on pictures of celebrities or people you see in magazines. Sometimes their beautiful skin is actually the result of makeup or photo editing. Your goals should be about you and only you. Some realistic goals you can set for yourself include:4
- Reducing redness
- Improving hydration
- Minimizing large pores
- Making your skin brighter
- Reducing breakouts
4. Do I Need a Product With SPF?
If your skin is exposed to the sun, your products should include SPF protection. This is true regardless of your skin type and tone.5 The sun is the leading cause of premature aging in the skin. Be sure to include products with SPF protection for your face and any other exposed areas of your skin. Your nighttime routine does not require SPF protection, but make sure that your daytime products have it or that you are applying sunscreen separately.
5. Are More Expensive Products Always Better?
Expensive skincare products aren’t always better. Much of their cost may be tied up in packaging and marketing.6 Compare the ingredients in different brands and do your research by looking for reviews online. If two similar products each have a thousand good reviews but wildly different price points, you probably don’t need to shell out the extra money for the more expensive one.
Talk to your dermatologist if you have special skincare needs or if nothing seems to work. You may need a more expensive product because it contains rare ingredients or a proprietary formula. Your doctor can also offer prescription options and advise you on choosing skincare products.
Learn More About Skincare Routines and Which Types of Products to Use
Taking care of your skin requires setting realistic goals, choosing the right products, and committing to a routine. To read more in-depth articles about properly treating your skin, visit My Skincare Routine. Our articles are physician-reviewed to give you the best unbiased advice across different skin types and needs.
SOURCES:
- Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates: “Benefits of an Advanced Skincare Routine.”
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips Dermatologists Use.”
- L’Oreal Paris: “15 Common Skin Problems and How to Address Them.”
- Elan Aesthetics: “How to Set Skin Goals.”
- Good Housekeeping: “Simple Steps to the Best Daily Skincare Routine, According to Dermatologists.”
- Newsweek: “Are Expensive Skin Creams Better Than Drugstore Brands?“