Here is a quick guide that you can refer to, so that you always choose the best product
that suits your skin type.
Look out for Active ingredients.
At the backside of every product, the ingredients are listed in descending order;
starting with the name of the ingredient with the largest percentage (often
water) to the lowest of 1 percent. Ingredients with less than 1 percent can be
listed in any order.
Check the concentration of ingredients. Picking the right ingredients that work for your
skin type is essential to effective skin care.
Depending on whether you have sensitive, dry or oily skin, you’ll want to look for
certain ingredients and avoid others.
Sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, the fewer ingredients in a product the better. Don’t use too many anti-aging ingredients. Look for calming ingredients such as
polyphenols, chamomile and aloe.
Dry skin: Use a moisturising day cream that is more effective and less irritating for dry skin, instead of a lotion. Look for a cream or ointment containing olive oil, jojoba
oil or shea butter.
Oily skin: Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to prevent breakouts. Oily skin still
requires a moisturiser.
Expiration date.
Expired products can carry harmful bacteria that can cause irritation, rashes,
blemishes and skin infections. Look for the expiry date of the product. It
tells you how long your product is good for after it has been opened. Jot down
the date you open the container on, so that you know when to dispose of any
unused product. Also, look for a lot number. The lot number ensures that the
product is traceable and can be sent back to its origins, in case anything
should ever go wrong.
Avoid irritating ingredients.
Regardless of your skin type, you should avoid ingredients that can irritate your skin,
such as parabens.
Know your skin type.
Identify what kind of skin type you have. Knowing whether your skin is dry, oily, or
normal will help you discover what type of product works best for you. Those with acne-prone and sensitive skin need to be the most cautious about the various ingredients in their skincare products. For example, oily skin can a wider range of ingredients. However, those ingredients can sometimes trigger breakouts or irritation for other skin types.
Always do a patch test
A patch test is smart practice in your process of product elimination. A patch test can
help you determine if certain products or ingredients will cause allergic reactions, irritate your skin, or clog your pores.
Don't expect instant results.
For the most part, it takes time for a product to really make a difference. Continued
use is necessary to maintain the results. Consistency is key. For example,
products for uneven skin tone or fading dark spots can take several weeks
before results become visible.