SKIN TYPE PRODUCTS
How to Choose the Right Products for Your Skin Type
We’ve all been there: select what seems like it will be a great product, only to get it home and realize it’s completely incompatible with your skin. And, then of course, there’s no returning the product once it’s open (certain brands allow you to…but in general, most don’t). However, there’s a way you can hedge your bets when selecting a skincare or bath & body product.
Use this quick and handy guide (with a helpful chart) so you can not only select the right product for your skin type, but save yourself some beauty bucks in the process.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All When it Comes to Beauty Products
Most of us don’t have a science degree, so all of the ingredients listed on labels can be super confusing. If you’re lucky, the manufacturer puts the common name in parenthesis after the scientific name…which is very helpful. But most don’t. And you can’t just go along with what the influencers are using because often they are paid to plug a product, even if it doesn’t work for them. Even if it does work for them, that’s no guarantee that it will work for you.
When it comes to skincare, beauty, and makeup products, you have to do your own research to find what is right for YOUR skin type. Are there products that seem to work for a vast majority of skin types?
Sure…but you have to know what to look for.
Do You Know What Your Skin Type Is?
That’s honestly the first place to start, if you don’t know what your skin type is. If you are someone who tends to get acne a lot, or you know your skin is already very sensitive, then you need to be more vigilant about which products you use.
Those with mostly oily skin luck out because they can often get away with using a wider range of products. Here’s what David Goldberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC, suggests:
Dry Skin
If you have mostly dry skin, you should look for products that offer moisturization, such as lactic acid and shea butter. The lactic acid offers exfoliation but in a gentle formulation. The shea butter offers hydration and locks in the moisture you already have. I like Coconut Milk Body ButterandManuka Honey Whip Face Cream with Aloe Vera & Shea Butterin my lineup because shea butter and Vitamin C are featured ingredients. I also tend to have dry skin, so these ingredients are a must for me.
Sensitive (Acne Prone) Skin Type
Most dermatologists recommend that you opt for products consisting of aloe vera, shea butter, or oatmeal if you have sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts. If you have combination skin, such as dry, sensitive skin, then products that combine all of those ingredients from both groups give you greater options.
Oily Skin Type
You also may have breakouts due to your oily skin. If so, products that contain alpha hydroxy, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or hyaluronic acid can be your friends. That’s because they control the excess sebum produced, and the hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse when it comes to holding hydration in only where it’s needed. Especially good are serums, face washes and toners using those ingredients.
Did you know that the order in which the ingredients are presented on the label matter too? Look at the first five or so ingredients, because that often accounts for 80% of the active elements in the product.
Still not sure what your skin type might be? Book an appointment with a dermatologist to get the definitive answer.
But most fall into primarily one or the other of the above categories. And keep in mind your skin type can change with age, health factors, and even the medications you are on.
Nabila K Product Recommendations by Skin Type
Dry Skin Types
Bath & Body
Blue Gold Lavender Glycerin Soap
Skincare
Manuka Honey Face Serum w/ Hyaluronic Acid Peptide
Sensitive Skin Types
Bath & Body
Skincare
Manuka Honey Face Balm with Shea and Cupuacu Butters
Shea & Aloe Face Wash
Manuka Honey Whip Face Cream with Aloe Vera & Shea Butter
Look up ingredients at this site. It offers an exhaustive list.
Oily Skin Types
Bath & Body
Skincare
For a Deeper Dive
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