By Valerie Perez
Regardless of what it looks like, everyone’s skin is unique. Seemingly everyone has the “best” skincare routine, but with varying skin types, it can be difficult to find the best products. Everyday companies introduce new products to the market with the well-known promise of being “all-natural” or “good for the skin.” These commercials and ads may seem convincing, but there’s truth behind the labels.
Figuring out products that work for each skin type is crucial. Whether it’s oily, dry, or combination skin, there are products to help better and improve each one. Products that say “good for all skin types” and “dermatologist recommended” are the best solutions since they’re not targeted towards any type of skin. The key to a good skincare routine is simplicity and consistency.
While researching the vast and diverse products of skincare, don’t be fooled by pretty and aesthetic packaging. Check the labels, and avoid any ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and fragrances before purchasing.
Cleansers
Cleansers are essential for extracting the dirt and oil from pores. A well-known and dermatologist-recommended cleanser is Cetaphil. It’s fit for all skin types and does the job keeping the routine simple. For acne-prone skin, Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide are common ingredients for ideal treatment. Biore, Paula’s Choice, The Ordinary and more are well-reviewed products to help treat all types of skin.
“Washing my face twice a day is a necessity,” senior Elijah Calma said. “Ever since I started cutting dairy out of my diet and washing my face consistently, I’ve really seen improvement in my skin.”
Toners
A toner is used to remove dirt from the skin, moisturize, reduce the appearance of pores and restore pH balance. pH balance is the amount of acid on your skin, also known as the “acid mantle.” The mantle helps to prevent infections and keep in moisture. The natural amount of acid that should be on the skin is 4.5-5.5. If it is too low or high, toners will help balance it out back to its healthy state. Simply pour the toner onto a cotton pad, and apply onto the skin. Thayers toner and Dickinson’s toner are both popular due to the overall positive results people have after including this into their routine. Both consist of the main ingredient Witch Hazel, a natural remedy that helps relieve inflammatory/irritated skin and reduce acne. Other types of organic ingredients these brands include are rose water, cucumber, lemon, and coconut water.
“Using toner always leaves my skin more hydrated and clean,” sophomore Elicia Gallegos said. “Although I try to stay away from toners that contain fragrances because they irritate my sensitive skin.”
The use of ingredients like rose and cucumber are beneficial to the skin because the natural substance is put into the product. When companies add fragrance to their products, it’s a gateway to irritation and allergies. Mario Badescu is commonly misconceived for having natural ingredients in their popular facial spray, but on the label, 14 of those ingredients are fragrances.
Moisturizers
Even though moisturizers aren’t a necessity in skincare as skin can hydrate itself, it can still benefit by soothing dryness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. For dry skin, Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream helps hydrate without clogging pores. An oily skin option is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel which is alcohol and oil-free, so it won’t be too thick on oily skin. Even though moisturizers have many benefits for the skin, don’t apply more than what is needed. Once the skin becomes too reliant on the added product, it will become more and produce less moisture on its own.
“I always make sure to use a moisturizer every day,” junior Maddy Knowles said. “Only to make sure my skin stays healthy even when I’m older”
With an industry as big as skin products, it’s easy to fall into the trap of charming looking products without truly seeing what’s hiding in plain sight. Ingredients never lie, so take a second look at the label, and see if they really are what they seem to be.
