We’ve already determined what is it you want to accomplish with your anti-aging products, such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles or covering blemishes, so now we need to determine what skin type you have. There are almost as many skin types as hair types. You would not want to use a coconut oil based conditioner on oily hair because oil would make it even oilier. The same is true with skin products.
We have determined that most anti-aging skin products contain moisturizers – so knowing what type of skin you have determines what degree of moisturizer you should have in your skin care products.
Sensitive skin for example is prone to redness, itching, irritations or rashes. Therefore anti-allergens should be used. Products that are free of dyes and fragrances and contain ingredients designed to sooth the skin, such as aloe or chamomile would be the best choice for you.
For extremely dry skin petrolatum based ingredients will last much longer and help prevent water evaporation. Moderately dry skin responses well to oil based moisturizers that contain grape seed oil or other antioxidants.
The heavier the product base, the less better the water retention properties. Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Water based moisturizers used as a part of your daily skin care regimen can help to prevent your skin from becoming either too dry or too oily.
If you have naturally oily skin it is best to only use moisturizing products directly after a shower or bath. For your skin you only want to use light – water, based products. Alpha hydroxy acids and antioxidants help combat the appearance of wrinkles. There are contradicting points of view on whether alpha hydroxyl acids are the best choice or not, but then again, it depends on which product company is giving the answer.
By now you have probably sensed somewhat of a theme here – moisturizers and hydration. Those are the two best defenses you have for aging skin, dry skin, oily skin or sensitive skin. The more hydrated the skin is the smoother it will feel and appear. None of the companies that produce skin care or anti-aging products will disagree with that.
A variety of skin care products can be found on every supermarket shelf. There are aisle after aisle of them lining big box store and pharmacy shelves. If that didn’t provide enough confusion, there are specialty shops worldwide that sport anti-aging products, skin softeners and magic potions claiming life changing results.
There are products for your face, hands, feet or your entire body. The best product for your face will not be the same as the best product for the other parts of your body but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get soft, smooth, healthy skin that appears wrinkle and blemish free.
All of the choices can be overwhelming, confusing and if you are not careful – they can quickly become very expensive. Narrowing down the choices by understanding your skin’s type and need will go a long way in saving you time and money later.
