“Buy skincare products for your skin…not the hype!”
Your favorite influencer swears by it, the reviews are so convincing, and before you know it, it’s in your shopping cart. Thousands of naira are about to switch owners. A week later, you look at your skin, and you are not proud of the decision you’ve made.
Ever bought skincare products everyone is hyping, only for you to break out? Worse, I have bought skincare products that worked for me, only to buy a refill that sent me back to where I started. The only question on my lips was “how?” I wondered what went wrong. I took my time to do comparisons and decided that I was either holding two fake bottles or they’re both authentic. So, what went wrong? It then struck me that I must have paired skincare products with ingredients that should never be combined.
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Not all skincare is skin care.
Ignore the hype; you need to pay more attention to what matters. Our skin is our appearance, and while we are trying to improve it, we must not feed it just whatever. It’s called skincare for a reason. When choosing skincare products, focus on the acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, or whatever your skin concerns might be.
“Ask the questions why, how, and what before choosing your skincare products…don’t settle!”
Here’s where you went wrong.
You Trusted the Label and Not the Ingredients
You see silicone bottles in pastel colors, and you are convinced they are luxury skincare products that work. That sleek jar with gold trimmings promising you “skin like milk” in 7 days is the same red flag that should make you think twice.
We need to unveil the truth behind the fancy packaging. In skincare, what is written in small print matters more than the glossy claims on the front. Paying attention to the list of ingredients on a skincare package is not only for your dermatologist. It is meant for anyone who wants healthy, glowing skin.
Why Reading the Ingredients Matters
Understanding what works for your skin type is vital, because the ingredients are what make up the skincare products.
1. Allergies & Sensitivities
You might need to depend on reviews from people with your skin similarities or experiment to find what works for you and spot ingredients that trigger reactions. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you need to take extra caution. This is because certain ingredients like fragrance, alcohol, and essential oils can trigger irritation. Reading the label will help you avoid ingredients that are personal triggers.
2. Efficacy
Knowing which exercises actually work for you is essential. Not every serum has enough active ingredients to work. If a brand lists ascorbic acid at the bottom of the list for a vitamin C serum, it’s probably diluted.
3. Avoid Harmful Additives
Parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances are not totally bad, but they may not be the best for your skin. Artificial fragrances and denatured alcohol strip away moisture and can cause breakouts. By reading the labels and not just going for the brand, you get to decide what goes on your skin.
READ: These African Skincare Brands Are An Absolute Delight
How Do I Read an Ingredient List Like a Pro?
- Have you heard of the rule of the first five ingredients in skincare? Well, this means the first five ingredients listed are highly concentrated, and you should pay attention to them. They are the decider. If the key ingredient your skin needs isn’t among this list, or you see a potential irritant, abort mission.
- The scientific names of anything can sound intimidating, and learning them is a chore on its own, but you have no choice. At least, be familiar with them. Tocopherol is Vitamin E. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. With time, you’ll recognize them if you choose to.
- Apps like INCIDecoder and some retailer websites break down ingredients in seconds. They also help decode labels.
Ingredients to watch out for
Know this by heart:
- Niacinamide calms redness, helps with acne, and strengthens the skin barrier.
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin.
- Ceramides protect the skin barrier.
- Vitamin C brightens the skin and fights free radicals.
- Retinol improves skin texture and doubles as an anti-aging substance.
Quick Dos and Don’ts:
Pair ✔️: Moisturizers, antioxidants, and exfoliants
Don’t Pair ❌: Exfoliants with actives and brightening skincare products
When shopping for skincare products, always remember to do a patch test, keep a journal to monitor how your skin reacts to new skincare products, and check for patterns. Furthermore, buy for your skin, not the hype. Just because a product worked for your favorite influencer doesn’t mean it will work for you.u.
I want to remind you that your skincare routine is only as good as the ingredients you apply on your skin.
What’s the most important ingredient you look out for when buying skincare products?
