If only you could have the skin you had when you were 7 years old for the rest of your life. The reality is that aging, hormones, sun damage and poor skincare hygiene all take a toll on your skin. Of the hundreds of skincare products available, some cleanse, nourish and beautify your skin, while others do more harm than good, despite their hype.
Best: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the single-best product you can buy for your skin. Sunlight is the single biggest cause of premature aging and symptoms such as age spots, wrinkles, lines and sagging. It dries out and burns your skin and makes it susceptible to cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends making sunscreen a "cornerstone of any skin care regimen." Always keep a broad-spectrum sunscreen with you and buy moisturizers, foundations, powders and lip balms that contain sunscreens.
Best: Liquid Cleansers
These products are mild and moisturizing and help to prevent skin dryness and irritation. When your skin becomes too dry, it can crack and become irritated. It also develops fine wrinkles, which makes it less effective as a barrier, states the AAD. For even more skin nourishment and protection, buy organic cleansers or, at the very least, cleansers that are devoid of perfumes, colorings and other chemicals.
Best: Moisturizers
Moisturizers are also essential for keeping dryness at bay, which becomes more difficult as you get older. These products come in cream, lotion, liquid or serum form and must serve a particular purpose to qualify as "moisturizers," states Paula Begoun, author of "The Original Beauty Bible." Their ingredients must maintain the skin's structure by limiting free-radical damage, making the skin a more effective barrier and helping skin cells function more normally, explains Begoun. Some brands also contain skin rejuvenating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acid, co-enzyme Q-10, retinol and vitamin C.
Worst: Soaps, Shower Gels, Bubble Baths
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these products are effective at sloughing away bacteria, dirt and body oils and preventing odor and infection. Unfortunately, they tend to be too drying for your skin and makes it flake, itch or become irritated. Whenever possible, choose brands that have added moisturizers or skin-soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or vitamin E. Make sure these nourishing ingredients are listed among the first ingredients on the label; if they're near the end it means they are included only in small amounts.
Worst: Oily Products
If you have oily or combination skin, beauty products in cream, balm, thick lotion or ointment form can be problematic, states Begoun. These products clog pores and exacerbate breakouts or acne flares if you already have the skin condition. Instead, Begoun recommends choosing products that are water-based, very light fluid or serum formula instead.
Worst: Hydroquinone
Although this skin-lightening product can effectively fade dark spots, it can also cause severe adverse reactions. It increases your skin's sensitivity to sunlight and can cause significant discoloration and disfigurement. It's best to use it under a dermatologist's supervision. Always use it with a sunscreen.
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