The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that most people use more cosmetic products than they need--which doesn't lead to healthy skin. The skin care market is so full of products claiming spectacular results that consumers may have to buy more in order to find items that are actually effective. Dermatologists endorse some types of products as fully capable of doing what they are designed to do for your skin.
Cleanser
Clean skin is healthy skin. The surfactants in soap effectively remove excess sebum, the oily substance excreted by the glands to keep skin pliable. Daily cleansing with mild soap reduces your risk for clogged pores, skin infections and premature aging. It helps healthy skin exfoliate, so that it will generate new cellular growth. Some soap ingredients such as antiseptics and deodorants, however, can overdry your skin. Experts at Skin Sciences Institute suggest using a moisturizing glycerin-based cleanser for your face.
Moisturizer
Doctors at the AAD call moisturizer an essential part of skin care that does its job immediately. Moisturizing cream and lotion formulas have been scientifically proved to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and give skin a smooth texture and look. This action soothes dry and irritated skin as it forms a protective barrier to keep dust and debris out of your system. Moisturizing cosmetic products are effective at restoring the skin's moisture balance after cleansing, which has a drying effect.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most effective cosmetic products you can buy. It prevents premature wrinkling, age spots and even skin cancer. Health professionals recommend SPF 15, 30 or higher-strength formulas that address both ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB) rays. Effectiveness has its limits, though. The Skin Cancer Foundation points out that sunscreen restricts most, but not all, ultraviolet radiation from penetrating your skin. You can supplement sunscreen with hats, protective clothing and shade.
Anti-Aging
Anti-aging products help your body perform self-repair skin care as you sleep. As skin ages, it exfoliates less efficiently. Anti-aging creams with hydroxy acids and similar active ingredients encourage the turnover of surface skin cells to relieve dullness, dryness and flakiness. Some of the ingredients that AAD dermatologists recognize as effective for this purpose are retinoic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamin A, C and E supplements.
Anti-Acne
Skin doctors list cleansers and other skin care products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as effective for acne treatment. The effective strength of the solution varies by individual skin quality and severity of acne condition, as some types may be irritated by these ingredients. When used on a continual basis at a tolerable strength, however, the AAD finds products that contain these ingredients beneficial to acne management and safe for healthy skin.
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