Most people don't know what is effective and what ingredients work for their type of skin. So when it comes to a skincare routine, either they end with one side - the minimalism, or the other side - the extremism.
People in the first case use almost nothing for their skincare. They fear the ingredients will do more harm than good. Sometimes, it can feel safe; however, they ignore what the skin really needs. On the other hand, extremists use and try almost all products available in the market, layering multiple ranges on their skin. They think it is productive, but the wrong usage of the products may lead to barrier damage, skin irritation and breakouts.
See your skin from the perspective of a Dermatologist
So it is best to know what your skin really needs. That is why a dermatologist does not support either minimalism or extremism. Dermatologists support essentialism. Which means you should know what ingredient suits your skin best.
To know what your skin needs, ask yourself these simple questions:
- Does my skin feel comfortable using this product?
- Is it causing any irritation, stinging, or burning?
- Does my face feel calm after washing the face?
- Does makeup sit well on my skin?
- Do I feel an urge to keep touching my skin?
Notice everything in detail, as much as possible. Then decide the first thing your skin needs right now. Remove what is not needed, build a temporary routine, keep a watch and see if that helps. Notice how your skin is responding to the new routine and then make changes accordingly.
Now choosing the right product sounds overwhelming because there are thousands of products in the market, claiming to give glowing skin. How would you know what will suit you best? Let’s see this way - a dermatologist looks at the product label very differently. Let me break it down for you.
First Rule: The Front Label Is Branding.. Not Medicine
The front label of the product is designed to sell. What is written on the front is for marketing. They are not medically proven words. They sounds impresive and look tempting for buyers to buy the product. However, there are regulations. Every product must show an ingredient list on the backside of the product.
To understand the ingredient list -
1. Understand the order of the ingredient list.
Why? Because the first few ingredients are the base or the foundation of what your product is made of. And the ingredients listed at the end has least amount of it. If they highlight the bottom ingredients more, consider it as marketing, and it does not have anything related to the performance of the product.
For example, for acne-prone skin, a spot treatment with a minimal ingredient list can be more effective than layering multiple products. This is something you see in focused formulations like a targeted acne gel.
2. Base of the product
You must know the base of the product first because the base behaves differently on different skin types. A great ingredient with the wrong base can cause issues.
Common bases include aqua (water-based), gel, and cream. A dermatologist matches the base with skin type.
Aqua-based products are light and generally fast absorbing, and are mostly suited for oily and acne-prone skin, combination skin type and humid atmosphere.
Gel bases sit between water and cream. It hydrates without greasiness. These are mostly suitable for oily, combination, and sensitive skin types, again depending on other ingredients included in the product.
Cream-based products are more nourishing and suitable for a dry and damaged skin barrier.
Note: Your skin type is not the same forever. The same person may need products with a different base in different seasons.
3. Notice What Is Helpful Vs What Is Not Working
The ingredients you are using are not bad. It is just that you have to find something that is suitable for your skin type, currently. A Dermatologist checks everything, like - are there any irritants added or the fragrance which is not needed, or multiple strong layered ingredients are present? If your skin is acne-prone, just go with simpler formulations.
4. Don’t Fall for Buzzwords Alone
The words “non-comedogenic”, “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist tested” are useful when seeing the ingredient list and checking the proof. These are supporting information, not guarantees.
Instead of trusting these blindly, combine them with the ingredient list order, the base of the product, and above all, your skin’s reaction.
5. Do not overload your routine
Rather than trying multiple things altogether, try fewer products with consistency. This way, you will know what is suitable for your skin type. Stop experimenting and switching to different products consistently.
Once you understand the labels and what your skin truly needs, you will know what changes between packaging, branding and storytelling.
Final Thoughts
It is not about memorising the ingredient list; it is about slowing down, seeing the difference, understanding your skin needs, and then deciding what actually works. The product that suits best for your skin, need not be expensive or the most talked about. It is about one product that fits best to your skin without irritation.
