Your skin is one of the most delicate organs of the body, though you don’t realise it. It constantly battles the elements, atmospheric pollution, airconditioned homes, harsh sunlight, stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise…the list goes on. Over time, it starts showing signs of distress with acne, blackheads, fine lines, pigmentation and many other issues.

Alarmed, you decide to clean up your act and resolve to eat better, exercise more, maintain a more regular lifestyle. Your skin responds with a slightly better appearance than before, but it is not yet back to its dewy looks. While nutrition and exercise definitely play a big part in skin health, you also need to give it a boost from the outside – specifically, in the form of good skin care products.

Topically applied gels, creams and serums are designed to penetrate skin tissues and effect a change there. They hydrate, correct anomalies at the cellular level, and improve collagen production to impart elasticity. Creams and gels may do the work that nutrition cannot, and they are often a faster way to get the same results. But how do you decide which product is the right one?

It doesn’t take intense detective work or coding skills to find the best skin care products. Just follow the steps we’ve outlined in this article:

#1 Pick products based on your skin type.

Skin care products are made as per skin type, so the first step is to ascertain if your skin falls under any of these categories: Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Combination (Dry-Oily, Normal-Dry, Dry-Sensitive). If you have sensitive or combination skin, the ingredients in generically produced products might disagree with you in some way. Your dermatologist is the only qualified person to tell you which products you can buy for your skin type, and which to avoid. Of all the skin types, oily types do well with most store-bought skin care products because this skin type is hardier than others. However, it is best to pick the best skin care products that suit the type of skin they were made for.

#2 Select top rated brands.

Market leader brands are at the top of their game in terms of using safe ingredients, investing in R&D and good packaging. Some of the best skin care products in the UAE come from brands like Kaya, which invest deeply in studying human skin and its various afflictions before designing products that will solve a particular problem. Your dermatologist can recommend certain products, or you can research online for the best ones in the region. A word of caution here: products that tout ‘All natural’ ingredients must be looked at with some trepidation. Just because something is natural or naturally sourced does not automatically mean it is safe to use. When choosing any product labelled as ‘Natural’, ‘Vegan’ or ‘Cruelty Free’, check the ingredients list to rule out any potentially harmful substances. If in doubt, ask your dermatologist to check for you.

#3 Look for reviews online and talk to your friends.

All prominent brands retail their skin care products online – and this makes it easier for you to identify and bookmark the best ones based on what past users are saying about the products. Look up reviews on e-commerce sites rather than company websites – the latter scrub out all negative reviews, so you are left none the wiser. If a certain product is blackballed by multiple users, find out why. It is best to avoid products that do not live up to their hype, price or claims.

#4 Do a patch test.

The test of the skin care product is in its safety and efficacy. If you are trying a product you have never used before, it is best to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount of the product on a patch of skin on your arm or thigh. Wait for 24 hours. If there is no adverse reaction, then the product is safe to use. The best skin care products are mild, hypoallergenic and safe to use for the skin type they are crafted for.

We hope these tips help you identify the right products for glowing, healthy skin for the rest of your life.

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