When it comes to skincare, choosing the right product can be complicated. There are many factors to consider, including your skin type, age, existing skin damage, and even your gender and all of these factors can determine how effective any given product may be. That's why you should always choose skincare products that match your needs. Here are a few things to consider.
pH Levels
Your skin is slightly acidic, with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Men's skin is slightly more acidic than women's, on average, and some people will have a natural fluctuation from this norm. The acidity of your skin is caused by sebum, a fatty acid, and it serves to provide a protective barrier against infection. Some skincare products can affect your pH balance, leaving you more vulnerable to infection which is one reason you may break out after using a product. Check for labels like pH balanced or pH neutral on your cleansers and other products to ensure you don't damage your skin's natural acid mantle.
Skin Type
Your skin type depends on the amount of natural oil in your skin, which may or may not coincide with its pH level. In general, skin types include oily, dry, and combination skin and different products will work better on some skin types than others. This can become especially complex when trying to fight against your skin's nature. For example, using astringent can actually make skin oilier as your skin tries to counteract the effect. Aiming for gentler products balanced to your needs will be most effective.
Special Considerations
Other issues can affect how well your products work and which products are the best choice for your needs. For example, acne, rosacea, psoriasis and other skin problems require special treatment and may need medicated products. Aging skin also has different needs from the skin of a younger person due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
We offer free skin type assessments through our site, which can help point you in the right direction for choosing skincare products that will fit your needs.
