A recent survey from Groupon showed us that American women spend a whopping $3,756 a year on their appearance. They spent the majority of that, not so shockingly, on facial products.
We don’t have to tell you that skincare products are expensive.
It’s all too easy to drop $200 on just a few products that swear they will revolutionize your skin. We hope that they work, but how do we really know?
With so many options on the market, we’re looking to stop wasting our time (and money) on products that are all hype but show no benefits.
In this article, we’re diving into each of our favorite skincare products and going over what results we should see from them and in what period of time.
It’s time we put our skincare products to the test and make them work for us.
Grab your beauty bag; we’re getting started.
Test Time: Are Your Skincare Products Working?
Ready to put your products to the test? Let’s find out who’s the problem: you or your skin treatment.
Cleanser
Everyone needs a great cleanser, but finding the right one can sometimes prove to be a challenge.
An ideal cleanser removes your makeup and dirt easily without an oily residue.
Avoid cleansers that make your skin feel overly tight, dry, or burned. Your skin should feel smooth, soft, and renewed and you should see these results immediately or after a few days of using it.
Experiment with different types of cleanser textures like oils, creams, gels, or exfoliants. You can also switch up how you apply them: your hands, a soft washcloth, pore cleansing silicon pad, vibrating face cleansing brush, etc.
Cleansers are the first step in a skin care routine so be sure to pick one that’s right for you and don’t settle for “meh” skin.
Toner
A great toner, applied after your cleanser, leaves your skin refreshed, your pores shrunken, and redness removed. It will also remove any remaining makeup or oils left on your skin.
Toner’s are well known for being harsh so look for natural ingredients (we’re personally loving on Kopari’s coconut rose toner) that won’t react with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Toners can be tricky to choose since they often take 1-2 weeks before you can really decide if they’re worth it or not.
Exfoliant
Exfoliants, both chemical and physical, are an important (yet often overlooked) part of a skincare routine. A perfect exfoliant will make your skin feel smooth, soft, and evenly toned.
Fine lines and wrinkles will tend to fade although it will take time. Test out a new exfoliant for 1-3 weeks before you decide if it makes the cut.
If you feel that the exfoliant is too harsh, consider different percentages of AHA or BHA or try a different texture. Also, some exfoliants aren’t designed to be every day so change up how often you use it and see if it helps. It’s always better to start off at a lower percentage and less often, and work your way up.
Serum
Serums can serve many benefits like anti-aging, brightening, firming, and smoothing. We love to layer serums (and reap all the benefits) but be sure you don’t try too many at once and risk having to narrow down which one is causing you grief.
You’ll likely see results anywhere from 2 weeks to a month so keep at it and stay patient.
Moisturizer
A good moisturizer is as good as, if not better than a good cup of coffee. It’s essential.
If you live in a tropical climate or it’s summertime, opt for a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated but not heavy with oil or grease. A heavier moisturizer is good for protecting your skin in cold weather.
If you don’t wear makeup with SPF or don’t apply one before or after your moisturizer, choose a moisturizer with SPF built in.
Strategies for Success
Trying to perfect your skincare routine? Make sure you’re following these four tips!
1. Be Consistent
Skincare treatments work if you put in the work. Take care of your skin morning and nightly and never sleep in your makeup. Yes, even if you come home from the club at 2 am–that’s when your skin needs love the most.
Over time, you’ll start to see the results and you’ll be glad you kept at it.
2. Be Patient
As you read above, skincare products often take between a few days to a few months before can safely give them the boot or welcome them to the family.
Nothing works overnight–no, not even that face mask the saleswoman swore on.
3. Avoid Harsh and Irritating Chemicals
This tip is especially important if you are prone to breakouts or have sensitive skin. Know your skin’s personality and which ingredients or products cause irritation.
Sometimes we forget that our skin is absorbing these products so it’s important what’s in the bottle as well as what’s not.
Avoid ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan/ triclocarban, aminophenol, diaminobenzene, phenylenediamine, petroleum distillates, and oxybenzone.
4. Always Check the Ingredients!
Before buying a new skin care product, it’s important we check the label, just like we do with food. What goes into our body is just as important as what goes into it.
Every now and then we love to treat ourselves to a facial, but make sure you know what they’re putting on your skin!
What we really love–and found to work the best–is organic skincare products. We are especially obsessed with the brand that Utah’s favorite Spa (the Mountain Side Spa) uses. You can view more here.
Look Your Best with These Beauty Tips
If you love all things skincare products, makeup, fashion, and glamour then you need to check out our beauty blog. We keep you up to date on all the most interesting trends
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