As we are a site of information and advice, it is surprising how many misconceptions people have when trying to choose skin care products that are right for them. When perusing the vast market of skin care products, there are certain factors which continue to be the essential building blocks for helping select your skin rejuvenation products.

• There is no "best" product or product line, and one may not work better than another.
  I am asked questions referring to this constantly. There is no way to compare most ingredients or products against each other. Vitamin C, glycolic acid, copper peptide, vitamin A, etc. products are as separate as apples, tomatoes, pineapple, and zucchini-they are not the same thing.

• Each ingredient is derived from a different source, is active in a different way, and produces different internal results than the next.
  For example, alpha hydroxy acids help the skin to slough away dead skin cells, while antioxidants (i.e. vitamin C, copper) protect skin cells by helping prevent future skin damage. They cannot be compared to each other and one is not better than the other, but by incorporating them together into a routine, the skin receives improved synergistic benefits than by using one over the other.

• What sets the price of products?
  Skin care products come in a wide range of pricing, and this is contingent on many factors. Product pricing is initially set by the manufacturer and is based upon the following factors:

  • Cost, time, and manpower of research behind the product
  • Technology of ingredients
  • Technology of delivery systems
  • Quality and availability of ingredients

• What sets the quality of seemingly similar products apart?
  The quality and concentration of active ingredients are two examples of what helps make a product "better" than another. For example, many brands containing alpha hydroxy acids do not contain enough of the active ingredient to be effective for the intended purpose of skin rejuvenation. Unfortunately, many products do not list their percentages on the labels making it difficult to know with certainty what is your best selection.

  This is not to say that the higher the percentage of an active ingredient in a product, the better. Skin needs to acclimate itself to a product before moving to a higher percentage. There is an increased chance of irritation when starting with the highest percentage of active ingredient, whether or not it is glycolic acid, vitamin C, etc.

• Having younger, better-looking skin takes commitment and time.
  What you visualize as signs of age is damage that has been allowed to happen. Treating and repairing skin should be seen as similar to exercise. Proceed in stages and make it a lifelong habit.

  Many women "product hop", feeling that results should be noticeable within a month or two. At that time, it is not uncommon for many to mistakenly think the product is ineffective. A good rule of thumb for your skin rejuvenation regimen is to use the product according to directions for at least six months before determining the overall benefits. Long-term improvement is achieved over time. If you don't have the patience to use a product this long, you aren't as serious about your routine as you should be. Paradoxically, someone with very damaged skin will likely notice initial results much sooner than someone with skin that is in better shape. This means that it is easier to appreciate some early visual and textural changes in really bad skin as opposed to having the treated area look perfect.

• Preventative products don't give necessarily give visible results, but definitely help ward off negative consequences, and are imperative to the efficacy of any other treatments.
  A high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen should be used daily to protect your skin from future skin damage. Sun protective clothing and a hat are also very helpful in reducing harmful UV rays from damaging the skin.

• Every product does not work for every person.
  Just as there are no guarantees in medicine for individual results, so too is this the case when it comes to skin rejuvenation products. Vitamin A derivative products are a perfect example. Tretinoin, retinol, and retinyl palmitate are great ingredients for reducing the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and brown spots. Many people are able to tolerate these ingredients with great results, but others, like me, have issues with irritation. Understand that because something works for someone else, it may not either work for you or be a product your skin can tolerate.

• Most importantly, know your main concern.
  It is very easy to become bogged down with products if you try to fix everything at once. When you look in the mirror, what is the first thing you notice that really bothers you? Concentrate on this area, then try to overcome the world.

Although the world of skin care products is confusing, if you arm yourself with some information, you will know how to proceed, and which pitfalls to avoid. Rejuvenation can be a lot of fun and highly rewarding if done properly. Enjoy!

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope you have found it informative.

Michelle Occhipinto
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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