Hey Beauty Lovers,
I got a email from one of our readers asking me if she should invest in popular skincare line that cost about N30, 000 a jar, so I got inspired to write this article. 
When it comes to beauty products, a popular consensus is that the pricey the product, the better it is for your skin, Right?
Well not really..
As an Aesthetician, part of my job is recommending the appropriate skincare products for the skin-type of my clients. Oftentimes I get clients that are attached to a skincare brand because of the BRAND name and the fact that it was either recommended by a friend, or family member. Other times I get clients that rush to buy products because a certain celebrity uses or swears by that line.
I’ve worked in Beauty retail long enough to know that marketing is everything! and sometimes we get suckered into buying something we don’t know or want simply because the packaging looks beautiful (I’ve done this before).
So, How do I pick the right products for myself?
When it comes to shopping for the right skincare product, my no. 1 rule is what is the product’s functionality? meaning what does it do? does it fight acne, lighten dark marks, hydrate skin etc, and is that functionality right for me?
There are a million skincare brands in the world, some can be purchased for N100 while others will cost you 3 months salary. Regardless of the price, every brand promises to keep you looking younger, clearer, brighter and clean! What I know from my years of trying different products is that the truth of whether a skincare product is good or not lies in the MAIN INGREDIENT. You must check this first before purchasing the product. If you’re not sure how to do this, please read this POST.
Why are some products more expensive than others, if they do the same thing?
Again, it comes down to Ingredients. Expensive brands like Obagi, Clarins, La Mer, Dr.Sebaugh are that way because they contain active ingredients that are very hard to source, as well as patented formulations. While more affordable brands like Neutrogena, Avon, Boots brands and many more contain more available ingredients. One is not necessarily better than the other, they’re just different. For example, I would not recommend that a Client buys an anti-acne medication line from expensive brands like Dr. Murad because the line contains ingredients like Salicylic acid, and Benzoyl Peroxide that can be found in inexpensive brands like Neutrogena and Panoxyl.
Another reason why some skincare products can be more expensive is because of their formulations, have you noticed how serums and gels can be more expensive than body creams? That’s because the formulations of serums and gels are more potent, and produce results faster than body creams.
So if you are on a budget but want to buy a luxury skincare product, BUY THE SERUM and NOT the cream.
Now you know why some brands are expensive than others, the next question is why are consumers especially Nigerian consumers so attached to certain skincare brands? And are those brands better?
If you have normal skin, meaning you rarely breakout, develop rash and irritation then you are lucky! why? because you can use practically ANY brand of skincare products without experiencing irritation. When listening to the advice of friends and family, pay attention to the skin type of the person giving you that advice. Some people are blessed with great genetics and never have to worry about breakouts, while the rest of us are not and have to be very careful about what we put on our face.
If your skin is sensitive and reacts very easily, you have to educate yourself so you can make the best choice for yours skincare needs, and the first step is knowing and understanding your skin type, which can be done with the help of a Skincare therapist.
Truth is we all have different skin types and varying levels of Skin health.
If I’m using a Skincare Line, should I use every product in that Line?
While it is nice to follow a brand’s 3 step system, I don’t think it is necessary. But then again, this is because I’ve been educated in product combinations. So if you’re a beginner, it is important to use a product as directed to AVOID skin irritations.
My general rule when it comes to picking products is having 1 treatment product, for example if you are using a medicated face wash, then use a gentle toner and moisturizer, or if you’re using a treatment gel, then use gentle cleanser and toner. All of your 3 step products cannot be “medicated”.
Skincare lines like Clarins contain botanical extracts that calm and soothe irritations, while dermatologist prescribed lines like Obagi have more active ingredients. If like my older clients you are using the Obagi Nuderm with RetinA and Hydroquinone, your skin is being exfoliated so much that it is now sensitive, so you have to use gentle cleansers, hydrating serums and moisturizer. Using this potent product, means you can’t switch to another big name brand, that is known to use very strong active ingredients.
Also lines like Obagi Nuderm were created for clients concerned with aging, so if you’re in your 20’s-30’s, I would not advice you use this because there are milder options.
Here are quick tips on what to remember when buying a new skincare product, ask yourself
-What is the active ingredient in this product?
-What is my main skincare concern?
-Does this product achieve it? If not what products can I buy to achieve this goal?
**Remember, for skincare questions email myHairmyBeauty@Yahoo.com***
