Have you always wanted flawless skin but can't figure out your way to it? We've all been there. Because here's the thing, we all know it's important to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and wear sunscreen for better-looking skin, and many of us have been doing that for a while; but where's that amazing transformation all skin gurus promised?

Well, we had to learn this the hard way, but using skincare products isn’t enough; you have to use the right ones. And no, everything your favorite skincare blogger recommends isn’t the right product. You have to look around and find the best skincare for you, and that may take a trip or two to the nearest medical spa too!

Here’s what we suggest you keep in mind when buying skincare this year.

Start By Determining Your Skin Type

This is the first step, and it’s also the most important one; you have to start by knowing your skin type. It’s one of the mistakes most people make when they blindly buy products recommended by skincare bloggers or other sources.

There are different skin types, and most products are designed to suit only specific types. So, for instance, if you have dry skin but use a product designed for oily skin, your skin will only get drier.

Here are the three main skin types that you must read up on to determine yours:

Oily Skin: Do you have oily skin? If you do, believe us, you'll know. People with oily skin usually have increased sebum production, especially around the T-zone. You'll have to choose products that help you keep your skin hydrated without increasing the oil on your face.
Dry Skin: If you have dry skin, you need ointments, creams and moisturizer that help lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.
Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, you have to be extra careful. Sensitive skin is usually categorized as such when it reacts to anything and everything. Ideally, you must stick with more natural ingredients and fewer products.

Always Start with The Basics

This goes without saying, but you don't need products for a 16-step skincare regime right away. Start slow and steady with simple products like a gentle cleanser, a toner, a moisturizer, and sunscreen.

If your skin isn’t used to a lot of products, it may react negatively to the sudden influx of skincare. Start with a few products and slowly incorporate more targeting specific skincare problems.

Remember, You Don’t Need Every Trending Product

From Korean skincare for glass skin to gold-infused masks, there's a lot of hype around some new products. Some of these are pretty great and effective, but you don't necessarily need to invest in the hype.

Consider your skin type and your skin needs before making any purchase. Don’t jump on every skincare bandwagon.

Read Up on The Ingredients

This brings us to the ingredients in skincare products. If you a product is trending, you should look at its ingredients to see if they'd work for you. As you look through the ingredients, make sure to focus on two things:

Everything with the words natural and organic on the label isn’t necessarily amazing – go through the ingredients to see what exactly the “natural” part of it is.
Check how the ingredients are ordered. If the ingredients you’re looking for aren’t listed at the top, it may mean that those aren’t the main ingredients, but the product only contains a small quantity of those.

Always Try Samples First

When buying skincare, don’t pay for full-size bottles right away. Always pick up sample or travel sizes and conduct patch tests. This is incredibly important if you have sensitive skin since it’ll alert you to any skin allergies.

Know What to Avoid

As a general rule of thumb, there are some ingredients and elements that you should always steer clear off when choosing skincare products. Check the ingredients list for these:

Unnecessary added fragrances
Parabens
Sulfates
Formaldehyde

None of these are very helpful for your skin and may cause your skin’s health to deteriorate over time, so it’s best to avoid them.

Also, it might be a very good idea to speak to a dermatologist or skin professional before you invest in skincare. A quick consultation at a medical spa like Skin Loft in NYC can help you determine your skin type and the problems that may need to be addressed.

Book an appointment today or give them a call to ask about the medspa’s wide range of high-quality skin care products.