Discount Skin Care
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated 10 months ago
Department store shelves are lined with a wide variety of skin care products. One can find cleansers, tonics, astringents, moisturizers, anti-wrinkle creams, masks and sunscreens. Their prices range from a dollar a box to several hundred dollars an ounce. But is it really necessary to spend a small fortune on skin care products? The answer is NO.
Skin care advertising, and skin care company representatives often give women distorted, inaccurate and exaggerated information about skin care and makeup products. Yet despite the promises of these products and their representatives, many of us continue to dish out money for products that don't live up to their promises. It’s both disheartening and frustrating when skin care products don't actually work as expected.
There probably isn’t a woman in America who hasn’t been influenced by the promises of at least one cosmetic product. Don't waste money on overpriced, ineffective chemical based skin care products. Here's what you need to know about the myths perpetrated by the skin care industry, and the discount skin care products you can use for beautiful, healthy looking skin.
Debunking the Skin Care Myths
There Is No Such Thing as Deep Cleaning. You can clean your skin by washing off dirt and debris with soap and water. But you cannot "deep clean" your skin. There is no preparation or product that can go deep into a pore and clean it out. Just because a skin care product is expensive, does not mean that it will clean your skin any better. Nor does it mean that it will be gentler or in any way better than less expensive skin care products. In fact, the same basic cleansing agents are used in almost all skin care products. When you’re searching for a skin care cleanser, look for one that works well with your skin type, and leaves your skin clean without over drying it.
A Tan Is Overrated. We are unfortunately living in an era that still considers a suntan desirable. This was not always so. Fifty years ago, a suntan would have been associated with poverty and unpleasant working conditions. And fifty years from now that will probably be true again. Presently however, suntans are seen as glamorous and luxurious. But exposure to the sun, even for just half an hour a day, can cause cumulative damage to your skin over the years. Fortunately, there are a number of products currently available that can help you "fake" a tan if you really feel the need to have one.
Expensive Doesn’t Mean Better. Spending more money on skin care products doesn’t mean that you will have better skin. The amount of money you spend on skin care has no bearing on the appearance of your skin. And regardless of price, an irritant-free natural toner like Aquaspirit® is infinitely better than a toner that contains alcohol or other irritants, regardless of the price.
Your Skin Care Problems may Actually Be Caused by the Skin Care Products You're Using. If your skin is oily, it's possible that the moisturizer you are using is too rich in emollients. Products that promise a "temporary face-lift," may actually cause more wrinkles due to the irritation they cause. And products made to control acne may cause more blemishes if they irritate the skin. Skin care products can contain a wide variety of harsh chemical ingredients that can be irritating, drying, or can result in an allergic reaction.
Most Anti-Wrinkle Creams Are a Temporary Fix. Wrinkles are caused by sun exposure, genetic inheritance, or illness. They are not caused by skin dryness. So, a moisturizer will not help remove wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle creams may be useful in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, but it's important to remember that their effects will only be temporary.
Harsh Skin Care Products can Cause Blemishes and Wrinkles. Facial scrubs or cleansers that contain harsh ingredients can be quite irritating to the skin. And harsh products can be so irritating that it causes skin irritations, breakouts, dryness and possibly wrinkles.
Less Is More. Most skin care product companies would have you believe that you need to use at least a dozen skin care products on a daily basis to clean, moisturize, and protect your skin. But in fact, most skin care specialists agree that the more products you use, the greater your chances of allergic reactions, cosmetic acne and/or irritation.
