Everyone wants to be beautiful (and handsome!).

Many people are willing to pay the price to make sure they look their best. 

While society widely believes that beauty only runs skin deep, it takes a lot more than just good character to make a powerful impression.

This belief is why girls love styling themselves and putting on makeup. They aim to be prettier. On the other hand, guys are less inclined to wear it, because it might “reduce their manliness.” But that doesn’t stop them from using cleansers to look more presentable. 

If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it is the fact that their face has impact. They understand that they should take care of it.

One can always put on makeup and powder, but nothing compares to a radiant and natural glow!

This is why we turn to skincare.

Getting That Natural Glow Like A Pro

You already know how it goes.

Be an insider. Be knowledgeable. Scrutinize and don’t compromise! We’re talking about your skin, and it deserves the best. If you’re shopping for skin care products, doing your research is a must.

Firstly, wherever possible, try to keep away from these ingredients.

1. Parabens

This ingredient is inexpensive and common. It keeps many skin care products fresh and also prevents the product from harboring harmful bacteria. While this ingredient certainly has a good purpose, it also comes with other health issues. 

Parabens are found in breast tumors and other conditions, and it’s as good as a scare to anyone who uses it.

2. BHA & BHT

Synthetic antioxidants prolongs the shelf life of a skin care product. But most likely, these are carcinogens and hormone disruptors that also cause liver damage. So you know the drill: make sure your body’s main form of detoxification is functioning well without BHA and BHT!

3. Petrolatum

It’s said that petrolatum is safe when used as directed, but is it, really? It’s famous for battling dry skin. But the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that it may be carcinogenic, as it has trace contaminants that “penetrate the skin.”

Petroleum also has the 1,4 dioxane, an impurity that is a possible human and animal carcinogen. If you’re exposed to it (depending on the product you’re using), then it may not be so good! It’s found in hair dyes, self tanners, and face moisturizers—for goodness’ sake!

4. Formaldehyde

If you don’t want to suffer from sensory irritation and skin sensitization, then you may want to get skin care products with low levels of formaldehyde. It is not 100% dangerous, but with a high level of exposure? You’re on the wrong path, darling. You don’t want to say hello to nervous system disorders!

5. Oxybenzone

Sunscreens are good for keeping your skin nourished, but that shouldn’t mean you need to make a habit of using it every single day of your life. Oxybenzone is a prolific ingredient (you’ve probably heard of the term) commonly found in commercial chemical sunscreens. It absorbs UV light, thus providing UV coverage.

This ingredient has an 8 on the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s rating scale, and it means it is one of the most toxic ingredients found in beauty care products. Toxicology experts claim that the compound may cause hormone disruption and, worse, skin cancer.

How to Shop Like a Pro

So how should you do it? Here it goes… 

• Go to a trusted skin care center. 

We can’t stress how important this is. It doesn’t matter if you know all sorts of products when you’re shopping at a not-so-legitimate store. The beauty industry is a big, big world, and you have to be smart enough to avoid buying fake or counterfeit items!

It may be the skin care product you were hoping to find, but if it is fake, chances are what’s written on the label isn’t exactly as it seems and it contains harmful ingredients! That you should be afraid of! Go to trusted retailers and just shop from there! 

• Stay chatty with the beauty consultant. 

Do you think you can just take an item off the shelf, proceed to the cashier, and go home? Technically speaking, you can. That doesn’t mean you should! It always pays to do your homework. But you can only learn so much—the rest you have to learn from others. 

In this scenario, beauty consultants may just have the thing for you! Take some time to ask them about the best selling products they have, what they’re for, their ingredients, and if there are (to their knowledge) bad cases of skin conditions or illnesses a customer has acquired by using them.

Chances are…

They will answer all questions but one. Yup, they may not disclose bad details of an incident because they are working for that company, and they need to sell their product to you.

Or… They simply don’t know how to respond.

Well, beauty consultants are not there to sell you a product that will make you pretty. That product should also make you healthy. They should know what’s good and what’s bad. And they shouldn’t hide that from you, an inquisitive customer. 

If you find a competent and honest beauty consultant, make sure to listen to what she has to say. You may already have a preferred product in mind (prior to going to the shop), but he or she may just point you to a better direction that will make your skin care routine much more effective and safe. 

• Get the products you need. 

Much has been said about the products you shouldn’t buy. How about those that you need and are safe? It’s a pretty short list. 

Just get the following: 

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Vitamin A or D
• Toner
• Exfoliator
• Serum

Considering that there are a lot of “have-to’s” in the skin care world, this list is pretty definite!

Again, you’ve done your research, so make sure you find the perfect brand to aid you in your skin care journey! Find the rack that carries these items, and carefully review them before buying. You may do it alone, or you may also ask the help of a beauty consultant. 

Remember: by getting the products you already know you should buy, you’re giving the beauty consultants the impression that you are a skin care insider! They would know you know so much, and they would be more assistive to you. 

• Do not be swayed by bad sales talk. 

If there’s one thing that can beat smarts, it’s the talk. There are many beauty consultants trained and groomed to handle a know-it-all customer. They know just what weaknesses to hit and the right comeback to persuade them to buy their product.

If you encounter that kind of beauty consultant, stand by what you know (or watch your skin care suffer!). You should never be swayed by bad sales talk to buy a skin care product. 

What do we mean by “bad?”

Well, there are those who use sales talk to convince people to believe in their products and the benefits they could bring. But there are also those who use sales talk to touch the ego of a person and get them to buy the product even if it’s not what they need. 

The road to a flawless and healthy skin is long. If you’re not confident enough about what you know, then you’re not doing your best to try to be a “skin care insider.” 

WHY NOT? 

Because you’re letting other people convince you to buy a skin care product just because, even if it’s against your better judgement. 

You should know better than that! You’ve just read this article, and you’re more than equipped, darling!

No matter the state our skin is in, we can always save and better it! 

Ready, set, skin care-shop!