*This is a collaborative post.

Getting your skin routine right can be so hard. There are thousands of skincare products out there all claiming to be the best thing for your skin type, so how are you supposed to tell what is right for you?

This is a big problem because it can do more harm to your skin if you choose the wrong products and the problems you are trying to solve actually get worse. People often find this with issues like oily skin or acne because they end up using products that increase moisture instead of reducing it.

You also have to remember that your skin changes over time due to factors like age and environmental factors too. So, you need to adapt your skin routine when it isn’t working for you. That’s why it’s important to know how to select new skin products. Follow this simple step-by-step guide and you will be able to find the perfect products to add to your skin routine. 

Determine Your Skin Type

You need to understand your skin type before you start selecting skin products. Skin types are easily identifiable because they tend to be consistent throughout your life. There are several different skin types. However, the most common ones are dry, oily, or combination skin. Understanding which one you have means that you can select products more effectively and use them in ways that will give you better results.

Dry Skin: If your skin is very dry, it will show up as tightness around certain areas like around the eyes or along the jawline. You will also notice flaky patches of dead skin on the surface of your face particularly after exfoliating. Dryness can be caused by dehydration. Drinking water regularly is important for keeping your skin hydrated and in optimum condition. 

Oily Skin: If your skin is very oily you will find that it becomes greasier as the day goes on, no matter what you do. Your pores might be more visible than usual and your T-Zone (forehead, nose, and chin) might start to shine as the oil gets trapped in those areas. People who have oily skin tend to suffer from acne breakouts too which can leave people feeling self-conscious about their skin. 

Combination Skin: If you have combination skin then it can be a little tricky because you are somewhere in the middle and certain areas of your face will be drier than others. You need to pay attention to both areas when selecting products for your routine because they will both be in different states. 

Most products will say what skin type they are for, but it’s the ingredients that you want to pay the most attention to.

Research Which Ingredients To Look For And Which Ones To Avoid

Now you have a good understanding of what skin type you have, it’s time to start checking the ingredients in your products. Here are some common ingredients that work well for different skin types: 

• Dry Skin: Glycerin, olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, or argan oil.

• Oily Skin: Salicylic acid, witch hazel extract, benzoyl peroxide.

• Combination Skin: Salicylic acid, witch hazel extract, niacinamide. 

There are plenty of other ingredients out there that can help specific skin problems too like inflammation, dark spots, wrinkles, etc. But the most important thing you need to do is avoid certain ingredients because they will make your skin worse or cause irritation. Ingredients to avoid include: 

• Sulfates: this family of ingredients can strip your skin and cause dehydration which will intensify oil and cause breakouts. 

• Parabens: these ingredients are used to prolong the shelf life of products. Meaning they can be on store shelves for months. But they also interfere with your hormones and mess up the balance in your skin that keeps it healthy. 

• Phthalates: These chemicals add fragrance to products and can interfere with your endocrine system too just like parabens.

It’s challenging when you first start reading labels because there is a lot to take in. But you’ll get used to it after a while. Ideally, try to pick products with a few active ingredients and nothing else. Natural ingredients are always a safe bet too. The first five ingredients on the list usually make up the bulk of the product, so focus on those.

Consider The Sustainability Of The Brand

The next thing to consider is whether or not the brand that makes the product is sustainable. You might find this information on their website or in an ingredients list. Hopefully it’ll be readily available so you can make an informed decision before purchasing anything. If companies prioritize quality over profits they will favor using natural ingredients, which are better for your skin and planet too. 

It might take some time to build up a collection of green beauty products. However, it is worth investing in them because they are better for you and the planet. The good news is Clean Beauty is really taking off at the moment. This means there are more sustainable and natural options than ever before. If you shop around a bit, you can find plenty of great products that will do wonders for your skin without causing environmental damage.

Check Some Reviews

Reviews are a great way to find out if a product is worth buying or not. Look for reviews that are detailed because they will tell you if it works, the pros and cons of each product, etc. It’s worth spending a bit of time reading reviews online before making any big decisions. Especially if it’s an expensive purchase like skincare products. However, don’t get too hung up on one review either. Other people might have different skin types to you or their skin may react differently to the product. 

Do A Patch Test

Finally, you need to do a patch test before incorporating the new product into your routine. This is just to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it. You can do a patch test by applying a small amount of product to your wrist and waiting a few hours to see if there is any reaction. This is especially important when trying new makeup products. These sometimes contain perfumes, oils, and other ingredients that you might not usually use in your skincare routine. Generally speaking, it’s best to introduce one new product at a time into your routine, so it’s easier to pinpoint the culprit if something goes wrong.

As long as you follow these steps, you can find the best new skincare products to incorporate into your routine.