What should I consider when choosing a skincare product?

When buying skincare products, most of us rely on brands that we’re used to, some rely on customer reviews, while others are influenced by endorsements from celebrities or skincare experts.

But wading through different jargon and product ingredients can be confusing and skincare ingredients are particularly important for those living with autoimmune conditions.  AI sufferers need to consider every ingredient, as many can trigger a reaction related to their condition.  

So behind the claims we see on labels, let’s look for the key things you need to consider when buying a skincare product.

Know the ingredients the product is made from

Last week, we talked about reading labels in food products.  In the blog, we mentioned that the first ingredients you see on a label simply are those which the product is mostly made up of.  It works the same with skincare.  If a label says “with Argan oil” and you see this ingredient at the bottom of the list, then it’s clearly mislabeled.  Look for another product that shows otherwise.

Know when your product expires

Look for the numbers that say 6M, 12M, 24M, or the symbol of an open-jar. The M stands for the number of months that you can use as a guide when to replace your skincare product.  You can also often find the expiration date on the bottom of the product with the batch or lot number. 

Choose cruelty-free

Certified cruelty-free skincare products are much more gentle on the skin because they contain less artificial ingredients.  These products are especially good for people with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Ingredients to look for

• Vitamin E also known as Tocopherol – keeps skin hydrated and helps the skin’s protective barriers intact.  Vitamin E is also a great antioxidant.
• Caprylic glycerides are fatty acids that are from coconuts.  These agents help keep skin smooth and moisturised.
• Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate aka Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps rid off free radicals in our body.  Vitamin C also helps in the reproduction of collagen and prevents discoloration and aging of the skin.
• Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 are regenerating peptides which aid in collagen production.
• Ferulic Acid is a type of acid that comes from oranges and apples.  When combined with Vitamin C, they work to combat free-radicals in the body leaving us with younger and healthy-looking skin.

Ingredients to Avoid

Generally, you should avoid any skincare products that contain parabens (a form of cosmetic preservative).  This includes methylparabens, propylparabens, and butylparabens.  Stay away from sulfates (detergents), hydroquinone, and products with artificial fragrances that may cause irritation on the skin.

Love Your Health (LYH) only sells natural skincare products that are safe for those with autoimmune diseases.  You can check the range of skincare we recommend and also the top brands here.