Beauty

[SilleeMee]

First I assess my needs. 

Then I look for top-rated products.

Within my price-range.

Availability...ease of finding what I need at a reasonable cost for s&h, if applicable.

[wilma]

I wish I had a simple solution for you, but I don’t. Research and trial and error are the best we can do. A good dermatologist can also help. I would like to add that not all chemicals in products are harsh. At the same time some natural & organic products can be harsh. It really depends on the ingredient, formula, and your personal skin sensitivities. I do not believe expensive or organic products are necessarily better. 

[Montana]

Over time, I learned which ingredients don’t agree with me so that eliminates many products right out of the gate. After that it was all trial and error. 

What worked the best for me was breaking down what I needed by categories: cleanser, toner, exfoliant, serum, moisturizer, facial oil. I didn’t care about brands.  Then I worked on finding the most effective product in each category. It took a while and was expensive but that is how I found the core skin care I am using now.

I will still buy other things if they appeal to me.

[SurferWife]

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@momoftwo2007 wrote:

I find this video of interviewing Paula Begoun very helpful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsrM7DTDB8M

There is one part of the interview that she busts the myth of that natural is better.

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Great video! I use Paula’s Choice skin care & ❤️ it!

[Regal Bee]

I use all Philosophy products and my skin looks good. I take really good care of it and I stay OUT of the sun.

Philosophy works for me. I don't try anything else. 

[Trudey]

It's taken me a long time to figure out what works for my skin.  Through trial and error and seeing the difference when I stop using a product, I have finally settled into a routine that works for me.

Philosophy Purity Cleanser (have used it for over 20 years).

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (when I'm lazy about removing my makeup)

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid (use every morning)

Paula's Choice Intensive Retinol Serum (use most nights)

Gold Bond Neck and Chest Firming Cream (use every morning...amazing product)

Philosophy Hope in a Tube Eye Cream (best eye/lip cream I've ever used)

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream (use morning and night)

[Katcat1]

@CherryHugs  Try Acure Organics.  Reasonably priced like under $14 for Argan oil, Marula oil  (both cold pressed)and moisturizers are $14 & change.  Body lotions are wonderful and come in big pump containers.  I buy my Acure products from iherb.com because they are discounted a little.  However, you have to go the Acure Organics website for all of their products.  I iherb, you get free shpg. with $20.  I use Acure's hydrating shampoo, Brightening day creme, Marula oil, Citrus Argan oil, Orange & Cloves body lotion (smells wonderful).  You have to remember a lot of organic products do not have all organic ingredients but Acure does NOT test on animals, sulfate free, paraben free, etc. and they list all ingredidents.  Check out their website and you make the decision.  They are a family owned company and I trust their products.  The hydrating, moisturizing shampoo is excellent.  Love all the products I have on hand.  

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[SahmIam]

@CherryHugs  Samples. 98% of what I use I discovered via samples. The vast majority of products either irritate my skin or do nothing and I found this out via samples as well. Once I find a product (and often a line) that works with my skin and delivers what I need it to do, I stick with it. If that line offers "new and improved" I sample the product first and then make a decision.

I rarely shop for skincare items anymore because, like others here have stated, I only buy if my skin needs something new (ageing makes that happen, lol) or if I need to replace. I've used the same cleanser for almost 20 years as nothing has come close to working for my skin as this. My night-time cleanser has changed over the years but for the most  part, it's either a cleansing balm or a cleansing creamy-lotion. No need to search because I've found what works as a cleanser.

Moisturizers are tricky because companies keep changing a good thing and THAT often means the product is no longer hydrating enough for me. THe seasons change, so my moisturizer changes as well.

My spf is the only one I will use, no no reason to shop for one.

Eye products and serums change as my need changes. For the most part, once I find one that works, I stick with it till either my need changes or the product changes.

Again, ALL of these I found via samples. I buy skincare maybe twice a year; that's it. Price isn't the issue; performance is. I have radically changed my skincare over the past 5 years but I've also had major health/life changes in the past 5 years. I think back to what I used in my 20's and 30's and chuckle; I used hardly anything and what I did use was very light in texture. Today, those same products would leave my skin tight, red and screaming for moisture.

Once you find what works, all the ads and hype from products become background noise. Same with makeup, IMHO.