The actual worth of a skin care product implies both the worth of the actual product in achieving the desired goals as well as the worth in relation to the cost versus the actual benefits. Most often I comment on the actual worth of the product in achieving the desired goal – dispelling the myths and unravelling the hype. But for today I would like to talk about good preventative skin care that justifies the cost for the desired effect.The basics of every skin care regimen, especially in a pollution filled city like New York must be;

1. Cleansing the skin of pollutants and dirt. Be careful not to strip away moisture and natural oils during the process.
2. Exfoliation – gently remove the dead layers of skin to uncover the beautiful healthy skin below. Too much exfoliation can leave the skin irritated and red, so limit exfoliation to once or twice weekly.
3. Moisturizers- these products are designed to keep your natural moisture in the skin. Not all parts of your face need moisturizers, and some areas will need lots of it.

Cleansers

Walking through the department store cosmetics section, I am overwhelmed by the large array of products available in a steep price range that promise to cleanse your skin, but which is best. Perhaps more importantly, the question should be, which type of product is best for my skin and How much should it cost? The key to a good moisturizer is that it should be non-foaming and gentle on your skin. You are trying to remove dirt – not a coat of paint on your car! A great example is Cetaphil Cleanser. Cost-$4.79

Exfoliants

As we age, the dead skin cells add up on the surface of our skin. This build-up give a ruddy and less-than-ideal complexion. Exfoliation is the process of removing these dead cells to reveal the youthful you! Extreme versions of exfoliation include microdermabrasion (in your doctors office) for $250 per session or can be easy and cheap. My choices for excellent, inexpensive exfoliation include 1) a Buf Puf twice a week ($3.99) or 2) St. Ives Apricot scrub with 2% salicylic acid ($4.79).

Moisturizers

Now moisturizers take up the most room in the store and perhaps do the least. A couple of key points regarding moisturizers.

the only thing they do is trap moisture in your skin.

2) The Federal Trade Commissions requires that they only need to demonstrate the ability to trap moisture before they can claim that they cure fine lines and wrinkles.

3) Not all people need a moisturizer.

4) For those that need a moisturizer, not all parts of your face may need a moisturizer.

5)Moisturizers designed for different locations on your face or body (i.e. under eyes, neck or hands) are NO different. So don’t spend extra money for multiple products.

6) Different moisturizers will work differently on different types of skin – try several and pick the one that works best for you, regardless of cost or packaging.

7) Forget the phrase “all natural”. There are many natural things that can hurt you. A good moisturizers will have mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin or some other product similar and very synthetic.

A good starting point for a moisturizers is to try Eucerin for under $100.