Beauty Products: Why Less Is More

If you are anything like me, a heaping pile of skin care products warms your heart. I love to try new products, experience the different textures, and revel in the glow of a good purchase. But the truth is, less is more when it comes to products. Have a million lipsticks, but keep your skin care regimen to a limited number of products.

Why to minimize the number of skin care products you use:

• If you have irritation or a reaction it is easier to identify the offender
• The less steps (products) in your skin care regimen, the more likely you are to use the products and stick to your regimen
• Less products means less opportunity for adverse reactions
• You'll be able to tell what is working and what isn't 
• You'll save heaps of money

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging is determined by our genetic code. Without the proper products and health decisions intrinsic aging can be somewhat mitigated. The components of intrinsic aging are:

• The outer barrier of skin weakens
• DNA repair slows
• Blood flow decreases
• Chronic inflammation increases

Extrinsic Aging is determined by environmental factors. Photoaging (sun damage) is the number one cause of extrinsic aging. Components of extrinsic aging are:

• Sun damage
• Smoking
• Stress
• Poor nutrition
• Sleep deprivation

Don't fall into the play now, pay later skin care mentality. I was recently on a cruise and saw two young early twenty somethings slathering on the oil and tanning accelerator, their skin already dark crispy brown. It took everything I had not to lean over and tell them how much they would regret all this sun exposure once they reach their thirties!

The 4 Types of Moisturizers

Creams:

• white and thick, oil-in-water emulsions made with mineral oil or lanolin

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $26.50

Lotions:

• light and translucent, these have lots of water and an extra ingredient (usually a silicone, hydrogel, or PEG) to give them a nice smooth feel

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy has a high water content and glycerin

Gels:

• clear and thick, made up of polymers, hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient that helps to hold moisture

Kate Somerville HydraClear Hydrating Acne Gel, $65.00

Serums:

• clear, translucent, or creamy, can be very thin even runny. Serums are an incomplete mixture of oil and water or cyclic silicones.

Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum, $59.00

Only those with severe acne and extremely oily skin should skip moisturizers. As with cleansers, there are many moisturizers that have been around for generations and work quite well, just ask your Great Aunt Ethel. Also, many of the more expensive products offer a way to combine skin care regimen steps into one product, for example, by combining a moisturizer with sun protection.

Recommended Reading : The New Science of Perfect Skin