Knowing When It’s Right for You

A lot of different products have similar — even nigh-identical — ingredient lists. There are some ingredients that are just plain good for you, so a lot of skincare companies use them, like panthenol (B5), or hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), vitamin C (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbic acid, etc.), vitamin E (tocopherol)…the list could stretch through this whole post. Each line has a slightly different formulation or percentage of the active ingredients, and each is quick to tell you theirs is the best. Some are, of course, better than others, and some — though you may use only one particular brand of product — are perfect complements to any other product line you may use with them.

I urge, implore, plead, beg, and humbly ask, too, that you give your friendly neighborhood skincare expert a shot to explain some benefits of things before shutting down the idea of a particular product. Unless allergies or other health factors (rosacea, pregnancy, certain auto-immune disorders) are concerns, trust the person you’re talking with. I can’t vouch for everyone at a cosmetics counter or in other skincare boutique settings, but we at Bellacara strive to be knowledgeable about ingredients, and really try to focus on what’s best for our clients.

Before you mentally turn down a great product suggestion because your friend didn’t like it, or it has an ingredient that scares you simply because it’s a buzzword (retinol, anyone?), pause to remember that your skin is different from hers, and though it might not work for her, it could be the key to your own perfect skin. What a shame to have the wrong impression of a product that could give you the results you’ve been searching for! Think of your perfect regimen like the perfect man: aren’t you glad your honey wasn’t right for his ex girlfriend? Isn’t he perfect for you? Good! (See, that analogy works!)

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