By Kelly Lee McCarrenWe know the exact amount of calories in our morning latte and the percentage of fat we can burn on the cross-trainer; yet somehow many of us smear and slather an abundance of lotions and potions onto our skin daily with little to no regard as to what’s actually IN the products.
Rescu. chats with skin care product guru Sean Abel from DermaQuest.
RESCU: Why is it so important to read the label and have an understanding of the ingredients when buying skin care?
Sean Abel: Understanding how to read an ingredient label will reveal the truth about what is in each product and whether the ingredient is active enough for it to work. Far too many consumers believe the marketing spin big beauty companies put on their latest and greatest product; it pays to be savvier and read the fine print.
RESCU: When buying skin care products what is the importance of the % of actives in the ingredient line up?
Sean Abel: It is true that ingredients can be irritating at a high percentage, but most performance ingredients need to be at a higher percentage for them to do their job. 0.5% of anything is going to have a negligible impact on your skin. By balancing the skin first and seeking the advice of a skincare expert, all skin types can benefit from the use of specific active ingredients formulated at their highest percentages.
RESCU: How do we know that we are getting what we are paying for? Can you share some tips?
Sean Abel: As a general rule of thumb, ingredients are listed from the HIGHEST percentage to the LOWEST. For example, Hyaluronic Acid is a great ingredient for skin balancing and hydration, but you need to take note of where it sits in the list of ingredients. If it is the first ingredient, then you know it will work well and be worth the price. If it is much further down, it’s probably not worth the price tag at all. Hyaluronic should be in a 40% formulation for maximum results.
RESCU: What active ingredients help counter;
Sean Abel:
- Pigmentation – Melanostatin-5, Vitamin C.
- Fine lines and wrinkles – Peptides, Plant Stem Cells.
- Blemishes – Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide.
- Scars – No skin care product can break down scar tissue. We would recommend use of the Dermaroller, a TGA-listed medical micro needling device.
- Acne – Salicylic Acid, Triclosan.
RESCU: What is the biggest misconception/myth when shopping for skin care?
Sean Abel: That the most expensive product is the best. This premium price is probably just paying for the packaging and the celeb who is endorsing it.
RESCU: Can skin care products ever be damaging in the wrong doses?
Sean Abel: YES, of course. Many ingredients can be very irritating if prescribed for the wrong skins. Consult a skin expert before embarking on a new skincare regime.
RESCU: What is the difference between cosmeceuticals and cosmetics? Who should choose what?
Sean Abel: Cosmeceuticals are generally sold through skincare clinics. Cosmetics are generally sold through department stores and supermarkets. Cosmeceuticals are generally higher in the percentage of active ingredients and they are generally prescribed for skin conditions (e.g acne or ageing) rather than skin types (oily, dry, combination).
There we have it ladies, insider tips on skincare shopping. Marketing ploys, gimmicks and pretty packaging be gone!
