With so many skin care products on the market claiming to improve your skin, how do you know which to choose? Here are some tips on how to evaluate moisturizers, creams, cleansers and more, and how to choose the best skin care products for you.
Many skin care products present themselves as "cosmeceuticals," or products that claim to improve both the skin's appearance (a cosmetic effect) and function (a drug effect). However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize cosmeceuticals as a unique product category, and these non-drug products aren't subject to the same rigorous testing and regulation as drugs. The FDA has issued a number of warning letters to companies that have made inappropriate drug claims for cosmetic skin care products.
To evaluate the claims you see in skin care ads, start by asking about research that backs up the claims. An objective, double-blind study is considered best for evaluating skin care products, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (2009), but not all products undergo this kind of testing.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter (Davis, 2009), only two things are definitely proven to protect your skin: avoiding the sun (or wearing sunscreen) and using a daily moisturizer.
However, evidence does suggest that certain ingredients can help various skin problems. According to the Cleveland Clinic (2007), the following ingredients may be effective in skin care products:
Other ingredients that might benefit your skin include:
However, just because an ingredient may provide skin benefits, it doesn't mean that a product containing that ingredient will be effective for you. A product may or may not be effective depending on the concentration of the ingredient and your own skin needs. Many ingredients are available in both non-prescription and prescription forms. Talk to your dermatologist about your individual needs and the options available.
When reading skin care ads or labels, be aware that the FDA has no standards for the use of marketing words such as:
The best source of information is the ingredient list on the label. And, as always, if a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
American Academy of Dermatology. (2009). Cosmeceuticals. Retrieved December 18, 2010, from http://www.aad.org/media/background/factsheets/fact_cosmeceuticals.html
Cleveland Clinic. (2007). Understanding the ingredients in skin care products. Retrieved December 16, 2010, from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/skin_care/hic_understanding_the_ingredients_in_skin_care_products.aspx
Davis, M., (2009). Skin care. Retrieved December 16, 2010, from http://healthletter.mayoclinic.com/editorial/editorial.cfm/i/231/t/Skin%20care/
Harvard Health Publications. (2007). Tips for picking the right skin care products. Retrieved December 16, 2010, from http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_051707.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Warning letters address drug claims for products marketed as cosmetics. Retrieved December 18, 2010, from http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ComplianceEnforcement/WarningLetters/ucm081086.htm