Before you are seduced by the exotic beauty products available in the market, here are a few things you should know. Navjyoti Dalal provides a checklist

Poorva Sharma, a wheatish complexioned electronic media professional, always wanted to look stunning on camera. And to get that perfect look, she tried everything from make-up to instant fairness creams, to night creams and face packs. Nothing seemed to work, instead the chemicals in the products made her skin itchy and dry. Many like Poorva are clueless about what will work for them.

Statistics show that the market sales of fairness creams and anti-ageing creams are at an all time high. And everyone from teenagers to menopausal women are tempted to try new things. But we must know ‘what’ exactly that cream or lotion contains, for sometimes these products can backfire, too.

Miracle creams are nothing but passing fads, says Dr L K Desai, dermatologist, Inlaks Budhrani Hospital. “Since for any product to show anti-ageing effects it takes at least two months, do not fall prey to marketing gimmicks promising you a wonder in 15 days. Another misconception is that if it’s expensive, then it’s good. A Rs 20 cream too has similar ingredients that a Rs 999 one has, so don’t fall for the price. One more thing one needs to keep in mind is that most creams have active molecules of co-enzyme Q10, or vitamin C, or aloe vera, or arbutin, licorice and so on, but there is no guarantee that these will be absorbed by the skin. Instead of fancy products, go for mild moisturisers and sunscreen.”

Also, consider your skin-type before buying any product. For example, oily skin will produce more pimples if you use a cream-based product. Instead, use lotions, gels and serums. If you have dry skin, avoid gels and opt for creams. Picking up a wrong product can also have adverse effects like hyper-pigmentation. For sensitive skin, remember, always consult a dermatologist.

And it’s not just creams one should be careful about, facial cleansers should also be carefully chosen. “It’s a myth that all face washes are safe for the skin. They can also be as alkaline as soaps, so always check the PH balance (ph 5.5 is ideal for all skin types). And for oily skin, a face wash with salicylic acid is best suited.”

And before buying the product, you must take into account the problems you need to address. For instance, if you have dark circles, puffy eyes, fine lines, then look for eye creams aimed specifically against stress and pollution. Facial moisturisers are neither intended nor recommended for the area around eyes, because the ingredients are too strong.

Organic skin care products are in vogue today. The idea is to move away from anything synthetic. The best way to ensure that you buy genuine organic products is to look for the seal of organic certification from a reputable organisation that certifies the product is free of chemicals, antibiotics, growth hormones and so on. Beware of the word ‘natural’ because it could mean ingredients that are derived from natural sources as opposed to those that are purely natural. Substances derived from natural ingredients may be treated with synthetic agents to make them more suitable for use.

And remember good skin care is a combination of the right food, a sufficient amount of exercise, and good hygiene. Cosmetics and other skincare products only augment these basic measures to protect and pamper your skin.