An unknown student once wrote on his desk, “You can’t face your problem if your problem is your face”. Though intended only for humor, this curious statement may mean a lot to those who are bothered by imperfections on their faces especially their skin. Often, people complain about having pimples, wrinkles or blemishes and are baffled with what to do about it. Advertisements seen on television, newspapers, posters and billboards show various products claiming to be the miracle solution for all skin problems. People who model these products highly entice the ordinary buyer to believe in their statements. It is not safe, however, just to follow blindly. When it comes to skin problems and treatments, it is best to understand the underlying causes or processes that are involved and how it is related in one’s situation.

A good starting point when it comes to identifying the right skin care treatment to be used is to determine the type of skin one has. Classification of types of skin range from dry skin to oily skin. Each type may then have a corresponding skin problem to address. It is important to take note of the type of skin one has since skin care products are also designed in relation to the common skin types of consumers.

For people who have dry skin, the most common problems to be expected is premature skin aging and appearance of wrinkles. Dry skin results from lack of moisture and is commonly experienced during cold season. To address this problem, one can make use of moisturizers available in the market. It is better to make use of those products that are fragrance-free and has less amount of preservatives used to limit the chemical content that might cause irritation. Note that humectants and emollients are contained in moisturizers and these components are responsible for absorbing water to increase the moisture of the skin and replacing lipids. Moisturizers also come in two kinds, those that are oil-based and those that are water-based. People with oily skin may still opt to make use of moisturizers during cold season and it is better for them to choose the water-based kind.

On the other hand, the ones with oily skin usually have to worry about having pimples, blackheads and blemishes. This skin type is brought about by overactive sebaceous glands which may be a consequence of heredity, diet, humidity or cosmetics used. In terms of skin care products, people with this skin type must carefully choose those that are oil-free or are not oil-based. Regular cleansing is necessary to decrease the appearance of greasiness but note that the cleanser used should be alcohol-free and soap-free if possible. It is also better to make use of lukewarm water when cleansing since it will help dissolve oil faster. It is not advisable to use moisturizers unless the skin is becoming dry due to changes in season or temperature. In cases where pimples come about as a consequence of this skin type, common treatments for such are those products containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. When cases are severe such those of people with acne, it is better to consult a dermatologist first before deciding upon what products to use as treatment. Blemishes usually result from having pimples or acne and may be treated through exfoliation. However, one should be careful in using products for skin exfoliation because some may be too harsh for the skin and cause further complications.

Skin care treatment, therefore, is not just blindly following what the advertisers of skin care products claim. Doing this might just be of minimal help in solving the problem, if not at all. Worse, this might cause further complications if wrong products are used. With regards to matters such these, it is really important to determine first the type of skin a person has. Next is to know the appropriate product to be used relative to one’s skin type. Taking note of the components, substances or chemicals contained in skin care products will also help avoid further complications or irritations and maximize the treatment’s effectiveness.