Do Facial Skin Care Products Really Work?

Skin care products have been growing in popularity steadily over the years, and with advances in technology finding their way in to jars of face cream it seems there are now creams that can do pretty much anything from turning back the years to giving you a sunkissed glow. The problem with so many facial skin care products and so many claims is knowing which ones actually do what they say on the tin. Facial skin care products tend to make the biggest claims as everyone wants to look younger, healthier and like they actually manage 9 hours deep sleep every night.

There was once a day when facial skin care meant giving your face a splash with cold water, a good rub with a towel and that was that. However, things have moved on considerably since then, and skin care regimes can involved all manner of lotions and potions that promise to make you look a million dollars (and sometimes cost not much less!).

The basics of a good facial skin care regime should really be cleanse, tone, moisturise. Nothing more, nothing less, but there are so many products around it is difficult not to try at least a few. Our skin does need cleaning on a daily basis, dust and dirt is always going to be attracted to skin, especially on hot days and leaving it to clog pores could lead to spots. Soap isn't the best thing to wash your face with as it will strip the skin of all it's natural oils, leaving it dry and feeling tight, so face washes are a good idea. They are designed to match the PH level of your skin better, meaning they won't strip the oils completely. Some are harsher than others, depending on your skin type and oil levels, so be sure to start with a gentle cleanser and move to a stronger one if you feel you need to. There are now also face wipes, that do the same thing as a face wash, just without the water - in fact, many face wipes now do all three, cleanse tone and moisturise and even take off make-up. They are a quick easy way to keep your skin clean.

Toning the skin is something that I have never found necessary, however others swear by it as it closes the pores after cleaning and rebalances the skin. Toner is one skin care product that I think is purely a personal choice, but definitely not necessary. There are some great products that cleanse and tone in one step, so if you feel you would like to tone but don't have the time, this may be ideal for you.

Moisturiser for your skinis the last step, and is very important, especially in the mornings. You should try and ensure your facial moisturiser has an SPF of around15, to give your skin some protection from UV rays, remember even if it is an ovecast day, the sun is still shining behind the clouds and there are still skin-damaging rays getting through.

Now this is where products get a bit silly, with so many creams claiming so many different things. Anti-aging creams are very popular, and can be very effective in slowing down the aging process, especially with the use of sunscreen and some gentle skin refining ingredients such as AHA's. It is the products that claim to be able to reverse the signs of aging, or get rid of wrinkles that are the most dubious on the market. It is very difficult to get rid of wrinkles without surgery because the skin has lost it's deep elasticity and suppleness. While there are creams that work wonders at plumping the skin out, their effects will most probably only last as long as you use the cream. There are some serums that have come onto the market, that are admittedly groud breaking in that they can help reduce the visible signs of sun damage and give the skin a much fresher looking appearance, but again, this may only be the case while the product is being used, for me the jury is still out.

I think the key to finding skincare products that actually work is being realistic in your expectations of them. No cream is going to be able to turn back the clock 10 years, and no face wash is going to miraculously clear up spots overnight. It is all about finding the right combination of products for your skin and using them regularly. And remember, just because a product is expensive and comes beautifully packaged, doesn't mean it is better than the simple jar of cream that costs a tenth of the price.