How To Avoid Money Wasters On Skin Care

For many women, healthier skin is a desire, but getting that without spending a fortune can be quite challenging.

A local cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Dominic Brandy, says you have to be careful because they will use catch words to draw you in.

Tammy Jarosinski is a mom and is often confused by the skin care aisle.

"I don't buy them at all because I don't know which ones to get," she said.

Many products claim to repair or erase wrinkles.

But how do you know which ones do what they claim?

Dr. Brandy says often times the answer can be found on the ingredient list.

Dr. Brandy agreed to meet us at a North Hills Target store.

We toured the beauty product aisle and he helped us find the best deals!

He first checks out the Oil of Olay product, Pro X.

He points out the first four active ingredients are all sunscreens.

He says a good sunscreen and moisturizer would give us very similar results.

Then we check out the store brand that is located right beside another Oil of Olay product.

"These two have exactly the same thing in them," he said. This discovery saved us $6!

Then we move onto the facial peels.

"It says it can deliver the results of the 25-30% glycolic peel," said Dr. Brandy, "In this situation I would have a hard time believing that at these strengths."

Dr. Brandy says claiming these results is an exaggeration.

Five Steps To Healthier Skin

Then we find the 20 minute eye lift that promises wrinkle free eyes!

"I just bought this one and wanted to try it at home," he said, "The thing about this is that it is a patch so you get a good occlusion and its retinol."

What about the collagen filler products?

Dr. Brandy gives us an interesting explanation as to why this one won't work. "Hyaluronic acid cannot penetrate the skin. The molecule is too big," he said, "Its like insulin, if it could penetrate skin people would rub it on not inject it." He says at his practice they inject that ingredient into patients' lips. He says this product cannot do what it claims and it is mainly made up of moisturizers.

Tammy is specifically having a hard time finding a cream to get rid of under eye circles.

"It depends what is causing it," said Dr. Brandy, "For instance the Regenerist product with Niacinamide in it would be helpful."

There are other ingredients you should look out for.

"There have been several studies on Retinol, there in no question that it increases collagen in the skin," he said.

Dr. Brandy says anything will retinol will be beneficial for you.

And there is a newer Pentapeptide that has five amino acids that are connected together.

Some of the recent studies show that it is as good as retinol.

And, according to Dr. Brandy Vitamin E and Vitamin C are good. They are going to protect you from the ultraviolet radiation.

Dr. Brandy says there are five things you can do to have better skin for very little money.

Make sure that you are eating a proper diet. Do not smoke or layout in the sun. Use sunscreen everyday. And take a multi vitamin.

When it comes to your sunscreen, there are two ingredients that are very important: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Dr. Brandy says OTC products do contain ingredients that are effective in preventing and improving the signs of aging. However, often the level of the active ingredients are small or unknown. Therefore it is difficult to determine how effective these products will be in the long run.

Dr. Brandy's list of active ingredients to look for in OTC products:

o Renoids (a potent form of vitamin A)

o Retinol is a topical ingredient proven to promote collagen production and plump out skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and color, and reduces mottled patches (hyperpigmentation) on the skin.

o Vitamin C

o Evidence suggests that the antioxidants found in vitamin C may stimulate the production of collagen and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.

o Tocopherol (a potent form of vitamin E)

o Provides antioxidant protection. Helps reduce effects of sun damage, protects against environmental damage caused by free radicals.

o Alpha and beta hydroxyl acids

o Glycolic Acid

o Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and leave skin smoother, softer, and more radiant.

o AHAs are used to exfoliate the skin, reducing fine lines, age spots, acne scars, and irregular pigmentation.

o Salicylic Acid

o Salicylic acid is used in many over-the-counter and prescription products to treat acne. It penetrates pores and reduces blackheads and whiteheads.

o salicylic acid exfoliates the skin, which can reduce signs of aging.

o Pentapeptides

o Amino acids that may help increase collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

o Niacinamide

o Has shown to help protect and repair the skin from sun damage