Not at all.

Now it may be true that the health and cosmetic industries are more susceptible than most to the temptation to prey on the vanity and gullibility of their customers in the search for a buck.  But there are still reputable companies and products out there, and armed with a little knowledge and a healthy dose of scepticism it’s perfectly possible to find a suitable and helpful skin cream at a price to suit your budget.

When considering the purchase of any health or cosmetic product, safety first must be the mantra, so the first thing to do is to eliminate from your search any products which are not principally derived from natural ingredients.  This is not to say that laboratory manufactured chemicals cannot be effective, but that their use carries with it the risk of aggravating the skin, a highly sensitive organ.  No two individuals have identical skin, so the only certain way to gauge the effect of a particular product is to test it.  Not only is this time-consuming and potentially risky, but it may also of course be expensive.  For safety, it is therefore best to stick with the natural preparations as far as possible; and these are commonly found to be at least as effective as those heavily–hyped “scientific breakthrough” type manufactures which periodically appear on the market.

It’s most important to take your time and not be swayed by all the hype that’s out there.  Rarely if ever, in the fields of health, beauty or anti aging skin creams do we find such things as miracle cures.  Embark on a program of vitamin and mineral supplementation, start taking a new herbal remedy, or begin an exercise regime, and results will take time.   Skin creams are no different, and you have to hope that the one you choose will become a faithful friend over many years.  It’s therefore well worth taking a little trouble with your research; and in the first place becoming aware of your own skin type.  Take advice from a practitioner if you’re unsure, because the needs of dry, oily or unusually sensitive skin may be very different in terms of the types of product which may be helpful.

Nor is it sufficient just to decide on the right product and then “slap it on” and hope for the best.  Good skin care, like the care of any other of the body’s organs, depends on a combination of nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep and rest, as well as more specific care.  A daily routine of cleansing, moisturising, stretching and exfoliating will help ensure that the money spent on your skin cream is not money wasted.

The sensible, regular use of a proprietary product, based on natural ingredients, and appropriate for your skin type, may then be a useful and valuable long-term addition to your health and beauty regime, yielding genuine (though not miraculous) improvements in your appearance and confidence.