Many have embraced the trend of maintaining healthy skin over the past decade. New skincare products are being developed and tested for a wider market to various different skin types in a population to make them more accessible to everyone.

“I have combination skin, so I look for ingredients to make sure there’s nothing harmful,” senior Esha Sharma said. “Then I just see if it works with my skin.”

According to Automat, skincare products have been purchased at a 13% increased rate since last year. However, with all the frenzy surrounding taking care of one’s skin, false information circulating online is easy to come across and hard to differentiate from facts. 

“Today’s youth are very savvy, but they think that people on the internet are experts,” cosmetology teacher Wayne White said. “Here’s a hint: If they are doing their own skin, they are an influencer. If they are doing it on someone, they most likely are a professional.”

Modern-day influencers are most commonly found to give subjective advice without disclaimers about possible side effects, which could end disastrously for someone’s skin if they have a different skin type.

“Most of these celebrities are influencers who are paid by the company and may not always use these products on a daily basis,” White said. “Everybody is different and should get a consultation to get a correct diagnosis of their skin type.”

According to WebMD, there are four main skin types: normal, combination, dry and oily. All skin types require unique care. According to skincare experts, people must know their own skin type before buying into costly products that may not suit their skin.

“Most people misdiagnose their skin type,” White said. “Those with oily skin should use products containing alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid or salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid, all which help control excess sebum production.”

According to White, those with dry skin should look for products containing shea butter and lactic acid. For those with sensitive skin, products containing aloe vera, oatmeal, shea butter, niacinamide and retinol serve as good moisturizers and prevent breakouts. Combination skin entails characteristics of the three skin types mentioned above, so treatments should be a blend of those ingredients. 

There are many therapeutic benefits of taking care of one’s skin. According to Huffpost, research shows that maintaining a routine like skincare helps ease stress, improves confidence and can lead to an overall more healthy lifestyle. 

“Doing my skincare routine is super relaxing and a nice end to my day,” Sharma said. “It’s a satisfying process, and doing it with friends makes it that much more fun.”