Before You Buy That Product...

With so many skin care brands available, it can be slightly overwhelming trying to find THE ONE just for you. Not everyone is going to lose their minds with excitement at the thought of getting great products. But I do! I went through almost every product available at Clicks (I'm convinced) in the space of 2 years, and I was disappointed over and over and over and over again. But I'm older and wiser now. Even if only slightly. Hmmm.

I would recommend professional skin care products that one can only purchase from trained professionals at salons, spas, etc over something you can just get at PnP or Clicks, that you think is what you need. Not only because I am a skin care therapist, but also because before I was a trained professional, I was lost and desperate for clear, healthy skin. I suffered from acne. And couldn't afford to go to a dermatologist and buy high-end cosmeceuticals or whatever. Yes, I called it whatever...back then...when I was inexperienced. Problem is, there's no-one at your local Clicks, PnP, etc to analyse your skin and guide you from there. You know you have oily skin, so why wouldn't Product X (available at your local PnP), which is for oily skin types, work for you? Because Product X, perhaps, did not take into consideration your skin condition. You could have oily but dehydrated skin, or oily but sensitive skin. What then? What if Product X manufacturers did not take that into consideration? Use it anyway and hope for the best? Hope that it doesn't worsen your dehydration or sensitivity? Waste of time and money. Having said that, I also understand that not everyone can afford most professional products. Note that not all are as expensive as you may assume. Either way, you HAVE TO know what you're getting into. More importantly, KNOW your skin and know what you want for your skin. A skincare consultant or therapist can help with this.

If you're lucky enough to go for regular facials, click here for advice about taking advantage and making the best of your facial before you purchase products.

For everyone else, that may not be so lucky... I feel your pain.


Many salons/spas offer free skin analyses and/or consultation, so enquire at one. You've got nothing to lose. An independent consultant, however, may charge a fee...but there'll be less (if any) pressure to book a facial and/or buy products from him/her, as he/she may not offer physical treatments and retail products.

Once your skin analysis is complete, you should know your skin type, skin condition and what your skin needs, at least.

He/She will then (most probably) recommend an entire range of products that he/she thinks you need to improve/maintain your skin health or condition. He/She should provide you with information about it: when and how much to use, for how long, etc. If you're not sure about how the products can benefit you, ASK. If you're still unsure after he/she has explained, ask again and be specific. If you're using an eye cream, and the consultant suggests you use an eye gel instead, or in conjunction with your eye cream, ask her why she thinks it's better for YOU to use an eye gel. If you're not comfortable with her explanations or answers, ask her to write down her recommendations, and do some research. If the consultant isn't sure about something and admits this to you, and then makes an effort to ask another therapist, the manager, or checks the product packaging, or her training manual, be grateful. Don't instantly judge him/her, and assume he/she doesn't know what he/she is doing. Therapists can easily make mistakes and not rectify them because they're embarrassed or afraid of judgement, so appreciate when they make a little extra effort. Also, may products are very similar, so best to have the RIGHT one.

If you cannot afford the home care products, simply let your consultant know and ask if he/she can recommend something else within your budget. 

If you have home care products and take good care of your skin, let your consultant know that you already have xyz products (that may have done nothing for you) and ask if you're using them correctly. If possible, take your current products along to your consultation. That way, the consultant can see what you've got and should be able to help you fill the gaps in your regime or correct it. For example, you may use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer only, but they may be in conflict with each other and therefore, you're not getting (good) results. Remember sunscreen is SUPER IMPORTANT! It should always be included. Yes, YOU HAVE TO!

You should (at least) know this before you purchase:

1. Why THAT product (or those products).
2. When to use the product
3. How often to use it e.g. morning and night, weekly, 2x weekly, etc
4. How to use/apply/remove it
5. When it expires, or how to know when it expires. Most packaging should tell you when, after opening, it should be chucked away.

Products "not working"?
Once the products have been purchased and you're not happy with it, call the consultant and let him/her know. If you've had an obvious reaction, you can call, but I urge you to go back, so that the consultant can see the reaction and determine the cause. Take your products with you, so he/she can check it, to make sure it's not expired, and that it doesn't look/smell funny. If the problem is with the actual product you have, return it to the place of purchase. They should replace your products or refund you.

The consultant should be able to suggest a solution to your now "broken-out" skin. You may have to get additional, milder,  products to help with this. Damage control.

If your product is not the cause and the consultant is not sure, and had never seen or had complaints about a reaction like yours, go to a dermatologist.

If the consultant was unable to solve the problem, and hasn't followed up within a week since you informed him/her about your reaction, find a new one. Email me. Good consultants will make an effort to help you as much as they can, and even if they cannot remedy the situation themselves, they should follow-up and get your feedback. This is important for the relationship between you and your consultant as well as for future reference, should someone else have a similar reaction.

Please, note that if you had a minimal to non-existent skin care routine before purchasing the products, that your skin may simply be adjusting. Sometimes, one may have underlying congestion due to poor skin care and poor lifestyle habits, so the products often bring all impurities to the surface before clearing them. Many professional products work at a deeper level. Have patience. This sort of reaction should clear within 4 weeks.

Having said that, don't expect results/improvement after using the products for a week. Many products will take approximately a month of continual use before you start seeing the results. This is because many (mainly professional and cosmeceutical/dermaceutical) products aim to work on a deeper level and affect your skin positively, from a cellular level.

Be patient and be gentle with your face.

Miss B