We all struggle with choosing the right skincare product. Most of us use over-the-counter products, without even reading the label. Ignore us all you want, but we even you know it’s a very bad habit to do so.

It’s important to have realistic expectations and unless it’s harming your skin at the testing stage, wait and see if a product works for you. But if you always have a massive problem when deciding on a product, here are a few pointers by Dr Aarushi Passi Bhandari, cosmetic dermatologist, SENS Anti-Ageing/ Wellness Clinic, Delhi that you should keep in mind.

How to choose face wash and shampoo: Ensure that they are sulfate free. Look for sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium laureth sulfate in the label and avoid it. They strip the skin and the scalp off the essential oils and natural moisturising factors leading to dry stretchy skin and dryness of hair. Also, look out for paraben-free products like methyl paraben and propyl paraben as they are toxic for the body when used on a long-term basis.

Under-eye creams: Heavy, thick or greasy creams tend to clog the pores and give rise to pearly whitehead like bumps on the under eyes called ‘Milias’. It’s better to avoid it. Also, people with sensitive skin must avoid retinol based under-eye cream as it might cause redness, burning sensation or sun sensitivity if used in heavy quantity. For under-eye darkness, first, it’s important to find the right cause behind it; which might be hollowness/loss of volume under eyes or poor oxygen flow. In this case, Vitamin K oxide creams are the best.

Keep these important pointers in mind as well:

* It is important to have realistic expectations while using anti-ageing products. Creams can’t give one a face lift. They work modestly to rejuvenate your skin as a whole and soften the wrinkles for an overall pleasant and healthy look.

* It’s always better to select one product and stick to it for a while before switching on to other products or using multiple products simultaneously as this might irritate or sensitise your skin.