Easy Wins: Skip the cosmetics counter and put your skin care in charge of your doctor | life and Style

FFrom anti-aging diamonds to topical collagen, I’ve witnessed plenty of outlandish claims and outrageous price tags over a decade of diving in and out of beauty writing. I have also answered many questions from friends, family and co-workers. Well, just one question over and over: “What works?”

While there are certainly those who treat skincare as a hobby, most people just want something that delivers results, ideally at an affordable price and without having to acquire a degree in organic chemistry to refine the messaging on the packaging.

When it comes to skincare staples like cleansers and moisturizers, pretty much everything on the market will cleanse your face or leave it feeling dewy for a while, so finding something that works depends a lot on of personal preferences on the price; odor (or lack thereof); your subjective experience of texture; and how you would like to use the product (a make-up remover that you use in the shower is not going to make sense for someone who showers at dawn).

But for products that address specific issues like acne, redness and rosacea, dryness, and signs of aging like fine lines and sun spots, Australia has a regulatory framework to ensure that some skin care products of the skin keep their promises. While cosmetic products in Australia are tested for safety but not efficacy, if your skincare is classified as a registered drug, there must be evidence that it works.

Some therapeutic skin care products are only available by prescription, while others are sold without a prescription. Chances are good that you’re already using at least one: sunscreen, which is regulated by the Administration of Therapeutic Goods if it has an SPF of 15 or higher. And if you’re not wearing sunscreen but are vaguely interested in taking care of your skin, change it immediately: it’s the lowest fruit on the tree.

Now that we’ve all slipped, slipped, and slapped, let’s move on. Whether you’re worried about pimples, rosacea, or the general appearance of your skin, look for products that are registered as medicines on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. These are usually much cheaper than luxury skin care products.

While expensive, booking an appointment with a dermatologist will allow you to devise an effective and active skincare plan that suits your needs (just don’t get sold on expensive cosmeceuticals that aren’t actually drugs). There are also a growing number of services offering skin care consultations online and through telehealth that will provide you with a personalized set of products by prescription only. But your first port of call should be your GP, who may well be able to offer you tips, advice and even scripts.

This is not to say that skin care products that are not registered as drugs don’t work, just that they don’t. have to work. Talking to a doctor takes a bit more effort than showing up at the cosmetics counter and asking “what’s good,” but it’s more likely to deliver results, ultimately saving you time (on research) and money (on creams). elegant they are not). it does not work).