We are fortunate to live in a time when we, the consumer, have as many choices for beauty products as we can ever want in a lifetime. There are new companies that appear on the market, in stores and local pop-ups, selling the newest concoction of oils and lotions, all the time. While this is an awesome opportunity to find the right product for your skin needs, it is also important that we do a little research before deciding to try a new product or buy from an unknown company.

            We all have that go-to brand that we trust for our cosmetic and skincare needs. That favorite mascara, the lotion you’ve used for years, the product you must have as soon as you run out of it. Chances are, that brand has been on the market for some time, and with good cause; they have a reputation that shows they care about the products they are putting out on the shelves for their customers. That’s not to say that a homemade soap at your local craft fair isn’t trustworthy (my mom is a sucker for those home crafted items), but you really have no guarantee or background knowledge to go by. I would be hesitant to buy a product with no prior knowledge of the manufacturer. When we choose our skincare products, we want to know that the company stands behind their products and uses safe practices in their production and research.

            Equibal Labs is a company that has been in the business for four decades, and stands behind every product they develop. Their reputation in the beauty industry is unparalleled, giving customers the peace of mind that they are choosing a product that is backed by research and reputation.

            Additionally, checking the shelf-life of your products, from cosmetics to soaps and lotions, is important. This is particularly important to note with products, such as sunscreens, because the active ingredients could be expired. In that case, you aren’t going to have the same effectiveness as you normally would. Most cosmetics, while they don’t have a specific expiration date, should still be changed every couple of months, to prevent the growth of bacteria and keep the products as fresh as possible on your skin. If you are using a product that contains an “active ingredient”, make sure you look for an expiration date to ensure that you have the best results possible.

           Knowing what your products’ ingredients derive from, if they are natural or chemical-based, is just as important as knowing about the company that you’re buying them from. Before choosing a product for your skincare or beauty routine, do a little research into the company and the ingredients to make sure you have the best experience for your money. 

By: Sara Goodwin