SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

According to market research- er Euromonitor International, skin care is expected to post record-breaking sales and growth in the coming years — an estimated $2.6 billion by 2020. But while skin care products certainly make us feel more polished and pretty, are they worth the hefty price tag ?

Dr. Julia Carroll, a board cer- tified dermatologist, owner of Compass Dermatology and a lecturer at the University of Toronto, separates the helpful from the hype.

Free: Stay out of the sun. “It’s the No. 1 controllable cause of skin aging,” Carroll says. So wear that hat. But don’t bother swigging litres of water hoping the hydration will plump up your skin. There’s scant evidence it works.

$20 or less: If you’re on a budget and can spend only $20 or less on skin care, Carroll has a super product for you: Vaseline. At only 98 cents per 100 grams at Walmart, the petroleum jelly product is great for dry patches, the under eye area and even doubles as a lip gloss. It doesn’t irritate the skin or make you break out, either. “It’s one of the most inert products that we have,” she says. “Vaseline is sort of the gold standard that other things are tested against.”

Buy inexpensive cleanser, too. They hardly touch your skin before being washed off anyway. Save your money for something that actually stays put.

And if you want something strong to help eradicate acne and wrinkles, a prescription for Retin-A, a retinol medication, means you pay very little (or nothing if you’re under 25) with good company or government

insurance.

Up to $75: Look for dermatologist-tested skin care products that offer active ingredients such as vitamin C (look for L-ascorbic acid), retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids. Just remember, these are not quick fixes and need to be used for weeks or even months before you see any real results.

And don’t forget sunscreen. Great ones can be had in the $20$25 range.