What to avoid when recommending the perfect product to a client is just as important as what to look for in the product. These are a few of the reddest red flags:

  • Sensitive skin. Avoid products with any type of fragrance. If it doesn't say "fragrance-free" on the label, check the ingredients. Keep in mind that there is a big difference between "fragrance- free" and "unscented." Unscented products still contain ingredients and fragrances that mask odors, and these ingredients can potentially irritate the skin.
  • Oily skin. Contrary to popular belief, people with oily skin should not stock up on toners. Many clients with the problem of oily skin tend to overshoot by loading on the toner and, consequently, they dry out their skin. When this happens, the oil glands actually step up their oil production, and the client ends up with oilier skin!
  • Acne-prone skin. Clients with acne-prone skin should steer away from products that contain oil as well as petrolatum (Vaseline). These ingredients will only clog the pores even more. People prone to acne also should stay out of the sun and away from tanning beds. There is a common misconception that the sun helps to dry out and clear up the skin. It may look like that temporarily, but in the long run the sun will thicken the skin and further block the pores, making acne worse.

No matter what type of skin your clients have, you should stay away from recommending products that have an ingredient list a mile long. The more ingredients a product has, the greater the chance that the client will have a reaction to at least one of them.

Dr. David Bank is founder and director of the Center for Dermatology in New York City.

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