While we often gift things that we personally use and enjoy, this can be tricky when it comes to skin-care products, since you may not know your friend's exact skin type and needs. If you want to give this type of gift, just be sure to follow the helpful guidelines below before making any purchases.
Take Your Friend's Skin Type Into Consideration
Every person's skin is unique, so it's important to separate what you personally use and love with what your friend's skin really needs. How old is your friend? Do you recall her complaining about conditions such as blemishes, dark circles, or brown spots? How about oil production? Is it a problem? Is her skin shiny with large pores, or is it flaky? Give considerable thought to conversations about skin care that you may have had in the past. This could help you determine what her skin needs.
Choose Simple Products
This is especially important if you are not 100% sure of your friend's skin type, since products in this category are the least likely to cause problems. A cleanser is usually a safe bet simply because you apply it and rinse it right off; therefore, the chance of someone experiencing a negative reaction is reduced significantly as compared to products that are left on the skin for hours at a time.
If you decide on a cleanser, always choose low-foaming cleansing gelsthat are sulfate-free, as these will be the most gentle, especially for sensitive skin.
A facial scrub can also be a good purchase, as it's another product that is rinsed right off. Be sure to avoid scrubs with plastic beads, as they have been reported to slip through water treatment plants and negatively affect marine life. Instead, use jojoba beads, as they are natural and perfectly round, so they won't scratch the skin and cause redness.
An eye cream may also be a good choice, since most skin types respond favorably to these formulas, as long as they do not contain any artificial fragrances or perfumes. If you're unsure whether or not your friend has sensitive skin, you should probably choose one formulated for sensitive eyes to be on the safe side.
Recommend Your Friend Perform A Patch Test To Ensure Compatibility
This is important anytime you're trying a new product. No matter what type of skin you have, it's impossible to truly predict how your skin will respond to a product, and even if you swear by a particular brand, you can't be sure that your pal's skin will take to it in the same manner. So, to make sure that the new product you bought doesn't cause her to get irritated or red, have her do a patch test. She can simply use the product as directed, on just a small area of the face; it's best to wait 24 hours to see if a reaction occurs.
Save The Receipts Or Get A Gift Receipt
Before you make any purchasing decisions, familiarize yourself with the company's return policy, so you know how it will be handled if you (or your friend) need to make a return.
When In Doubt, Give A Gift Card
This may actually be the best option, as it will give your friend an opportunity to consult with a professional to ensure she is buying the right products for her skin. Giving a gift certificate for a facial at a spa or skin-care clinic is also a great skin-care gift idea. That way, she can talk one-on-one with the aesthetician to hopefully gain a better understanding of her skin, and the best products to use on it.
When it comes to our faces, we don’t rely on just anyone to tell us what our skin needs to get that ever-elusive glow. Instead, we turn to skin-care veteran (and celebrity fave!) Renée Rouleau, who knows it takes more than the right products to get radiant.
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