Five Things to Keep in Mind When Sampling Skin Care Products

If you’re like most skin care product lovers, then you probably love samples. Not only are skin care product samples a useful way to keep smaller sizes of your favorite products in handy places, they’re also a great way to discover new products. From store counters to sampling services, it’s easy to acquire a large collection of skin care samples before you even realize it. If you’re a skin care sample junkie though, here are some things to keep in mind!

You Won’t Always Have Enough Product to See Results
A typical skin care product sample is small enough to be a travel-sized skin care product. We all know that airline-sized travel products are individual-use amounts. In some cases, a smaller product is more than enough for you to uncover if you love the product or not. For example, you don’t need a full-size container of skin cleanser to know if you love the cleanser or not. But for skin care treatment products, your sample size may truly not be enough to determine if the product works. Acne treatment products may take weeks of acne-purging before they clear your skin, but a one-week sample of an acne product may have you making a decision just at the point where your skin is getting worse. Remember when using samples that not all skin products can be easily sampled in small amounts!

Skin Care Products Have Expiration Dates
It’s not uncommon to find a box, plastic container or shelf in a bathroom where dozens of skin care samples live! Because most people collect skin care and beauty samples whenever possible, it’s also not uncommon to have a “treat pile” where those samples live. And sometimes they live there for a long time before they’re finally used. Always remember that skin care products are health products and some of them come with expiration dates. Before you use a skin care or beauty sample that’s been stashed in your bathroom for months, check and make sure that there isn’t an expiration date on it that’s passed by or overdue.

Always Patch Test New Products!
Even in small sample amounts, anything that you put on your skin can cause a reaction. Before you apply a skin care sample liberally on your face or body, use a small amount on an area of skin that isn’t as visible. The skin on your wrists is some of the most sensitive skin on your body and also not visible to the naked eye if you have long sleeves on. That makes it a great place to test-patch skin care and topical beauty products before you use them on more visible areas.

Recommended Product: Murad Recovery Treatment Gel

If you do accidentally create irritation on your skin from a skin care sample that caused a reaction, soothe discomfort and minimize redness with this calming gel.

Customer Review
“I use this product when my skin seems sensitive. Calms the skin and feels great!” Melly, Arizona

Consistency is Still Key
Even if you’re using skin care samples as your primary way of stocking your skin care regimen, consistency is still key. You still need to cleanse, treat and hydrate twice per day. You also need to make sure that you’re incorporating eye creams and eye care as well as daily sun protection. You may be using skin care samples of the best products in the world, but if you’re not using them properly and with other products that complement them, you won’t see glowing results.

Samples are a great way to explore skin care products and find the best ones for you, but you still need a plan and a responsible skin care regimen. Where do you start? Begin with sample-sized and travel-sized Murad products, of course!