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Experts Clear Up The Confusion Surrounding Skin Care Products

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Shopping for skin care products can be a confusing task for some people.

The right product with the right ingredients can really make a difference and leave you with better looking skin, CBS 2's Kristine Johnson reported.

"There are so many products that promise certain things. You just don't know what to look for," one shopper said.

Medical experts concurred.

"It can be very overwhelming when you're walking down the drugstore aisle and there are rows and rows of products," said, board certified dermatologist, Dana Stern.

To help cut through the confusion skin care experts pointed out five ingredients that should be on everyone's shopping list.

"Everyone should be incorporating either an alphahydroxy acid or a betahydroxy acid. These are called chemical exfoliators," Dr. Stern explained, "They're extremely effective, they're immediate, and you can buy these over the counter. They're very affordable."

Dr. David Bank, the director of the Center For Dermatology, offered his own suggestions.

"Retinol or Vitamin A. that has been around a long time, there's science behind it and the Retinol family helps to even out the color, tone, texture, stimulate new collagen to grow and reverse sun damage," Dr. Bank explained.

Dr. Bank also suggested that everybody wear sunscreen and use collagen stimulating peptides.

These ingredients can all be found in affordable products and experts stressed that a higher price does not always mean a higher quality product.

"Paying more does not necessarily translate to getting a better quality," Dr. bank said.

"The key is really reading the label to make sure your target ingredient is high up on the list," Dr. Stern said.

Both experts agreed that everyone's skin is different and that customers should consult a doctor before choosing a skin care product.

"Don't be afraid to bring in your products to your dermatologists office. I have patients that bring in bags of products," Dr. Stern said.

Dr. Bank also suggested waiting 8 to 12 weeks to see if a product is effective.

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