Serums, cleansers, toners, night creams – the choice can be overwhelming. When every product positions itself as ground-breaking and life-changing, it’s hard tell the good from the bad and the useful from the useless. Fear not, celebrity skincare therapist and Renu28 ambassador, Ingrid Seaburn, shares what to look for when you’re wandering down the beauty aisles.

#1 Check the ingredients list
“Most products are required to list the ingredients on the label in order of the amount added to the formula,” explains Seaburn. Meaning if you’re looking for a product with a high percentage of a certain active ingredient, make sure it is listed at the top. “Many products may claim they have a certain active but in actual fact the amount in the bottle is barely enough to make a change in your skin.”

There are also some ingredients you should be wary of, says Seaburn. If your skin is prone to clogged pores, avoid anything with mineral oil. Also, “be wary of a mountain of parabens as these can cause irritation, giving skin a red appearance.”

#2 A higher price doesn’t always mean a better product
“Many high-end products look good, smell good and can feel wonderful on your skin but the expensive price does not always mean quality,” warns Seaburn, who explains that products can be more expensive based purely on marketing and packaging costs rather than effectiveness. It’s about deciding what you want from your skincare regimen and if it’s just to feel good on your skin, then go for it. If you have a particular goal in mind, however, it’s worth doing you research.

#3 Splash out on age-defying products
Let’s face it, a high-end night cream alone can add up to hundreds of dollars. If your funds are limited, it’s good to know when to splash out and when to save. “You can spend less money on a cleanser as long as it works for your skin type,” advises Seaburn. “A cleanser shouldn’t dry you out or leave skin oily. It should just feel like it’s doing the simple job of cleaning.” Seaburn believes the same principle applies to moisturisers. “A cheaper natural moisturiser with a base of hyaluronic acid [a water-retaining molecule that occurs naturally in the skin] will do just fine.”

For her, it’s the hard-hitting age-defying products like serums and boosters that are worth the investment, because these tend to be higher in active ingredients than run-of-the-mill creams. Look for things like retinol (a derivative of vitamin A), vitamin C and peptides, which build and stimulate collagen strength. “These are the things that’ll have your skin acting young again,” she says.