How to Compare Skincare Products Before Buying

To compare skincare products, look past the marketing and check four things: the ingredient list, the claims and whether they mean anything, the price per milliliter or ounce, and the retailer’s return policy. Matching the product to your skin type and goal matters more than the brand name or the price tag.

1. Start with your goal

Decide what you want the product to do before comparing options: hydrate, protect from the sun, calm redness, target dark spots, reduce oil. A clear goal narrows the field quickly. If you are just starting out, read our beginner skincare routine first.

2. Read the ingredient list

• In both the US and Canada, cosmetics list ingredients in descending order of quantity, with the exception that ingredients present at very low concentrations may be listed in any order at the end.
• If the ingredient a product is marketed for appears near the very end of the list, it may be present in a small amount.
• Compare products with the same key ingredient side by side; the rest of the formula, such as moisturizers and fragrance, often explains differences in feel and tolerance.
• If your skin is sensitive, look for fragrance-free formulas. “Unscented” can still mean a masking fragrance was added.

3. Decode common claims

Claim	What to know
Dermatologist tested	No standard definition; it does not say what the results were.
Non-comedogenic	Intended to mean less likely to clog pores, but there is no single regulated test.
Clean or natural	Marketing terms without a legal definition for cosmetics.
Clinically proven	Ask: proven to do what, on how many people, for how long?
Broad-spectrum SPF	Meaningful: sunscreens are regulated, so this claim must meet official requirements.

4. Check sunscreen labels carefully

Sunscreens are regulated more strictly than ordinary cosmetics. In the US they carry a Drug Facts label. In Canada, look for a DIN (Drug Identification Number) or an NPN (Natural Product Number) on the package, which shows the product was authorized by Health Canada. Compare SPF, broad-spectrum protection and water resistance.

5. Compare the real price

Divide the price by the size to get the cost per milliliter or ounce. A small, expensive bottle used sparingly can last as long as a cheaper large one used generously, so also consider how much you need per use. When comparing US and Canadian prices, convert the currency on the day you buy and include shipping, duties and taxes.

6. Look at packaging and shelf life

Pumps and tubes protect sensitive ingredients such as vitamin C and retinoids from light and air better than open jars. Check the period-after-opening symbol (an open jar icon with a number of months) and the expiry date, especially for sunscreen.

7. Read reviews critically

• Look for reviewers with your skin type and concern.
• Pay attention to repeated complaints, such as pilling, stinging or a strong scent.
• Be cautious with reviews that are all five stars, very short or posted on the same days.

8. Know the return policy

Some beauty retailers accept returns of opened products within a set period; others do not. Check before you buy, especially for expensive items, and keep your receipt.

Quick checklist

1. Goal and skin type defined
2. Key ingredient position in the list
3. Claims checked
4. DIN, NPN or Drug Facts on sunscreen
5. Price per ml or oz compared
6. Packaging and expiry checked
7. Return policy confirmed

Find more buying advice in Beauty Shopping and our Skincare guides.