Don't buy a serious skin care product, unless you read the ingredients first. There have been many complaints about products purchased from television and internet ads. Most people criticize the company, but it is the customer shares in the responsibility. Either, you do your homework and are satisfied or believe the advertising hype and lose your money. The choice is yours. Here's some info to get you started.

As you may know, the phrase mentioned in the title and in the first paragraph is actually connected to a line of cosmetics sold mostly on home shopping network. While HSN may be a great place to buy jewelry and clothing, there are certain things that you should never buy there. Why? Because, there is never enough information to make sure that you are getting what you truly want. So, many customers come away dissatisfied.

If you can evaluate a serious skin care product before you buy, the first thing to do is read the label and look at the list of ingredients. There are many things that you simply do not want on your face, hands or body and they are often found in cosmetics. Here's a short list of what to avoid.

Acrylamide, diethanolamine (DEA), monoetanolamine (MEA), triethanolamine (TEA), dioxane, nitrosamines, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are all commonly used in creams and lotions. They are all either known or suspected carcinogens. That is cancer causing agents in layman's terms.

Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens are commonly used as preservatives and are suspected of interfering with the endocrine system. If you have an allergic reaction to a so-called serious skin care product or you develop a rash, it is probably due to these ingredients.

It is amazing how many cosmetic companies use some form of alcohol for various purposes in their products. Any kind of liquid alcohol will strip natural oils and cause dryness. It also changes the natural pH balance and makes you vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections. Alcohols also promote age spots, discoloration and premature aging.

If something is truly a serious skin care product, it should contain nothing unnatural, nothing that could be harmful to your body. Everything that you put on your face or hands is absorbed through your pores and eventually ends up in your blood stream. You may as well be eating it.

But, you even have to watch out for the "natural" products. Many contain mineral oil which clogs the pores. Others contain emollients and other oils that can become rancid if kept past the use-by date. If refined oil is used, they become poisonous.

Also, a serious skin care product should not contain artificial or even natural fragrances. Your sense of smell is very important and odors affect your mental well being. Ask anyone who uses aromatherapy. While some smells are pleasant and relaxing, others cause depression, hyperactivity and irritability. Too, constant use of products containing a fragrance will eventually damage your sense of smell, which is connected to your sense of taste. Everything in the body is connected.

If you really want a serious skin care product, you should look for one that is created with your health in mind. Softness, smoothness and a radiant glow accompany good health. Isn't that what you want?