Choose skin care products that effectively treat your skin problems.

A skin care routine is a great way to maintain young looking healthy  skin, but choosing the skin care products that best suit you from all the ones that are available on the market can be difficult.

A look at the basic skin care treatments that you need may help.

The best skin care products that are most effective at taking care of your skin are the ones with emolliant moisturizes, retinols and alpha-hydroxy acids added, although if you have dark skin care must be taken using alpha-hydroxy acids. Creams or lotions containing more emollients are especially beneficial for under the eyes as the skin here is the most delicate and dry part of the face. For pigmentation and spots the best products are those that contain retinols which are a derivative of vitamin A. For body and face the best skin products are those that have alpha-hydroxy acids, as these keep skin soft and smooth.

Three of the best skin care treatment products recommended by dermatologists are:

• Cetaphil cleanser - Ultra gentle non-soap, non fragrance cleanser works on all types of skin and has a natural low lather that will not strip away oils and clog skin.

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion - Contains alpha-hydroxyl acids combined with vitamin A, C and E.

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion - Gentle and kind to skin on all parts of the body including the face as it is non-comedogenic.

Two of the most common skin problems are: 

• Enlarged pores - Use retinols regularly, and alpha and beta-hydroxyl acids to purge the pores. Try the MD Forte range to gently exfoliate the outer layers of the skin producing visibly smoother skin  

• Fine lines and wrinkles - Try StriVectin-SD to repair stretch marks and now proven to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet.

For oily skin care you could try Aloette Oily Skin Care. This contains aloe vera which tones the skin and removes dead skin cells along with excess oil. One of the best anti-aging skin care products is DDF Labs (Doctor's Dermatologic Formula) range of products. For general good skin care try SkinCeuticals, a range of products that aims to prevent future damage, protect healthy skin and repair previous damage.