Diana Bianco, lead esthetician at Daireds Salon & Spa Pangea

Finding the perfect skin care line can be overwhelming and, when time and money have been invested in the wrong products, downright frustrating.

Initially, you should speak to an esthetician for a consultation. There is no exact science to skin care, so what works for one person may not work for another. During a consultation with an esthetician, your skin will be evaluated and you will discuss experiences, good and bad, that you have had with your skin. However, if you are not able to schedule such a consultation and would rather venture out your own for a skin care line, there are a few things you can keep in mind before making a decision.

All skin types should avoid detergents and chemical paraben preservatives, which are typically not found in professional products. Also, don't overuse alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and exfoliants.

Also, you should change you skin care regimen from season to season, for example, increasing hydration when it becomes cooler. For dry skin, a product that combines Vitamins C and E is an excellent source of healing and hydration for dry skin. For oily skin, exfoliating two to three times a week will keep dead skin from building up and trapping oil, which causes break-outs.

Every regimen should include a basic cleansing twice a day, followed by a toner to balance skin and close pores, and moisturizing. By age 25, an eye cream should also be worn, as the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the entire body and is the first to show signs of aging.

As we age, the turnover rate of our skin cells slows down, meaning that the old cells accumulate on the surface of the skin and the new cells have trouble getting up to the top. Thus, the signs of aging start to appear, including fine lines, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity and loss of natural hydration.