Follow the instructions: Why the labels on your favorite products matter

From childhood, we are taught to follow the rules. And while some rules are made to be broken—yes, you can wear white after Labor Day—others are made for good reason. Is it a point? Instructions for your favorite skin care products. Think you can leave a 5-minute mask for 15? Think again. To find out why the direction of your beauty products matters, we reached out to board certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Dhawal Bhanusali.

If you recently bought a new skin care product and find that after using it for some time you are not happy with the result, make sure you follow the instructions. “Usually [instructions] are about absorption and penetration,” Bhanusali explains, saying that if you don’t follow the directions, the formula may not work as intended. In this regard, you should remember a few rules:

Rule 1: If the product description says to apply to clean skin, don't think you can do without cleansing. You may run the risk of makeup, dirt, and other contaminants getting under the product, which can be detrimental to your complexion.

Rule 2: If a product instructs you to use it no more than a certain number of times per day or week, more frequent use will not make it more effective, it can only lead to problems. Take, for example, spot treatment for acne. Sure, you might think that applying this salicylic acid formula as many times as you can will help speed up the pimple's disappearance, but chances are, you're drying your skin. One to three times a day means one to three times a day!

Rule 3: If your face mask is supposed to be used for five minutes, for the sake of skin care, don't leave it on for ten minutes! “Many masks contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids, which are great for improving the appearance of the skin while providing excellent exfoliation,” says Dr. Bhanusali. "But if left on for too long, they can potentially lead to problems like discomfort and dryness."

Rule 4: Some cleansers work best when applied to dry skin, while others may require water to work. If you want the best results, follow the instructions. Take, for example, cleansers with certain alpha hydroxy acids. While your initial instinct may be to wet your face and lather up, depending on the formula, you may be wrong. Always check the instructions to see if you should apply to wet or dry skin before starting if you want to see the formula's intended benefits.

Lesson learned? If you want to get the most bang for your buck by shelling out your hard-earned cash on beauty products, make sure you follow the instructions!