Expert Answer • 2 min read

Should I allow searching by skin concern or product type?

As an e-commerce brand in the beauty and skincare industry, I'm trying to optimize my website's navigation and search functionality. I want to understand the best approach for helping customers find products that meet their specific needs. Should I structure my search and filtering options around skin concerns like 'acne' or 'aging', or focus more on traditional product types like 'cleansers' and 'serums'? I'm looking to improve user experience, increase conversion rates, and make product discovery more intuitive for my customers.
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

2 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

Yes - enabling search by skin concern ('acne,' 'anti-aging,' 'hydration') and product type ('serum,' 'toner,' 'SPF') dramatically improves discovery for customers who know their need but not the specific product. These are often the highest-converting search queries.

Complete Expert Analysis

Should I Allow Searching by Skin Concern or Product Type?

Many cosmetics customers arrive with a problem to solve, not a product in mind. "Something for dark circles" or "lightweight SPF for oily skin" are legitimate search queries that your search should handle. Concern-based and product-type search unlocks a major conversion channel.

Search Query Types to Support

Query TypeExample QueriesIntent Level
Specific product"retinol night cream," "vitamin C serum 20%"Very high - ready to buy
Product type"eye cream," "face mask," "toner"High - category exploration
Skin concern"dark spots," "acne," "anti-aging"High - problem-first search
Ingredient"niacinamide," "hyaluronic acid," "retinol"High - ingredient-aware buyer
Skin type"for oily skin," "sensitive skin moisturizer"High - targeted need

Implementation Strategy

Tag products comprehensively

Every product should be tagged with: skin type, skin concern(s), product type, key ingredients, finish, and coverage. These tags power both search and filter discovery.

Create concern-based landing pages

Dedicated collection pages for top concerns ("Products for Acne," "Dark Spot Solutions") rank in search and provide a curated shopping experience. Link to these from search results when relevant.

Surface concern categories in search suggestions

When a customer starts typing "anti" or "acne," autocomplete should suggest both products and collection pages for that concern.

Concern-Based Navigation

Beyond search, consider adding a "Shop by Concern" navigation option alongside "Shop by Category." Many cosmetics brands find this concern-first navigation converts better for new customers than traditional category navigation, because it matches how customers think about their needs rather than how your product catalog is organized.

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Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

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