So many women (and men, too) will try product after product, hoping that one will eventually stick and fix their skin woes. Most of us don’t bother to stop and look at the big picture, instead we search for a cure-all product. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a cure-all product. However, knowing the basics of skin care can help to create a skin care regimen that dramatically improves skin’s appearance.
Preparation: Throw Everything Out
Too often, women have entire cabinets and closets full of skin care products. Many of them are half full, mostly empty or barely touched. Products do expire, so it’s best to start fresh and throw everything out. Then, using information you’ve gathered about proper skincare, purchase the right products and only the products needed.
Step 1: Determine Your Skin Type
The first step to having picture perfect skin is knowing what type of skin you have. The most commonly referred to types are:
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
- Sensitive
If you’re not sure what type you fall under, click here.
Step 2: Cleanser
While shopping, choose a cleanser that works best for your skin type. When choosing a cleanser, look for something that is creamy and is free of soap and unnecessary perfumes. Avoid cleansers that strip your face of its natural oils, as your skin will only react by producing more oil which can result in unwanted breakouts.
Step 3: Exfoliating
If you’re not exfoliating, you should start. Exfoliating helps skin cell turn over, which makes your skin look significantly healthier. Just don’t overdo it, as exfoliating once a week is often enough for most skin types. Consider purchasing a facial scrub for weekly use or investing in a monthly chemical peel.
Step 4: Moisturize
Many women and men skip moisturizer completely, especially if they have combination or oily skin. The fear is that moisturizer will only aggravate acne, making skin more oily. Fortunately, this simply isn’t true. Moisturizer simply seals moisture into the skin, but be careful not to use too much moisturizer, which can clog pores.
When looking for a moisturizer, choose one that says ‘oil-free’ on the label. These types of moisturizers are generally ideal for use on all skin types and won’t clog pores (unless over-used).
Step 5: Sunscreen
You may get tired of hearing this, but no dermatologist will ever tell you that you don’t need sunscreen. In fact, most skin care professionals make it a point to tell their clients that sunscreen is one of the most important parts of a skincare regimen.
Sunscreen protects you from the sun, period. Sun damage can result in wrinkles, sun spots, age spots and worse, skin cancer. Therefore, lather up daily throughout the year as the sun can affect you even in the winter. If you’re not convinced, use sunscreen during the warmer months of the year and use a moisturizer or lotion with sunscreen already in it the rest of the year.
Jennifer Gittins - Jenne is a 23 year old writer, photographer and musician. She intends to go back to school when the economy picks up for a degree in ...
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