The 4-Step Guide to Basic Skin Care

Introduction

To properly care for your skin you need to follow the daily 4-step skin care routine, from the right way to wash your face to the best moisturizers and UV protection. It is also very important to know your skin type as this will dictate how you care for your skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleanse with a good cleanser that your skin reacts well with and find the correct oil mix for your skin type to stop clogging or drying of the skin. Generally cleanse only at night and splash with lukewarm water in the morning to remove excess oils from your nightly moisturizing. Avoid washing your face with hot or cold water which can cause broken capillaries. Don't over-cleanse the skin.

The best way to wash your face is with warm water to loosen the dirt and clogged pores. Then use a small amount of the cleanser before rinsing with lukewarm water. Make sure you take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Most women skip this step in their weekly skin care routine while men exfoliate daily when they shave. This may be one of the reasons a man's skin looks more youthful than a woman's. Here are several ways to exfoliate the skin:

Microdermabrasion

Scrubbing removes the top layer of dead skin cells which dulls your complexion. Exfoliating the skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing all year-round. Use a gentle scrub with tiny grains to avoid tearing of the skin.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can take years off your face making the hour wait well worth it. You can use a monthly peel or over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month.

Retinoids

Retinoids also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. However, they also generate collagen in the skin which increases the skins structure and fiber. Aging creates lines and large pores, retinoids reduce them. Most skin care experts regard retinoids as a miracle skin saver.

Step 3: Moisturize

A basic principle of beauty is that everyone, no matter what the skin type, should moisturize - the only exceptions are those with acne. Moisturizers seal moisture into the skin so your skin will tell you when it is needed. When it's tight it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over-moisturize, this can clog pores.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare regimen when you consider that sun damage is the number 1 cause of wrinkles and skin cancer. Use sunscreen even in winter and on cloudy days. You can use two moisturizers: one for the night and one for the day (with UV protection). Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night. Make sure the sunscreen contains one of the following active ingredients - titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

Additional Tips

Should you use a toner?

Toners remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt. However, a good cleanser can do this which explains why many beauty experts are against the use of toners. In the end, it really comes down to personal choice and how your skin feels after using a toner.

Are eye creams necessary?

Beauty experts are strongly divided over eye creams. Some believe that the very thin skin around the eye is susceptible to wrinkles and therefore needs creams to 'thicken' and strengthen this area. Others regard the daily skin care regimen around the eyes as sufficient.

Conclusion

These days people seem to have no choice but to confront any issues involving their health. When these issues involve the health of their largest and most exposed organ, their skin, it is no wonder that they tend to be at the mercy of countless "expert" opinions and the accompanying products. What I have tried to show here is that, like most things in life, it doesn't have to be complicated, especially when it comes to basic skin care. By keeping to the simple regime above, and consulting qualified practitioners when in doubt, there is no reason why you can't have healthy and glowing skin all your life.



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