Once & For All: Let’s Nail Good Skincare

How good your skin looks post-puberty depends on how well you understand and take care of your skin. Genetics, food, hormones and the your lifestyle surely have an affect on you skin, but good skin can still prevail if you practice smart skincare day in and day out. Most important thing to remember here is: the earlier the good skin care habits are adopted, the better your skin’s overall condition will be as you age.

The first step in formulating your individual skin care routine is to identify what kind of skin you have. Is it dry or oily, light or dark, wrinkled or smooth, or somewhere in between? Ingredients in each skin care product should be tailored to meet the needs of your particular skin type. Using wrong skin products will result in breakouts, and skin damage and lot of heartache. If you are not sure what your skin type is visit a dermatologist and simply ask.

Baby Steps To The Basics Of Skincare

Skin complaints, ranging from visible scarring to acne to hypersensitivity, pigmentation and premature ageing, can all be addressed, controlled and eradicated with a regular practice of smart skincare regimen. Regardless of the skin’s condition, improvements in diet, lifestyle and routine skincare can all contribute to a healthier complexion. Lets get your skincare basics aligned.

No matter what your skin type, you most likely only need to wash your face in the morning and before bed. Since the skin loses its natural lubrication when it is over-washed, it’s best to keep extra washing to a minimum. People with oily skin might need one additional rinse during the day especially after school or work to get rid of any dust and pollutants that might later clog pores leading to acne.

Bar soap can be harsh and drying to the skin, so use a cleanser specifically formulated for the face. Look for products that are specifically designed for your skin type and then experiment to find the one that works best for you. Most skincare products are labeled according to the special skin type or skin need that they address, make a habit to read labels to make the right choices.

If you have dry skin, make sure that you aren’t using too harsh of a cleanser. Dry skin needs gentle cleansing with products “rich in fat” and containing emollients, like olive oil or lanolin, which make the skin softer and add lipids to the skin. Milky liquid cleansers and tissue-off cleansing creams are also good options for dry skin.

If you have oily skin, avoid “fat loaded” soaps and creamy cleansers, as these will only increase the amount of oil on the skin. Instead, use products designed for oily skin. Don’t give in to the temptation to wash your face every time it feels greasy. By doing so, you’ll kick the sebaceous gland into over production of oil, as the skin tries to replace the lubrication it loses when it is washed.

For combination/normal skin, look for products labeled specifically for your skin type. Most likely, you’ll have to experiment to find the right cleanser for your particular skin. The right cleanser will be one that doesn’t over-dry skin but still does a good job of cleaning off dirt and oil.

Moisturizer is must for all skin types. The drier the skin, the more moisturizing ingredients your moisturizer should contain. Some ingredients to look for are: glycerin, hyaluronic-acid, and dimethicone. Another ingredient that works well for dry skin is olive oil. It is a natural moisturizer because it contains oleic acid, a powerful emollient. If you don’t have acne, you can try applying olive oil to your face as a natural moisturizer.

Oily skin like any other skin type needs moisture too, there are oil-free moisturizers out there that replenish hydration in oily skin. While shopping for a moisturizer for your oily skin, look for “non-comedogenic” products that won’t clog pores containing humectants like glycerin, which lock moisture into the skin by attracting and retaining water.

For combination skin, use oil free moisturizers in the places where you need it, usually the driest areas are on the cheeks. For dry areas under your eyes, use a cream designed for the eye area since this delicate skin is thinner than the rest of the skin on the face.

To get the maximum benefit out of your moisturizer apply your moisturizer when the skin is still damp. This helps the skin to lock-in extra moisture. Only use as much moisturizer as you need, over-moisturizing can cause clogged pores and breakouts.

After cleansing and moisturizing, your skin care routine should tailor to the specific conditions that affect your skin.

For Wrinkles And Sagging, or to achieve an “instant lift” effect, look for products that contain antioxidants and DMAE. Antioxidants repair cells and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, while DMAE boosts production of acetylcholine, making skin firmer and tighter.

For Red Or Irritated Skin, use a product that contains vitamin C ester. Being an antioxidant, vitamin C ester is soothing and non-irritating to the skin. It can reduce redness and irritation, even from sunburn or psoriasis.

To Reduce The Appearance Of Pores, look for products that reduce the amount of bacteria on the face and calm the oil glands like, Avene Triacneal cream.

If You Have Acne, there are plenty of products to choose from, although you may have to experiment a little to find the best treatment that works for you. Look for cleansers that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. Ideal acne treatment should reduce breakouts while not over drying the skin.

Finding a product that is tailored to your skin care concerns can greatly improve the appearance of your skin and improve skin conditions considerably, so take time to experiment.

A good skin care routine isn’t just about looking good for the day. It’s also about setting yourself up for beautiful and healthy skin for life. Taking the proper steps to promote both short and long term skin health is just as important as washing your face.

Sunscreen is an important product that everyone should include in their daily skin care routines. To streamline your daily routine, look for moisturizers or products you would use anyway that also contain SPF 15. If you’re planning on being outside for any extended period of time use stronger SPF 50. Without proper protection, damage from years of unprotected time in the sun eventually shows up in the form of wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven pigmentation.

Another easy way to promote skin health is by using products that contain antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cell by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable cells that take electrons from healthy cells. By incorporating a skin care product with antioxidants into your everyday routine you help your skin fight off the free radicals that cause cell damage and unhealthy skin.

If you don’t have time to apply many different products, don’t worry. Many products address more concerns than you expect. For example, many moisturizers contain SPF, and many repairing products contain the same ingredients that will prevent future skin problems. Read labels to find out how many aspects of your routine you can address with each product.

However, even if you are able to combine some parts of your routine, make sure you are getting the best possible products for your individual concerns. Your skin will thank you later.