Skin Care Reviews

The Basic Steps to Great Skin

Clinical treatments and advanced skin care products are readily available in the market nowadays. Some of them may be a little costly and some could even be physically painful for some. Cosmetic surgery and anti-aging beauty products could help make skin glow and look fresher but it is also important to remember skin care basics to protect the skin from bacteria and slow down aging.

Proper and careful care ensures adequate skin protection and aids the prevention of potential skin conditions. Following proper skin care supports and increases the positive effects of more advanced treatments like skin rejuvenation and so on should you wish to avail of these services. Dermatologists and skin care experts recommend the following skin care basics:

Cleansing
Cleaning your skin on the surface is the most basic and necessary skin care routine. You cleanse before and after you put on make up. You cleanse your face to get rid of dirt and grime accumulated after a day’s work. Cleaning the skin should also be done with great care as doing it improperly also has the potential to cause severe dryness and skin damage. Skin experts recommend cleansing the skin at least twice a day. Use lukewarm water and mild soap or any cleansing agent that does not contain harmful ingredients. Refer to any product’s ingredient guide especially if you have sensitive skin.

Toning
Toning is necessary but not for all types of skin. For oily skin types, toning is a form of skin protection against stickiness or oiliness. Toning should be done after cleansing and should be done with extreme caution. Toning products are readily available in the market but it is important to remember that they contain ingredients that could dry up the skin. If you should opt to use a toner, pick one that is alcohol-free. Some toners come with chamomile and other natural oil products to help retain skin moisture.

Moisturizing
Although the benefits of toning might be a source of debate to different skin care experts, much more of them would agree that moisturizing is mostly an essential part of your skin care regimen. Moisturizing is ideal for people with dry skin but not as much for those with oily skin types. There are several types of moisturizers to choose from – emulsion-based, occlusive, oil-free, long-lasting, and so on – so be careful to choose which is the right one for you. In dry climates, people who prefer to use moisturizers must choose the oil-free variety to avoid a feeling of stickiness.

Exfoliation
Skin Care 101 programs will describe exfoliation as the process of stripping the outer layers of the skin of dead cells to give way to fresh new cells. Exfoliation allows a fresh look and glow, as well as the more effective penetration of skin care products. For those with oily skin, exfoliation is skin protection from excessive oil excretion. Not all skin care experts will agree on the need to do exfoliation as part of your skin care routine. It could be said, however, that exfoliating your skin once in a while could help reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Know Your Skin Type:

Skin care basics are also catered depending on skin type. Different types of skin require varying degrees and steps for skin protection. Various skin types also tend to develop varying skin conditions so it is important to learn what is harmful and what is helpful for your skin. The common skin types are normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin.

Normal Skin
People with normal skin need the least maintenance in caring for their skin. Normal skin, however, is rare as most people have to deal with various levels of dryness, acne, oiliness, and other skin conditions. Skin care basics for normal skin include basic everyday cleansing using a soap-free product. As much as possible, avoid applying toners or cleansers with harsh chemicals. Always refer to a product’s ingredient guide to protect your skin. Use sunscreen and moisturizers to prevent premature aging.

Oily Skin
Excessive excretion of the skin’s protective substance called sebum results in oily skin. Too much of this lipid-rich substance could trap dirt inside the skin’s surface and may be a cause for acne and large pores. To take care of oily skin, cleanse it with cleansers containing salicylic acid and avoid alcohol-based cleansers, which may cause irritation. Skin care basics dictate that people with oily skin do not need to moisturize. If you have oily skin and would like to use moisturizers, use oil-free products. For excessive oiliness, more advanced treatments including vitamin A creams, sulfur creams, and retinoids could help. Others would recommend the application of clay or mud masks once a week.

Dry Skin
People living in tropical climates or those undergoing treatments for acne tend to have dry skin. Effective skin protection for dry skin includes adequate cleansing using soap-free products. Do not use toners with alcohol and harsh substances. Non-greasy moisturizers will do the trick. Moisturizers containing substances similar to the skin’s natural moisturizing agents is also recommended. Check a product’s ingredient guide for sodium PCA or hyaluronic acid. Use sunscreen and apply moisturizing mask once a week. Drinking plenty of water and using mild soap for your laundry would also help.

Combination Skin
A skin of combining types means that certain areas of your face are dry while others oily. The oily part usually covers the T-zone, which is the forehead and the nose area. People with combination skin types usually have dry cheeks. To deal with combination skin type, follow the skin care basics for oily and dry skin separately. Cleanse the skin with mild cleanser twice a day before applying an oil-free moisturizer. You could also use masks. Use a clay mask on the oily area then a moisturizing mask should be applied on the dry surfaces of the skin. It would also help to use anti-dandruff shampoo as the condition also tends to affect the scalp.

Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is a skin condition that calls for careful skin care. People with sensitive skin react immediately to irritants like detergents, makeup removers, and alcohol-based substances. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to avoid artificial products, makeup, toners, and fragrances as much as possible. Use oil-free moisturizers and hypoallergenic sunscreen when outdoors.