How you take care of your skin will not only make a difference on how you look now but also in the future. Follow this simple skin care regimen and you should have beautiful skin now and keep your skin looking younger and vibrant for the future.
Cleansing is the first part of your skin care regimen and should be done in the morning and again at night to remove both daily grime and deep down dirt in the pores. Cleansers are also an essential factor in the battle against wrinkles; they help to make skin more receptive to moisturizers and anti-aging treatments. Don't forget cleanse your neck as well, the skin here needs just as much attention as your face and it is often the first area to show signs of aging.
Choose the cleanser that suits your skin type. With your fingertips, massage it all over your face and neck using a small circular movements to work out dirt and other impurities from the skin. Pay particular attention to the areas across the forehead and down the nose, from the chin to the hairline. These are the areas where most dirt builds up. Always work gently using a soft, light touch rather than a rough abrasive action, which may cause your skin to become red and soar and possibly long term damage.
If you are using a water soluble cleanser, rinse your face and neck with water. Ideally it should be lukewarm. Warm water helps remove the shine from oily skin, but may irritable dry, sensitive skin and hot water can encourage broken veins. If you are using an oil soluble cleanse, gently tissue off dirt and grime from the face and neck without dragging or pulling the skin. Change the tissue as soon as it becomes overloaded with dirt, otherwise you will be working this back into the open pores.
Make sure that the cleanser has been thoroughly removed, if any residue is left behind, it will continue working and dry out the skin. Gently pat the face and neck dry using a clean towel. Before buying a cleanser, toner, or moisturizer, test the product first to test for allergies. To do this, rub a little behind your ear and check that there is no reaction after 24 hours. If you are choosing products from different makers, test together in the same way
Toners, are the second stage in a daily cleansing program. They are designed to remove any last traces of cleanser, which also helps to tighten and refine the pores and prevent a buildup of dead cells. After toning, your skin should feel revitalized and refreshed, and ready to be moisturized. If you think your skin is looking particularly dull, try patting the toner on with a brisk slapping motion, which will stimulate the blood supply to the surface of the skin.
Pour a little onto a damp cotton ball, this makes the toner easier to apply and also means you use less of it. Stroke the cotton ball gently over your face and neck using small circular movements; do not drag or pull the skin. Concentrate on the T-zone and hairline and avoid the delicate eye area and the lips.
Moisturizers are the final stage in a cleansing program and help restore the moisture loss caused by the drying effects of sunlight, wind , cold and pollution. A good daytime moisturizer should contain a sunscreen and will be easily absorbed by the skin. If it leaves an oily film on the surface, it will be difficult to apply makeup on top. At night you can use a richer, more nourishing cream since this is when your skin most readily absorbs moisture.
Choose a proper moisturizer. Place small dots of moisturizer all over your face. Using your fingertips distribute the moisturizer evenly all over the face and neck. Always be careful not to use too much moisturizer, the skin can only absorb so much at one time. Stroke the moisturizer in light circular movements. Avoid the eye area which need to be treated specially. Wait at least 5 minutes before applying makeup to give the moisturizer time to be absorbed by the skin.
Exfoliation removes dry, dead surface cells to help the skin work more efficiently and look fresher and younger. It also makes skin more receptive to moisturizers and can help keep blemishes at bay. Exfoliate one to three times a week, depending on your skin type; oilier skins should be exfoliated more often, while those with normal and dry skin will find that once a week is sufficient. Whether a cream or gel, exfoliators should not be abrasive.
Cleanse the face and spread exfoliators evenly over it, avoiding the eyes and lips. Let the exfoliator dry if necessary. Rub the exloliator in gently with the fingertips focusing on any areas of acne. Do not rub too vigorously. If dry patches begin to appear or your skin feels very sensitive, you are probably exfoliating too hard or too often. Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove all traces of the exfoliator. Tone and moisturize, then wait for a few hours before applying makeup.