The right (& wrong) ways to cleanse, moisturize & exfoliate your skin
Here we show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers and UV protection.
Before we start with the proper daily 3-step skincare routine, you'll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to figure out what skin type you have.
The Basic 3-Step Skincare Regimen
* Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. (I list the best cleansers for skin types in this article ). Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, 'Beauty,' a French cosmetics executive once told her 'soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.' We agree. According to Berg, most cleansers contain oil, water & 'surfactants'. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt & makeup & the water washes it all away. Who knew? The secret is finding the right mix of oil. (Makes sense to us). Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.
Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both hot & cold water causes broken capillaries) and avoid going to bed with makeup on, you run the risk of clogging your pores. Also be careful about overcleansing skin.
Here's the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt & clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser & gently apply it in a circular motion, then rinse with cool water. Cool water tends to tighten the pores. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.
* Step 2: Exfoliate Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that dull your complexion. We firmly believe it's important once a week to exfoliate skin with a microdermabrasion kit. Any more often and you risk overexfoliating and tearing your skin.
Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.
Many women with mature or sun-damaged skin (a sure sign: wrinkles) have turned to different types of hydroxies which act as deep exfoliants. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.
Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a beauty editor say, 'toners are only for copy machines'). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup & dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Keep it up.
* Step 3: Moisturize A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers attract moisture and draw it into the skin. They also seal in moisture (Berg calls this the 'Saran Wrap effect') while plumping your skin cells. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can cause clogged pores. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.
Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin & susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to 'thicken' this area & keep it sturdy. Yet others claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.
* Step 4: Apply sunscreen The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter & on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase 2 moisturizers: one for nighttime & one for daytime that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 & can aggravate the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an 'active ingredient': titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).
(Source: http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/basicskincare.htm
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