Skin Care Routines

When considering the proper care of your skin it is important to establish a regular routine that is hand tailored to your specific needs. These routines need to reflect your skin type, age and other factors such as time and budget.

If you generally do not have much time in the morning, establishing a routine that takes up much of your morning would not be wise. In the same way, if you are budget restricted, designing a routine that utilizes expensive products may not work out.

Whatever routine you decide upon, make sure that it is reasonable enough to be performed daily as your skin will get dirty and deteriorate every day. Also, consider a routine that addresses the entire body, not just the areas that are often exposed such as the face, legs and arms.

Your skin is the largest organ of the human body and performs several vital functions. It is imperative that you take care of and treat all of your skin, from your head to your toes, like you would consuming a healthy diet or maintaining a level of good fitness. In fact, truly good health, fitness, and well-being cannot be achieved without the inclusion of healthy skin.

The Typical Skin Care Routine

Your skin care routine should consist of washing and cleansing, toning (if you require a toning product), moisture agents, and protection from the sun. People without serious skin problems may only require a single skin care routine every day while some people will need to have both a morning and evening session. In particular, exfoliating is generally regarded as being something that only needs to be done a few times every week.

Every skin care routine must reflect the harmful rays of the Sun. Protection from these rays is essential to proper skin health and development. After applying a moisturizer, apply sunscreen even if you do not anticipate spending a long period of time outside. Sitting in front of a window at your office building can sometimes be just as harmful as being outside for a long period of time.

One of the first steps to deciding on which routine you would like to utilize is to consider the type of skin that you have. Below are some programs that are designed for each skin type.

Normal Skin

• Adhere to a cleansing program 2 times every day and use a cleaning agent that is free of soap. Do not use cleaning or toning products that contain alcohol, soap or detergents known to be harsh.

• Following each cleansing session, use a moisturizer that is free of oil before you dry your skin. You may choose to skip this step if you do not have any dry skin. However, not moisturizing once in a while can actually lead to dry skin.

• Always use sun block or sunscreen when you plan on being exposed to the sun.

• You may decide to use a mask meant to moist or exfoliate the skin at least 1 session every week.

Oily Skin

• Adhere to a cleansing routine 2 times a day every day and use a cleansing product that contains salicylic acid. This will assist in reducing and may even alleviate your oily skin condition.

• After the cleansing portion of your skin care routine, you may want to consider using an alcohol based toner if you are experiencing extremely oily skin.

• Obviously, using an oil based sunscreen is not wise if you have oily skin. However, if you are planning on spending an extended period of time in the sun and require a sunscreen to reduce the risk of a sunburn use a sunscreen product that is oil free.

• A vitamin A cream can be very helpful as part of your routine. This vitamin will slow the production of sebum (the agent that causes oily skin).

• You may consider a clay or mud mask during one session every week if you still have problems with oily skin.

Combination Skin

• Remember that when you have combination skin, you have to treat dry and oily areas with their respective methods.

• Adhere to a cleansing program 2 times every day and use a cleaning agent that is free of soap. Do not use cleaning or toning products that contain alcohol, soap or detergents known to be harsh.

• Consider switching to a dandruff controlling shampoo. This type of shampoo should be used at least once every two days until the problem subsides. After the issue is resolved, dandruff shampoo should be used 1 session per week.

• Following each cleansing session, use a moisturizer that is free of oil before you dry your skin. Only do this step on portions of your skin that are dry. This portion may be done throughout the day to combat very dry skin.

• Obviously, using an oil based sunscreen is not wise. Wear sunscreen when you are planning to be exposed to the sun but use an oil free solution.

• In reference to masks, consider using both a clay and moisture mask during different sessions every week.

Dry Skin

• Adhere to a cleansing program 2 times every day and use a cleaning agent that is free of soap. Do not use cleaning or toning products that contain alcohol, soap or detergents known to be harsh.

• Following each cleansing session, use a moisturizer that is free of oil before you dry your skin.

• An oatmeal based moisturizer may be more effective when dealing with extremely dry skin or if your current moisturizer does not seem to last long enough.

• Always use sun block or sunscreen when you plan on being exposed to the sun.

• In some cases, dry skin may be caused by dehydration. Drink eight eight ounce glasses of water every day.

• Sometimes dry skin can be common if you are exposed to detergents or other cleaning agents frequently. Some brands of laundry detergent are much less harsh on the skin and should be considered.

Sensitive Skin

• Adhere to a cleansing program 2 times every day and use a cleaning agent that is free of soap. Do not use cleaning or toning products that contain alcohol, soap or detergents known to be harsh.

• Also avoid cleansing agents that contain fragrances or coloring. http://slots33.com

• Do not use a toner or other products containing alcohol as part of your daily routine.

• Stay clear of harsh household chemicals like floor cleaners and laundry soaps.

• Consider letting your natural beauty show by abstaining from makeup. If you feel like you must use it, consider light applications of products that are easy to take off. Adding a tiny amount of olive oil to your makeup can make them much easier to remove.

• Following each cleansing session, use a moisturizer that is free of oil before you dry your skin.

• Obviously, using an oil based sunscreen is not wise. Wear sunscreen when you are planning to be exposed to the sun but use an oil free solution.

Kick Those Bad Habits! Your Skin Will Love It!

Most things that are bad for your skin should be fairly obvious. Almost anything that is a chemical compound can be harmful to your body in some way.

Two major issues with skin deterioration are smoking and alcohol consumption. Smoking can cause (among other major health issues) a severe dryness in the skin. In fact, 85% of smokers in a recent study admitted to dry skin problems.

Alcohol is actually healthy for your body and skin in moderate amounts. Many professionals recommend about 1 serving (12 oz. beer, 8 oz. glass of wine) of alcohol for liver health. However, excessive consumption of alcohol can cause skin blemishes and dry skin (particularly on the nose).

If you smoke or consume excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis, your routine should first consist of the necessary reduction or elimination of these harmful chemicals.