The skin is the single largest organ of the human body. Caring for it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Healthy, well-treated skin is attractive and a source of self-esteem. Taking care of this great big organ is really a matter of simple little tasks – here are just a few of them.
To best care for your skin, you should wash it at least daily. Some people will benefit from twice-daily washings. This cleans the dirt and oil off your skin and out of your pores before they can become clogged. It also washes away the toxins and pollutants that everyone is exposed to in their daily lives.
In order to keep your skin at its healthiest and best, always wash off your makeup at night. Wearing makeup overnight can clog your pores, leading to acne breakouts and other embarrassing skin problems. A simple scrub with a pre-moistened wipe can help avoid this issue without taking too much time.
Much is made of the petite jars of eye-related skin care products. Eye cream is a great example. However, next time you are at the department store cosmetic counter, feel free to walk right by the eye cream. Eye cream is nothing more than moisturizer with a slightly different consistency: ingredient comparisons show that they are basically the same. And unlike moisturizers, eye creams usually have no sun protection factor, which means the skin under your eyes is burning while everywhere else is protected.
Try not to overdo it with long hot baths and showers. The steamy, warm environment strips your skin of essential oils. This causes unattractive, flaky, dry skin that will have a hard time holding an moisture. Try to use warm instead of hot water and try bathing for shorter periods of time.
Exfoliate longer, not harder. You should never scrub when using an exfoliant, as these cleansers are made to work without pressure. Doing so can actually damage your skin. Instead, use very gentle pressure, and if you feel the need for extra exfoliation, cleanse for a longer period of time with constant, gentle pressure.
Exfoliate your skin longer, not harder. Many people often exfoliate too much or not enough. To maintain a healthy balance between the two, just exfoliate your skin longer. Be sure not to scrub too hard. Scrubbing too hard can damage your skin. It can cause small abrasions and considerable redness.
Many men like to use one “soap” product for their entire body. They want it to wash their hair, their face and their body. These soaps are often filled with deodorants and chemicals. For your face, make sure you are using a natural product that is designed especially for delicate skin.
Use a home-made clay mask to soothe and heal your skin. Clay masks can be used for all skin types. You can get a basic green clay from your local health-food store, this is called bentonite clay. Add water or milk to the clay, which comes in a powder form, to create a mask that is the consistency of lotion.
A face mask should be added to your skin care routine. A great face mask will help add hydrate dry skin or remove excess oil from your skin. There are many options of face masks you can purchase, or you can make your own from items in your pantry.
If you are using soap in the shower, make sure that you do not use too much, as this can cause irritation. After your shower, look closely at your skin and if you see or feel small particles of soap, try to eliminate them as quickly as possible. This will improve the texture of your skin.
Do not forget to exfoliate when caring for your skin. It is easy to overlook this step, but it is vital to keeping your skin looking more youthful. When you exfoliate, you remove the dead layer of skin cells on the top of your skin. Those dead cells make your complexion look dull, so exfoliate regularly to give your face a healthy glow.
If you have oily skin, avoid over-drying it out with harsh alcohol-based toners, cleansers, and washes. Drying oily skin actually causes the body to produce MORE oil, which makes the problem even more noticeable. Instead, use a hydrating oil-free moisturizer, which will leave your skin supple and hydrated but not oily.
Look for moisturizers that have a water base. It is very important to study the ingredients on products before you purchase them when you are worried about acne. Any product that has an oil base will clog already oily skin. Find water-based products that can moisturize the skin without adding extra oil.
A cheap, simple way to look more youthful is to consistently exfoliate. Look for a scrub that uses small grains, and use a circular motion to rub it into your face as an easy homemade face lift. Exfoliate every week like clockwork.
Make sandalwood powder into a paste to use on your skin. Mix the sandalwood powder with rose water. Add in a few drops of milk, which is also very good for your skin. Mix this all together, and it will form a paste. Rub this paste onto your face and body. Leave it on for 15 minutes before showering.
If you must use some sort of bleach on your skin, use a natural bleach. Even sensitive facial bleaches can sting and damage your skin. Try using a natural bleach instead. Mix milk and a bit of lemon juice. Combined, the two make a gentle bleach. Apply this to your skin.
Skin care is like any big job – really it is just a bunch of little jobs. The preceding tips are only some of the little jobs you can integrate into an effective skin care routine. Take advantage of the ones that feel right to you, and always be on the lookout for more little skin jobs.
