Veggie Blog

Personal skin care is a process

We all understand the importance of personal skin care, but the advice on how to do it differs from person to person. Some people believe that going to the beauty parlour every other day is personal skin care. Others think it is just a matter of applying some cream or lotion every now and then. Some think it is something you do once a month or once a year, and still others spend all their time on it. In fact, personal skin care is not that complicated, and it is not that expensive either, considering how useful it is. It simply means following a routine for taking care of the needs of your skin.

Before you start a routine, you need to find out your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, normal and so on) and choose the skin care products that suit it. You may have to experiment with a few products. Here is a routine that should work for most people with normal skin.

Step 1: Cleansing

The first step of any routine is cleansing. A cleanser contains three basic ingredients: oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). The oil and surfactants lift dirt and oil from your skin, and the water rinses it away. You may have to try a couple of cleansers before you find the one that suits you best. Choose a soap-free cleanser and use lukewarm water, because water that is very hot or very cold can irritate your skin. Take care not to over-cleanse, which can damage your skin as well.

Step 2: Exfoliation

The second step is exfoliation. Your skin constantly removes dead cells and replaces them with new ones, and exfoliation simply helps with that process. A layer of dead skin cells on the surface can make your skin look dull and can keep products from reaching the fresh skin underneath, so removing it makes your other skin care products work better. Exfoliation usually comes after cleansing. As with every part of the routine, it matters how much you do. How often depends on your skin type and on the method you use: start gently, for example once a week, and the stronger the exfoliation, the less often it should be done. Dry or sensitive skin needs less. If your skin gets red or sore, cut back.

Step 3: Moisturizing

The next step is moisturizer, one of the most important parts of personal skin care. Even people with oily skin need it. A moisturizer helps seal moisture into your skin and can also draw some from the air. Too much can clog the pores and cause problems, so use a thin layer. It works best when applied to skin that is still slightly damp.

Step 4: Sunscreen

The last step is sunscreen. Many day-time moisturizers include UV protection, so you get two benefits in one. Use sun protection every day, whether it is sunny or cloudy. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and put on enough of it.

What works best for you depends on your skin type and on how much of each product you use, so adjust the routine as you learn. If you have a skin problem of any kind, talk to a dermatologist before you start using new personal skin care products.

Choosing a facial skin care product

When it comes to skin care, facial skin care seems to top the chart. There are lots of facial skin care products available in the market. The most common facial skin care products are the ones used as part of a daily routine, such as cleansers and moisturizers. Toners and exfoliators are well known too, but fewer people use them.

The general classification of facial skin care products is based on the following:

* Gender (there are facial skin care products for men and facial skin care products for women)
* Skin type (facial skin care products for oily skin, for dry skin, for normal skin and for sensitive skin)
* Age (facial skin care products for older and for younger skin)
* Skin problems (i.e. facial skin care products for the treatment of different skin conditions like eczema, acne etc.)

So that is your first tip for picking a facial skin care product that suits you. A good way to start is by working out your skin type. Also note that skin type changes with age, so the facial skin care product that suits you today might not suit you forever, and you need to keep checking how well your product works.

Facial skin care products come in many forms, such as creams, lotions, gels and masks, and many people like to argue about which form is best. However, no form is really better than another. What suits you (and whatever you are comfortable with) is the best form of facial skin care product for you.

However, it is important to note that these products work differently for different people. So the best approach is to test the facial skin care product on a small patch of skin (e.g. behind the ear) before you start using it.

Another important factor is the condition of your skin. If you suffer from a skin problem of any kind, it is best to ask a dermatologist for advice before you choose and start using a facial skin care product.

Once you have chosen a facial skin care product, make sure you use it in the right way, i.e. follow the instructions for application, use the correct quantity and make the product a regular part of your skin care routine.

Personal skin care basics

Ask ten people what personal skin care means and you will get ten answers. For one person it is a regular visit to a beauty salon, for another a dab of cream now and then, for a third an occasional treatment once a month or once a year. In reality it is neither difficult nor costly. Personal skin care is a simple routine that looks after what your skin needs.

Start by working out your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive or normal) and look for skin care products made for it. Expect to test several products before you find the right ones. The routine below suits most people with normal skin.

Cleansing

First comes cleansing. Every cleanser is built from oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). Oil and surfactants pick up dirt and grease, and water carries them off. Soap-free cleansers are the gentler choice, and lukewarm water is better than hot or cold, both of which can harm the skin. Do not wash too often, because over-cleansing can leave your skin dry and sore.

Exfoliating

Second is exfoliating. Your skin naturally sheds old cells and replaces them with new ones, and exfoliation gives that process a push. Dead skin cells on the surface make skin look dull and can block creams and lotions from getting through, which is why removing them improves how well your other products work. Do it after cleansing. How often depends on your skin type and on the method you use: start gently, for example once a week, and the stronger the exfoliation, the less often it should be done. Oily skin often tolerates more, and dry or sensitive skin should be exfoliated less. Stop if your skin gets irritated.

Moisturizing

Third is moisturizing. Even oily skin needs a moisturizer, which locks in moisture and also attracts some from the air. A thick layer is not better: too much can block the pores. Apply it while your skin is still a little damp for the best result.

Sun protection

Fourth is sun protection. Many daytime moisturizers contain a UV filter, which gives you two benefits at once. Wear sun protection every day, cloudy or not. A broad-spectrum product with SPF 30 or higher is the usual advice, and it only works if you apply enough.

In the end, the best routine is the one that suits your own skin, and you will find it by adjusting the products and the amounts over time. If you have a skin problem, see a dermatologist before trying new personal skin care products.