Caring for your skin
August 22, 2008
Taking care of your skin
Our faces are the predominantly visible part of our skin. They reflect our health and our personalities. We dab our faces with powder or cream whenever we go out. But, are we really taking care of our skin? Are we protecting it from natural factors that not only make it look tired and unhealthy but also make the skin develop wrinkles and make it sag? If you aren’t, then now’s the time to do it.
Five basic steps comprise an essential skin care regimen. They are cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, toning and sun protection. Identifying your type of skin (normal, dry, oily or combination) is also important, as it will determine the kind of products to be used for your daily skin care.
A gentle non-sensitive pH-balanced face wash, lotion or soap must be used to clean your skin. However, the cleansing process tends to remove beneficial oils that our skin so urgently needs. Using a good moisturiser can compensate this. Exfoliating our skin is mainly a process of removing dead cells from the skin’s surface. Toning is an extra cleansing process to be used only for oily or combination skin. Dry skin tends to get irritated by toners. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential knowing the possibility of skin cancer. So, if you haven’t gone in for that SPF 15 sunscreen lotion, go buy it.
Face packs done once a week keep your skin glowing and healthy.
Of course, as you age, nature takes its course forming lines but wrinkles can be delayed by using anti-wrinkle creams. Some resort to botox or collagen injections. Their effects are fantastic but come with their side effects though.
Its not as if the rejuvenation of skin applies only to women. Who would want to come in close proximity with a man whose skin is battered with acne and spots? Since men have thicker and oilier skin than women they need to wash their faces more often. A cleanser especially for men will be a wise investment. An aloe Vera lotion serves as good moisturiser and a SPF15 sunscreen cream for protection against the sun will be of great help too. Shave well, rinsing with cold water and patting (not wiping!) your face dry.
Finally, lay off smoking and excessive caffeine. Eat nutritious food, do plenty of exercise and see the new skin healthy you!
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