There are four basic steps to regular skin care. However, before you start following the tips and instructions dont forget to find out and make sure what skin type you have. There are various simple at home tests you can perform to make sure if you have greasy, dry, or combination skin. Without knowing your skin type you may cause more damage to the skin then get any benefit out of the following tips.
Having said that, the most simple and basic daily skin care routine consists of the following four steps:
Step 1: Cleansing The more simple you keep it, the better. Look for a cleanser that most agrees with your skin type and then limit yourself to it. Ordinary bar soaps available in the market must be avoided at all costs as they tend to over dry the skin. The good thing about cleansers, or at least most of them, is that their content includes oil, aqua and surfactants. Surfactants act by removing any dirt or traces of make up from the face and water helps to wash it off. But the trick is to find a cleanser with the right amount of oil as excessive oil leads to clogged pores and too little dries the skin.
Too much cleansing is not a good idea. Cleansing at night is best. All you need to do in the morning is splash your face with tepid water.
Step 2: Exfoliate Exfoliation, though much ignored is one of the most wonderful ways of keeping your skin healthy. Right kind of exfoliation gives immediate results. Several methods of exfoliation exist.
One of the best ways is to use a scrub. This helps remove the dead skin on top of the skin which causes it to appear dull. Only use gentle scrubs with minute grains as the cheap variety with big grains are harsh on the skin.
Go for a chemical peel. The time you have to spend waiting for it to work (an hour usually) can do amazing things for your skin, leaving it looking younger by say five years. However, these tend to be on the pricy side. So if you cant afford them, try buying an over the counter one. It takes longer to take effect but its worth the wait.
Step 3: Moisturize Moisturizing is one routine every skin type requires. These help to trap moisture in the skin leaving it hydrated. The amount and frequency of moisturizing your skin depends on its type. When the skin feels tight and coarse, its demanding to be moisturized. Nevertheless, be careful you dont over do it as it can lead to clogged pores that cause blackheads and also makes the skin break out.
Step 4: Apply Sunscreen More than anything else, exposure to sun for too long wreaks havoc with your skin leading to wrinkling and the appearance of unwanted brown spots. Whether its cloudy or sunny, never go out without your sunblock and this must become a habit from a young age.
