Hey Beauties,
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately on how to take care of facial skin, so I decided to write a post about it.
I admit, the skin care and beauty worlds can be very confusing! Between all the products and tools and claims, it’s easy to lose sight of the basics of healthy skin. Of course, it is important to find the right products for your skin type and for any specific skin care concerns you might have, such as acne. Now without further ado, here are the basic skin care tips of my routine…
1. Cleanse – No matter what, your skin needs to be cleansed regularly. Cleansing removes dirt, makeup and dead skin cells. Wash your face at the beginning and ending of your day with a cleanser made for your skin type. Sleeping in your makeup is a no-no and can easily lead to breakouts and clogged pores. Lazy with cleansing? Try some facial cleansing towelettes to keep your face clean with less effort.
2. Moisturize – Skin needs to be replenished with moisture following cleansing. This helps keep skin supple and protected. Before bedtime, use a moisturizer with ingredients to treat and repair the skin, such as anti-oxidants.
3. Exfoliate – At least once a week, slough off dead skin cells by exfoliating. Dead skin can clog your pores and leave your skin looking dull. By exfoliating, you can reduce breakouts and improve cell turnover for a clearer, brighter complexion. You can use a manual exfoliant (containing little granules) or one that contains mild exfoliating acids, such as alpha hydroxy acids. Be sure to find an product that will not irritate your skin since not all facial exfoliators are created equal.
4. Use Sunscreen – The sun’s rays cause a huge amount of skin damage and lead to preamature aging. Your daytime moisturizer should contain a broad spectrum SPF of at least 15 (30 is preferable!) no matter what your skin tone. This might be the most important piece of the skincare puzzle that many women neglect, especially women of color. Not only will this help keep you from aging prematurely, it will help protect you from skin cancer.
5. Eat Well, Drink Well and Sleep Well – Beauty starts on the inside. Be sure to drink lots of water as well as eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Skin reflects what we eat, so make an effort to pick healthier options when it’s time to eat. A multivitamin also doesn’t hurt! Finally, our bodies need ample rest in order for us to be our best selves. When our bodies are well-nourished and well-rested, we tend to look and feel our greatest. Shoot for eight hours, if you can.
Well, Beauties, these are my 5 Facial Skincare Basics. Nothing fancy, but sticking to a regimen can be half the battle sometimes. Be sure to use products formulated for your skin type and skin care concerns. Of course, there are a number of additional things that can be worked into any skincare routine (such a toning, eye crèmes, mini-facials, serums and regular masks), but as far as bare bones basics for keeping you looking beautiful; these should definitely do the trick!
Tell us about your skincare routine!
Stay Beautiful
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Tags: Exfoliate, How To, Skin Care
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on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 at 10:46 am and is filed under Exfoliate, Eye Cream, How To, Popular Posts, Serums, Skin Care, Skin Care - Specialty.
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But I feel like I do all that.. and my skin still looks crappy
@ Ani Ram – these are just the bare bones basics. You’d need to do other things depending on your particular skincare concerns. What’s your current regimen?