The skin is quite an amazing organ. Weighing in at almost nine
pounds, on average, the skin is the first line of defense for
the body. The trouble is that we are not born with a user manual
for our skin. To compound the issue, the most education people
receive on the subject come from marketing messages produced by
the skin care industry. As you will discover, the skin, although
an amazing organ, is not that complicated to take care of. Below
are the 5 essential things you should know about taking care of
your skin.
1. The purpose of skin is to protect you and to excrete wastes.
It takes oxygen and nutrients from the blood (not the air or any
topical treatment) to help keep it healthy. It also expels oils,
toxins and sweat through its pores. All of this, plus heavy
moisturizers and creams and the pores can become clogged.
2. To keep your skin healthy, start on the inside first. Eat a
healthy diet complete with plenty of colorful fruits and
vegetables that a high in fiber, water and antioxidants. In
addition to eating properly, avoid excess alcohol and all
tobacco products.
3. Keep your skin by cleansing with warm or lukewarm water.
Splash the water on your skin gently and never expose your skin
to extreme temperatures. Very hot or cold water can damage the
tiny blood vessels in your skin, called capillaries. Also, while
bathing avoid getting shampoo or other hair products on your
skin because they can cause irritation. Remember to include your
neck as part of your facial skin care.
4. When trying out products on your skin, always test with a
small area. No matter what the claims on the product label
(allergy-free, hypoallergenic, etc) you can still have a
reaction to a new product.
5. Consistently follow a simple yet effective skin care regime.
Cleanse, tone and moisturize.
Cleansing is very important because clogged pores usually
precedes acne and blemishes. A cleanser should be slightly
acidic to avoid stripping oils from the skin. Work the cleanser
into your hands and then gently apply to your skin. Splash
plenty of lukewarm water on your skin to remove the cleanser. In
certain circumstances, you may need to cleanse twice. An example
would include if you were wearing heavy cosmetics and/or
cosmetics for a very long time.
Toning is the most important part of the skin care regimen.
Toners are composed of mostly water and a little alcohol. They
tighten the skin and help prepare it to receive the moisturizer.
Make sure to check the ingredients and get one that contains
cetyl alcohol. Any other kind of alcohol is too strong for the
skin. The best way to apply a toner is with a spray bottle. It
does not need to be wiped off either.
The last step is to moisturize. No matter if you have dry or
oily skin, you still should moisturize. Make sure the
moisturizer you choose is nonalkaline cream, lotion or gel. The
type you buy should be based on your skin type. If you have dry
skin, you can use a heavier product. If you have oily skin, go
with a lighter product such as a gel. It is also good to use one
that has UV protection (at least SPF 15). Depending on your
lifestyle, you can also you a day cream and a night cream
instead of a single product.
Proper skin care doesn't have to be complex, expensive or time
consuming. These 5 essential principals will go a long way
towards helping you keep your skin looking its best. Of course,
some people have more severe skin conditions and they should
always consult a dermatologist for professional advice.
About the author:
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