As the clock keeps ticking it feels like we’re left at the mercy of genetics and good fortune when it comes to showing signs of aging.
Whether you’re blessed with naturally young looks or you’re already noticing wrinkles beginning to creep into the mirrors around you, your skin is often used as barometer for measuring your state of health. As the largest organ of your body there’s really no excuse for neglecting this important area of health and beauty and a good skin care routine will go a long way to making you feel great about yourself.
From looking across a supermarket shelf at the beauty products on sale you can see that there is a range of different skin types in this world and the first step in creating your own personalised routine is in identifying your skin type.
Where to begin
There are five common types of skin types which are and to determine which category you fall into, wash your face as normal and wait for at least one hour in a neutral environment to allow your skin to return to its normal condition. Next you need to use a soft tissue to gently wipe your face, especially across the forehead and down your nose, the findings of which will indicate your skin type as follows:
- Oily: A residue of grease will be present on the tissue.
- Dry: The skin will feel tight and possibly show signs of flaking.
- Normal: The skin will be supple and show no signs of either of the above conditions.
- Combination: There will be a mixture of all of the above and this is actually the most common skin type.
- Sensitive: You should already be aware if you fall into this category as the use of regular skin products will cause itchiness, blotching or similar.
The three step plan
Once you know which skin care products are most suitable and will be of greater benefit you then need to make a habit of following this easy but effective guide twice daily, once in the morning then again in the evening.
Cleanse
A PH neutral and fragrance free cleanser should be used after wetting your face as this will allow the soap to more effectively soak into your pores.
Warning, note that to wash your face properly you will need to remove any make-up prior to washing as cleansers often can’t remove waterproof creams on their own.
Exfoliate
Once clean, you next need to use a facial scrub in small circular motion to give your skin a deep clean and help to invigorate and increase blood circulation.
A glycolic-acid or a salicylic-acid cleanser is a gentler and more effective alternative than regular exfoliators and can be used up to two or three times a week to provide an added boost to this process.
Moisturize
Moisturizers are designed to lock in water and so the ideal time to use is directly after washing. Choose an oil-free product for oily skin types rather than missing this step and remember that there is more skin on your body besides your face and your hands especially will benefit from being part of a regimented skin care routine.
