Skin care basics

Healthy skin, we all want it? But are we all ready to pay the price for it? Luckily for us, its not that expensive. Healthy skin is simply the sum of some inexpensive day to day decisions that we can all keep when it comes to our skin care routine. I’ll be discussing the different skin care products, their ingredients and skin type, essential info for healthy skin.

 

TYPES OF SKIN CARE PRODUCTS AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED

Good skin care basics is more than washing your face, and even washing of the face, is not just soap and water. There are several products that work in different ways to keep your skin supple and healthy. For instance, facial cleansers are to be used twice a day, morning and night to get rid of bacteria, dirt, and pollutants.

  • Exfoliants should be used once or twice a week. They help to take dead skin cells of the surface of the skin and give it a fresh glow.
  • Serums contain antioxidants that combat aging of the skin. They are great for hydrating dry skin and can be used after using your facial cleanser
  • Face oils add an extra layer of protection to build skin resilience, and can be hydrating, especially for those with dry skin. To use them, you only need to add two to three drops to your moisturizer or serum.
  • Sunscreen is one thing you should never leave home without. It protects the skin from UV damage.
  • Moisturizers are probably the most popular in the pack, but there’s no loss in repeating their benefits. They help the skin look younger, and should be used twice daily.
  • Chemical Peels are probably the deepest acting, as they remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. Because they are more intense than exfoliators which do the same thing, they should only be used once every two weeks, and with the assistance of a professional, although DIY versions are available.
  • Toners shrink pores and help to restore normal pH balance (that is, water to oil balance in the skin). They should be used twice a day after the use of a cleanse to remove traces of makeup and other residue on the skin.
  • Face masks, depending on the type, can do everything from hydrating, drying and even brightening. Use them once a week and you’ll notice a drastic change in your skin as breakouts dry up and heal.
  • Eye creams are also important, especially for those dealing with puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles. Used once or twice a day, they penetrate the fine skin of the eye area to deal with these issues.

 

KNOWING YOUR SKIN TYPE

Knowledge of your skin type is important, as it determines what kinds of beauty products you can use, and those you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. For instance, people with the Normal skin, are probably the freest of all. They can use almost any skin care product they want, without fear of side effects. This skin type does not react negatively to weather or product changes. It also doesn’t demand frequent moisturization or blotting, as it has the right balance of water and oil in the first place.

  1. Oily skin people seem to always be glowing. They frequently need blotting sheets and the women usually find that makeup doesn’t always stay wear its supposed to. People with this skin should stay away from products with ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum and alcohol. Go for oil- free moisturizers or those labelled ‘non-comodogenic’. They should not over-use face washes as they dry out the pores, and this makes the skin produce even more oil to compensate for the loss.
  2. Dry skin is characterized by a lack of oil in the skin, making it to be flaky, itchy, and sensitive. If fine lines appear on your skin whenever it pinched together, then you’re probably the dry skin type. People with this skin should keep a lookout for water-based products. Your dry skin may be caused by a lack of oil, but oil-based products are not the solution, trust me. In fact, they will make things worse. You should also make sure you drink a lot of water.
  3. Sensitive skin people have to exercise the greatest degree of care in adopting and changing a skin care regime. At times, they can feel a burning sensation after using a skin care product. They also react negatively to fragrances, have frequent rashes and bumps, and patches of dry, irritated skin. People here should avoid products that have fragrances or irritants like alcohol and antibacterial ingredients; instead, go for gentle creams and soaps. They should also look out for products that have fewer additives and have calming, healing or anti-inflammatory properties.

 

INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

  • Aloe Vera is quite common in beauty products, and for those who don’t know, it come from the leaf of the aloe plant. Aloe in a beauty product will help to heal sunburns, burns and cuts. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.
  • Caffeine, surprising as it might sound, is also an important beauty product, especially for eye creams. It helps to reduce puffiness and redness. It also repairs skin damaged by UV light.
  • Citric acid, as the name suggests, is gotten from citrus fruits such as lemons and limes.  It helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and restore skin elasticity.
  • Dioic acid is gotten from vegetable fats and oils. It fights hyperpigmentation, aging and acne-prone skin.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide in beauty products helps lighten dark spots on the skin.
  • Lavender not only gives a sweet fragrance, it also alleviates acne, eczema and dermatitis.
  • Mica is a mineral derived from the earth. In beauty products, it serves to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Now, you can combine your knowledge of skin care  basics with different skin care products, the essential ingredients and your skin type, to kickstart your healthy skin journey.