Developing a Skin Care Regimen

Developing and maintaining a facial skin care routine is a wonderful way to take steps towards a life of beautiful and healthy skin. Did you know that over time the accumulation of dead skin, grime and impurities as well as exposure to sun and other natural elements can take a drastic toll on your skins health? While your skin is designed to protect your body, it needs to be protected as well. By incorporating a few simple steps into your morning or nightly routine, you can banish away the detrimental effects of the environment and the natural aging process simply and effectively.

Remember that your skin, especially your face, is constantly exposed to elements you may not even be aware are around you. Even something as simple as the wind on your face or rubbing your fingers over your skin will leave tiny particles of dirt and grime behind. Your skin has pores that can become filled with these particles and slowly become clogged with oils that will lead to acne, white heads, black heads and other skin problems. The accumulation of dead skin cells that have not been removed will build up over time and begin forming wrinkles and prevent healthy new cells from reaching the surface. By ignoring your skin, you are setting the stage for a lifelong battle with the look and feel of your face and body.

A simple skin care routine is simple to establish and can be custom tailored to your particular needs. Understanding your skin type is the first step followed by identifying any specific problem areas. There are five common types of skin:

1) Normal
2) Oily
3) Dry
4) Combination (a mixture of two or more of the previous three)
5) Sensitive (may not respond well to more aggressive treatments)

After you have identified what type of skin you have and any specific issues you may want to correct, it is time to develop your routine. Most daily skin care treatments can be done daily or every other day (cleanse, tone, moisturize). More intensive treatments such as masques or exfoliation may only be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Corrective treatments can range in duration and frequency and individual product directions should be followed carefully.

Take control of your skin today and start a daily routine that will help to improve the texture, smoothness and tone of your skin from day one. Problematic skin doesn’t need to be a losing battle if you are ready to take matters into your own hands and commit to a simple plan to keep your skin looking its best. Most daily routines can be completed within ten minutes and will significantly improve your skin’s health and appearance quickly and effectively.

Step One: Cleanser (Daily)
The first and most basic step should be to truly clean your face (and not with just soap and water). A basic cleanser (they are available for all skin types) will remove excess oils and dirt from the pores by penetrating the skin more deeply. Most cleansers are rubbed in a circular motion around the skin and then rinsed off with warm water.

Step Six: Protect (As Needed)

If you are going out during the day (even in the winter) it is important to prevent damage before it starts by using a strong sun block. We recommend the use of at least an SPF 30 or higher and reapplying often throughout the day or after any activities such as swimming. Advanced protection is available for the face, lips and body in several strengths and types.

Step Two: Exfoliate (Daily or Every Other Day)
Remember when we said that by removing dead skin you can allow new skin cells to develop? This is where this step comes in handy. Exfoliants range from gentle in texture (small and grainy like sand) to more intensive treatments with larger particles that are closer to salt crystals. If you are unsure of what type is best for your skin, consult with an esthetician or dermatologist for more advice.

Step Five: Moisturize (Daily)
Moisture, moisture, moisture! This cannot be repeated enough when it comes to proper skin care. Even if your skin is naturally oily in nature it will still need a light (oil free) moisturizer to maintain a hydrated and healthy appearance. Dry skin will use more intensive moisturizers while sensitive skin may require special products without harsh chemical additives. Pay attention to any reactions such as redness, dryness or rash, when using any product and discontinue immediately if any problems arise.

Step Four: Correct (As Directed)
Blemish repair, hyper pigmentation treatment, anti wrinkle or deep exfoliation would fall into this step as needed. These treatments are very specific to your skin and will help to combat any existing conditions.

Step Three: Tone (Daily or Every Other Day)
After cleansing the skin and exfoliating it is important to make sure that all the excess grime has been removed. After exfoliating the pores, toner can reach further and remove any residual impurities that may remain. It will also help to restore the natural ph balance of the skin.

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