rnSkin Care BasicsrnEvery cream or lotion in the market today will claim to make you look so much better. rnAnd to an average person, the choice of which one is best for his or her skin can be rnan overwhelming experience.
The Good News About Skin CarernThe good news is skin care can be as simple as you want it to be. Washing your face rndoesn't have to be a 10-step ritual, and you don't have to max out your credit card; rnneither do you need to fill up your medicine cabinet with shelves of products. rnThe fact is, good skin care involves 3 basic steps:
Cleansing rnGetting rid of grime and chemicals while limiting the stress of daily cleansing
MoisturizingrnHydrating and replenishing the skin
Using SunscreenrnProtecting the skin from harmful UV rays
Step 1 - CleansingrnMost of us know that cleansing is an important part of good skin care. The purpose of a rncleanser, or soap, is to surround, loosen, and make it easy to remove dirt, stains, debris, germs, rnexcess oils, and left-over products applied to the skin. Unfortunately, some cleansers rnare harmful to the skin.
Many people get dry skin from their cleansing routines, which means that their skin is not rnnormally dry. Some people mistakenly think that their skin isn't clean enough until it feels dry or rntight, or both, after they wash it. People get used to the way their skin normally feels. They come rnto expect that their skin will change depending on the seasons. For example, they expect to haverndry, rough patches on the backs of their hands, itch and dull complexion in winter. They don't know rnthat their choice of cleanser could be hurting their skin.
How do you know what type of cleanser to use and where? The first step is to understand rnyour cleanser options:
Bar soapsrnThe most irritating cleansers but the best to get rid of dirt and grime
Liquid cleansersrnA wide variety of tolerability - good for cleaning all but the oiliest skin
Facial cleansers rnThe mildest cleanser but may not remove oil and dirt as well.
Cleansing Bottom Line
You don't have to feel dry to be cleanrn You have good optionsrn Use the mildest cleanser possible that still removes dirt, oil and debris
Step 2 - MoisturizingrnMoisturizing is an essential step in good skin care. A good moisturizer can rnstop the dry skin cycle from spiraling into cracked, thick, flaky skin. rnAn effective moisturizer will have a combination of ingredients that:
Replenish the skin's natural ingredients that help maintain its structurernCut down on damage from free-radicalsrnHelp the cells function more normally
Good Moisturizer IngredientsrnIn the past, moisturizers were essentially water and wax mixtures that worked by rntrying to hold water in the skin. The only real difference between these moisturizers rnwas how they "felt" to the consumer. Now there is complex science behind the new rnstate-of-the-art moisturizers that are available. Some ingredients that you'll find in rna state-of-the-art moisturizer are:
Glycerol rnHelps water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate rnthe skin to get where they are needed.
Ceramides rnHelp replenish the skin's natural oils.
Hydroxy Acids rnHelp with exfoliation of dead skin cells
NiacinamidernHelps the skin produce more natural oils, and may also help reverse the rnsigns of sun-damaged skin, like brown spots and blotchiness
How to Choose a MoisturizerrnNot all skin is the same, and not all moisturizers are the same. Picking out the best moisturizer rnfor your skin depends on what your skin needs. Consider the following skin conditions when rnchoosing a moisturizer:
Moisturizers for dry skinrnMoisturizers for oily skinrnMoisturizers for normal skinrnMoisturizers for acne-prone skinrnMoisturizers for red skinrnMoisturizers for eczema, atopic dermatitis, or sensitive skinrnMoisturizers with sunscreen
Moisturizer Bottom LinernDon't settle for your grandmother's old cold cream. Pick a moisturizer with good rningredients for your skin, and enjoy your healthier skin.
rnStep 3 - SunscreenrnThe final step in a good skin care program is using sunscreen, but it's the most forgotten. rnIt's easy to tell if your skin is dirty or dry, requiring a good washing or some added rnmoisture. We can see or feel that our skin needs some extra care. Unfortunately, most of the rndamage to the skin from UV radiation is beneath the surface and happens so slowly that we rndon't realize how much damage is being done.
Most people know that exposure to UV radiation can cause sun damage to the skin, rnincluding sunburn, photoaging, and increased risk of skin cancer. But did you know rnthis damage also occurs when you walk from your house to your car or sit next to rna window during the day? Even those little bits of exposure add up over the years rnand can cause wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.rnSunscreen DecisionsrnThere are several factors to consider when picking out a sunscreen:
How sunscreens workrnEveryday sunscreen vs out-in-the-sun sunscreenrnUsing a sunscreen alone vs sunscreen plus moisturizerrnUnderstanding the UV-indexrn How to be safe in the sun
Sunscreen Bottom LinernYou've worked hard to take care of your skin by cleansing and moisturizing it. Don't rnundo all those benefits by exposing it to UV radiation. Find a good broad-spectrum rnsunscreen and make its application a part of your daily routine like brushing your rnteeth and bathing
rnSkin Health
Question: What's the Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Skin?rnWhether you know it or not, the health of your skin is being judged everyday. You do rnit yourself when you look in the mirror for blotches and bumps. Other people are also rnlooking at your skin to determine how attractive you are.
Is your skin healthy or unhealthy? How do you know the difference? What are the rncomponents of healthy skin? Knowing the answers to these questions is the first step rnin determining how you should be taking care of your skin. The following are rncomponents of healthy skin.
Even ColorrnConsistent color is a sign of youthful, healthy skin. Studies have shown that consistent, rneven skin tone is a main element of attractiveness. As a matter of fact, the consistency rnof skin color is considered more attractive than having a uneven skin color. rnExamples of uneven skin color are, but not limited to:
BlotchinessrnDark, light or red spotsrnDark circles under eyes
Smooth TexturernHealthy skin looks smooth and feels smooth. This does not mean that the skin is smooth like glass. rnThe skin has tiny peaks around hair follicles and pores, and tiny valleys in between the peaks. rnHowever, these peaks and valleys are consistent throughout the skin, giving it a uniform appearance. rnOn the other hand, unhealthy skin does not have a uniform texture. Examples of texture rnskin problems include:
BumpsrnAcnernBlackheads, whiteheadsrnWrinklesrnScars
HydrationrnHealthy skin is well moisturized. The skin cells slough off but this removing is not noticeable.rnIf too many skin cells remove at the same time, this surely creates problems that we call:
rnFlaking skinrnScaly skin rnMany a time we blame these conditions on dry skin.
Normal SensationsrnNormally, your skin doesn't give you a sign that it's healthy, unless, rnperhaps you're looking at it in a mirror. Healthy skin doesn't have any rnunusual sensations. Only unhealthy skin gives you signs! Signs of rnunhealthy skin sensations include:
ItchingrnBurningrnStingingrnPulling
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