The right skin care regimen helps to hydrate your skin, prevent breakouts and maintain soft, supple skin, but finding the right regimen isn't always an easy process. There are hundreds of drug and department-store skin care options, and choosing the right one for your particular skin can seem like an intimidating process. The key to finding the perfect skin care regimen for you is to figure out your skin type first and then choose the appropriate products.
Determining Your Skin Type
Step 1
Remove any makeup, and wash your face with a cleanser designed for normal skin.
Step 2
Rinse the soap completely from your skin.
Step 3
Pat your face dry using a soft towel, and wait about one hour. Don't use any face cream, makeup, moisturizer or other skin care product while you're waiting.
Step 4
Evaluate your skin. If it's shiny, especially on your nose, forehead or chin, your skin is oily. If your skin feels dry, tight or itchy, your skin is dry. If your face feels just fine, your skin is normal.
For Oily Skin
Step 1
Use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid every day to help keep pores clear and prevent pimples.
Step 2
Apply a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or tea tree oil directly on any active blemishes to quickly clear them up.
Step 3
Use an oil-free lotion for moisturizer. Look for one with an SPF 30 or higher to protect against sun damage that can make your skin look older. You may feel tempted to forgo moisturizer entirely if your skin is oily, but letting your skin get too dry can actually make your oil glands produce even more.
Step 4
Blot your face with blotting paper during the day if you need to prevent shine.
For Dry Skin
Step 1
Wash your face twice a day with a creamy cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid.
Step 2
Layer a moisturizing serum beneath your regular moisturizer to boost your skin's hydration without clogging your pores.
Step 3
Use a thick, emollient moisturizing cream that contains water-attracting ingredients like glycerin. Opt for one that contains SPF 30 or higher for daytime use so that your skin doesn't get sun damage-related wrinkles and dark spots.
For Normal Skin
Step 1
Choose a gentle cleanser with antioxidants like soy or berry extracts, and use it twice a day.
Step 2
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. It's the single best way to protect your skin against the signs of aging, according to "Allure" magazine.
Step 3
Use a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer during the day to reduce irritation, and apply a nighttime moisturizer that contains retinoids to speed up cell turnover and reduce the signs of aging.
Tips and Warnings
- If your skin is oily in some parts and dry or normal in other parts, you have combination skin. Treat it by using an oily skin regimen on the oily parts and a normal or dry skin regimen on the rest of your face.
- Skin allergies can pop up suddenly, so if you experience rashes, extreme irritation or intense itchiness after using a new product, discontinue its use until you check with your dermatologist.
Things You'll Need
- Cleanser
- Spot treatment
- Moisturizer
- Blotting paper
- Serum
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