The largest organ you have, your skin, protects your body from toxins and bacteria, regulates your temperature and provides you with a sense of touch. With all your skin does, keeping this organ in good shape is important for your overall health. Although the skin has its own mechanisms for resisting and repairing damage, following a care routine appropriate for your skin type helps keep your skin healthy and looking good.
Washing Your Skin
Washing your skin is important for removing both dirt and dead skin cells. Wash your face twice daily by massaging it with a washcloth, lukewarm water and a cleanser formulated for your skin type. Avoid anti-bacterial soaps, which upset your skin's pH balance. As you wash, check your skin for any new growths, discolorations or injuries. Pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing, and avoid talc, which may trap moisture and encourage yeast growth.
Exfoliating
Gentle exfoliation helps remove the skin's outer layer, which may be dry and damaged, to let the healthy lower layer show. It can improve your skin's health if you have excessively oily or dry skin, or suffer from acne or blackheads, according to the website CareFair. Exfoliating options include cloths and buffs as well as creams containing alpha hydroxy acids. Apply moisturizer after exfoliating. While people with oily skin can exfoliate up to five times weekly, if you have dry or sensitive skin, limit exfoliation to once a week.
Applying Skin Care Products
Occasionally applying toner after you wash your face can help restore the pH balance your cleanser may have disrupted. Sunscreen is important for protecting your skin from sun damage and skin cancer, write experts from Princeton University. At least 20 minutes before going out, apply a liberal amount of SPF 30 sunscreen to skin not covered by clothing. After washing your face at night, apply a light moisturizer around your eyes and to any dry areas.
Dry and Oily Skin Types
If you have dry skin, wash only once a day and bathe no longer than 15 minutes, advises the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Avoid harsh cleansers like deodorant soaps. After washing, apply an oil-based cream moisturizer, or for extremely dry skin, a body oil. If you have oily skin, you may need to wash your face up to three times daily. Alternatively, blot your skin with facial blotting paper to absorb excess oil. To further reduce oil, apply a mild astringent after washing your face.
Misconceptions
Some topical skin care treatments have little or no effect, warns Madisonville Community College. Many retinol products contain too little retinol to smooth wrinkles, but larger amounts could irritate skin. Collagen and elastin creams can't penetrate the skin deeply enough to improve the skin's health or appearance. Burning and redness aren't signs a product is working, they're signs the product is irritating your skin. If a product causes irritation, swap it for a gentler one.
Member Comments