Your face and eyes are your visual identity, therefore proper care of them is necessary. Your first step to a smooth, supple complexion is a well-balanced, nourishing skin care regimen. Moreover, best skin care practices now helps slow the onset of signs of aging and maintains a youthful glow. A smart home skin care regimen will ensure you put your best face forward.
Face Care
Step 1
Cleanse your face at least twice a day with tepid -- not hot -- water. Avoid washing your face with soap unless it is a soap recommended by your dermatologist. Be wary of spending your money on cosmetics, lotions, creams or "miracle concoctions" that promise to completely erase wrinkles. These types of products rarely produce the results you're after. It's best to prevent wrinkles from appearing in the first place.
Apply a moisturizer to your face and body promptly after showering. This locks moisture into the skin, and is especially important during cold months of the year and as you get older. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and Natural Resources states, "The body's moisture-producing/moisture-locking glands become less active after age 40." Get into the habit of moisturizing your skin on a frequent basis.
Step 2
Exfoliate your skin to get rid of dead skin. Exfoliation uncovers newer, undamaged skin, resulting in a more youth appearance. Speak with a dermatologist about prescription skin care measures such as Retin-A, alpha hydroxy acid preparations or skin peels.
Step 3
Avoid vigorous scrubbing of your skin. Be gentle with your skin to avoid abrading or stretching it. Handling your skin too roughly may damage pores.
Step 4
Nourish your skin by eating a well-balanced diet, drinking lots of water and engaging in regular exercise. Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. What you put into your body affects how it appears on the outside.
Step 5
Avoid the yo-yo dieting trap. Fluctuating weight patterns can have an adverse affect on your skin.
Step 6
Refrain from bad lifestyle practices such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Such habits can cause premature aging and weathering of your skin. Healthy lifestyle choices are essential to your skin looking its best.
Step 7
Avoid tanning beds and sun overexposure. According to The Partnership for Women's Health at Columbia University, the sun is your skin's worst enemy. Accumulated sun exposure throughout the course of a lifetime is detrimental to the health of your skin. Skin changes such as wrinkles, roughness, broken blood vessels, brown spots and cancer are all the result of overexposure to the sun.
Examine your body on a regular basis for suspicious growths and spots. Skin cancers can result from too much sun exposure. One form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which appears in the form of a tiny lump, bleeds and scabs over. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer appears on the skin in form of a wound or a scab that doesn't heal within a 6-week period. But the most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma, which can appear on any area of the body. Melanoma spots are larger than a pencil eraser in size, asymmetrical in shape and irregular in color with uneven borders. Melanoma cancer can be cured if diagnosed in the early stages before it bores deeply into the skin.
Rules for protecting your skin from damaging rays of the sun include applying a sunscreen that provides both UVA and UVB radiation protection, refraining from sun exposure between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and using an umbrella.
Eye Care
Step 1
Wear sunglasses to lessen chances of sun damage to skin around the eyes. Wearing sunglasses also reduces the need for squinting, which can result in fine lines and wrinkling of the skin surrounding the eyes. Choose sun glasses with adequate UV protection. UV radiation from the sun can lead to benign growths on the eye, cataracts and cancer of the eyelids and skin surrounding the eyes. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to block out the sun to help block UV radiation is just as important for the eyes as it is for the face.
Step 2
Prevent droopy eyes and eye bags by eliminating excessive amounts of salt from your diet. Drink lots of water every day and avoid dehydrating drinks such as coffee and alcohol.
Step 3
Apply an under-eye cream or serum to help keep the skin around your eyes smooth and supple. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these creams work by causing a temporarily constriction of blood vessels to prevent fluid buildup and by firming up the skin by applying an invisible film to the skin under the eyes. When using an under-eye cream, apply by tapping the skin lightly to help stimulate the skin and avoid stretching it.
Look for under-eye serums containing vitamins C and E. "Elle Magazine" says these vitamins are effective anti-aging ingredients, stating, "While vitamin C aids in collagen production and skin elasticity, vitamin E soothes and protects."
Hyaluronic acid is another effective ingredient found in the most effective under-eye serums. This ingredient helps plump up the skin cells and helps draw moisture from the air.
Retinol is an effective under-eye serum ingredient because it stimulates collagen production and skin cell turnover. It helps reduce skin imperfections such as fine lines and sun spots as well as strengthening the skin. Since a little bit retinol goes a long way, a sparing amount should be used nightly just before bedtime.
If you have sensitive skin, you may find that an under-eye serum containing neuropeptides to be a more preferable choice. Neuropeptides stimulate collagen production just like retinol, but are gentler to the skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Visit your dermatologist at least once a year for a complete examination of your body's skin. Get the whole family acclimated to better skin care practices.
- See your dermatologist immediately if you notice any suspicious-looking growths or new spots on your skin.
Things You'll Need
- Facial cleanser
- Facial scrub
- Skin moisturizer
- Healthy diet
- Sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses
- Under eye cream or serum
References
- Columbia University: The Partnership for Women's Health at Columiba University Talks About Skin Care
- University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: Skin Care and Cosmetics
- Mayo Clinic: Skin Care: Five Tips for Healthy Skin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes - Treatment
- The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Spring 1999 Volume 4, No. 2: News and Views: Sunglasses Offer UV Protection Beyond Summer's Dog Days
- American Optometric Association: Shopping Guide for Sunglasses: Why People Need Sunglasses
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