Proper Skincare Regimen

Knowing how to properly care for your skin can keep your skin glowing with health and help you avoid mistakes that could harm or prematurely age your skin. There's more to good skincare than washing, drying and occasionally slapping on some moisturizer. While routine skincare doesn't have to be complicated, you'll get better results by tailoring your routine to meet the needs of your skin type.

Basic Care

If you have normal skin, gently wash your face twice daily with a mild, fragrance-free cleansing milk and lukewarm water. To prevent both find lines and acne breakouts, choose a cleanser with salicylic acid alpha hydroxy acid. Bathe at least every other day, but avoid long baths, hot water, scrubbing and frequent washing, which can over-dry and irritate your skin. After washing, pat dry, but leave some moisture on your skin. Applying a moisturizer at this time helps hold in moisture, keeping your skin soft and supple.

Sun Protection

For further protection from fine lines, sagging, age spots and melanoma, half an hour before going out, apply sunscreen to any skin that will be exposed to sun. Choose a formula with an SPF of at least 15 and that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, advise experts from Columbia University. Sunscreen is important even if you have dark skin and usually don't sunburn. To speed up your skin care routine, try a tinted moisturizer with an SPF rating instead of a separate foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen.

Proper Care for Your Skin Type

Dry, oily and combination skin types benefit from special care. You may need to cleanse oily skin up to three times daily, but cleansing only in the evening keeps dry skin clean without over-drying it. For combination skin, you'll need a mild cleanser that doesn't completely strip the skin's natural oils. Whereas a once daily application of light moisturizer may suffice for oily skin, dry skin may need a heavier moisturizer several times daily.

Managing Skin Problems

Reduce blackheads and enlarged pores with a twice weekly application of a mild exfoliation scrub containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids, or azelaic acid. Skip exfoliation during an acne breakout, though, because friction can worsen acne. To lighten discolorations like age spots, try a skin-lightener containing hydroquinone or kojic acid, but use the product with care to avoid skin irritation. Creams with caffeine and vitamin K can lessen dark undereye circles and those with retinol help smooth fine lines.

Considerations

Some skin conditions may need additional medical care. Severe acne may require antibiotics. If your skin is often flaky, itchy and inflamed, you may have eczema, rather than just dry skin. An itchy, red rash may be a fungal infection requiring anti-fungal medication. Persistent facial redness is a sign of rosacea, which can worsen without treatment. Change in shape of a mole or other skin growth may indicate melanoma. If you have a skin problem that's causing discomfort or change in appearance, consult a health care provider.