Taking care of your skin is pretty important, considering that it's the first thing people see when they look at you. Not only that, but healthy looking skin is also a sign of a healthy looking person. So if you don't already have a skin care routine that works for you, this one should get you on the right track. When it comes to your skin, these next 11 steps are extremely important and you must follow them as often as you can.
1. Avoid Touching Your Face
Resist the temptation to touch your face at all costs. Touching your face will only transfer bacteria that you don't want on there. Think of all the things you might have touched during the day (especially public things), which in turn you are putting on your face. Super gross. If you really can't resist, at least try to wash your hands with a disinfecting cleanser throughout the day to minimize the damage.
2. Know Your Skin Type
So many people make the mistake of picking up skin products without even looking to see for what type of skin it's good for! This step is so important because based on your skin type, your products CAN actually help you. So if you have dry skin for example, looking for products that specific “For Dry Skin” – it's as easy as that. Check out the above illustration to see what your skin type is.
3. Never, Ever, Pick or Pop Your Pimples
No matter what, and I mean – no matter what – do not EVER pop your pimples – you'll only end up spreading the infection to other areas of your face which in turn will give you EVEN MORE pimples. Instead, focus on piling on the good stuff on it. Anything you have in your home works to at least reduce the size/redness of a pimple. You can use toothpaste, acetaminophen, aloe vera, baking soda, ice cubes, tea bags – the possibilities are endless!
4. Invest in Routine Products
You'll need to start acting like an adult and get yourself some products that you can work with on a daily basis. They don't have to be expensive or over-the-top – they just have to work! For a regular skin care routine you'll need at least the following:
- A good cleanser that you can use both in the morning and at night.
- A toner. Not recommended for dry skin, but for those with combination/oily skin it's a definite must. An amazing toner is one you can find right in your kitchen cupboard: apple cider vinegar. It's great for removing any leftover dirt as well as preventing pimples.
- An exfoliating cleanser that you can use 2-3 times a week. I personally love St. Ives Apricot Scrub (in the above image), but you can pretty much use anything that contains a gentle, exfoliating scrub. Don't wanna shell out the cash? Baking soda also works wonders.
- A good, moisturising cream. This is probably the most important step, as the cream really depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, you'll need an extra rich cream. But, if you have oily skin, you may want to look at lighter creams. Also, if you have lines and wrinkles, then an anti-ageing cream is what you would need.
5. Use Your Products Twice a Day, Every Day
Before you even do anything else in the morning, then first thing you'll need to do is wash your face. First, start by washing your hands with an anti-bacterial hand soap. Only THEN should you touch your face. Use your cleanser to wash your face thoroughly, focusing on your T-zone. Don't forget your neck! Pat your skin dry with a CLEAN towel that you only use for your face. Next, dab some toner on your face using a cotton pad. Once that has dried, gently, and in an upwards motion, massage your preferred cream onto your face and neck. Start at the neck and work your way up towards your forehead. Do this routine every morning and every night before you go to bed. Don't forget to exfoliate 2-3 times a week!
6. Apply a Face Mask on a Regular Basis
Now that you have a good understand of a basic skin care routine, it's time to talk about face masks. Depending on your skin type, you'll want to use different face masks to benefit YOU. There are tons of face masks on the market that you can use, but the best ones are the ones that are home made. Check out our Home Spa section where you'll find hundreds of different natural, home made masks for all skin types.
7. Stick to Your Routine
The most important thing you can do is to STICK TO YOUR ROUTINE. As much work as it may be, don't forget that you're doing this for the well being of yourself and your skin. And if you keep up this routine for a month straight, you'll see a major improvement in your skin. If it's a late night, at least remember to remove your makeup at night by having makeup removing towelettes next to your bed for easy removal.