The skin is the single largest organ of the human body. Caring for it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Healthy, well-treated skin is attractive and a source of self-esteem. Taking care of this great big organ is really a matter of simple little tasks – here are just a few of them.
To keep your skin looking good, you must learn how to wash properly. You don’t want to use the wrong facial wash or scrub hard, because that can just irritate your skin. Find that right product for your skin type, rub in a circular manner and rinse well with warm water.
To keep the skin around your eyes looking youthful, doing something as simple as just buying sunglasses can do wonders. Sunglasses don’t just make you look cool. Over time, squinting into the sunlight can cause wrinkles. Putting on a pair of shades before you leave the house will prevent that from happening.
It is okay to moisturize. Although excess oil can be the cause of acne, many acne medications overly dry out the skin and moisturizers are the best way to remedy this. Just be sure to buy face-specific moisturizers that are labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means that they will not clog your pores.
Make sure your gloves and socks are dry prior to wearing. Socks and gloves that are wet will irritate the skin, causing it to crack and itch, and in worst cases, a flare-up of eczema.
Red nose, red eyes, splotchy face: it must be cold season again! Keep your colleagues from noticing that your sinuses are suffering by using a concealer with a yellow base on problem areas. This will counteract any redness you may have. Bonus tip: draw white highlighter just under your bottom lash line and at the corner of your eyes to make them seem brighter.
A good way to take care of your skin and to avoid it from being burned is to stay out of the sun. You don’t have to stay out of the sun at all times but primarily at the sun’s peak hours. You want to try and avoid the sun around the times of 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, this should help your skin stay protected.
Focus your skin care regiment onto your legs. Cuts and scratches on your lower legs take a while to heal and they are vulnerable to infection. Using a moisturizer can help prevent small openings from forming and shaving with a razor that has moisture strips, can also be beneficial.
One of the biggest obstacles in your skin care war is smoking. Smoking not only gives you wrinkles, and black lungs but it also progressively ages the body. It is so bad that the sun’s damage pales in comparison. Studies have shown that smokers will see aging in places that the sun cannot reach, such as under your arms.
If you find that have shaving-related skin problems such as redness or bumps, try to follow the direction in which your hair naturally grows. When you shave with the grain, i.e. when you shave in the direction that the hair is growing toward, you irritate your skin less because you’re not tugging on the hairs as violently.
To keep the skin on your neck as healthy as the skin on your face, use the same cleansing, toning and moisturizing products on your neck, that you do on your face. Your neck can actually age more quickly than your face, so don’t stop your daily skin care routine at your chin.
Your skin care routine should include eye cream. Many people are tempted to use other products around their eyes instead of something that was specifically designed for them. The area around your eyes is extremely delicate, and eye creams include less ingredients that can be harsh on your skin. An eye cream also helps to keep your eyes from getting irritated.
If you must use some sort of bleach on your skin, use a natural bleach. Even sensitive facial bleaches can sting and damage your skin. Try using a natural bleach instead. Mix milk and a bit of lemon juice. Combined, the two make a gentle bleach. Apply this to your skin.
To get the benefits of exfoliation without exposing your skin to its potential risks, always exfoliate gently. Avoid harsh, abrasive products that can irritate and even damage the skin. Gentle exfoliation treatment assists your skin’s natural process of sloughing off dead cells leaving your skin looking, feeling, and actually being much more healthy.
As soon as you begin to notice the formation of red or purple stretch marks, consult your dermatologist about prescribing a topical tretinoin preparation. These creams and lotions are the only effective treatment for stretch marks, but only when they are applied shortly after the initial appearance of the marks.
When cleansing your face, always remember to clean first with the cleanser of your choice and warm water. This cleansing process will open your pores and remove dirt and oil. Follow up your cleansing process with a cold water rinse to reduce pore size and refresh your skin. Finish up your routine with a toner to refine the pores and give your skin a glowing finish.
Do your skin (and the rest of your body) a favor and don’t smoke! Smoking constricts blood circulation and causes skin to become dry, wrinkled and paper-thin. Even if you are already a smoker, and you are already noticing these terrible effects on your skin, you can stop them! When you stop smoking, your skin and your body will begin to regenerate. It’s never too late!
Skin care is like any big job – really it is just a bunch of little jobs. The preceding tips are only some of the little jobs you can integrate into an effective skin care routine. Take advantage of the ones that feel right to you, and always be on the lookout for more little skin jobs.