The basic steps to good skin care

Jet, March 3, 2003

Beautiful skin means healthy skin, and it can be yours by simply adopting an easy skin-care ritual. The basic steps to a flawless face consist of two key elements: cleansing and moisturizing on a regular basis.

CLEANSING

Cleansing removes impurities from the skin's surface and encourages a more radiant appearance.

When selecting the proper facial cleanser, it is important to be aware of the condition that your skin is currently in so that you use products suitable to your particular skin type. The basic three skin types are dry, normal/combination and oily.

Keep in mind that your skin type could change and may be affected by the season or the climate where you live. If this happens, alter the products that you are using to suit your needs.

Those with dry skin usually have tiny pores and an ashy or dull appearance with some flaking on the skin's surface. It's best to pick a mild soap or cleanser with an off base and a low-to-no alcohol toner to prevent excess dryness.

Normal/combination skin can be frustrating because you're dealing with dryness on the cheeks and oil in the T-zone area, which includes the forehead, nose and chin. Reduce the oil in the T-zone area by washing with products that contain glycerin, which draws moisture to the skin. Follow up with an astringent to keep the oil in the affected areas under control.

People with oily skin are often more prone to acne breakouts, usually have larger, more visible pores, and the skin may look shiny even after cleansing. Wash the face gently with oil-free, water-based products and remove any dirt left behind with an astringent formulated for oily skin.

Whatever your skin type, get into the habit of washing your face at least twice a day. Ladies, don't get lazy. Before bed be sure to remove any traces of makeup that may clog pores, which can lead to unwanted breakouts.

MOISTURIZING

After the skin has been thoroughly cleansed, the next step is to apply moisturizer. A big misconception is that this process is only needed for dry skin types. The truth is that all skin types require moisture that should be applied accordingly. The purpose of moisturizing is to restore the oil-water balance lost during the removal of bacteria back to the skin's surface.

Experts recommend that you apply moisturizing lotions or creams to the skin within 3 minutes of rinsing the face. To fight against the damaging effects of the sun, use a moisturizer with an added SPF.

Once this process of skin care becomes second nature to you, beautiful skin is sure to follow.