It’s never too late to start a proper skin care routine, and caring for the skin on your face is actually a lot simpler than you might think.
Facial skin care consists of three basic steps: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. This basic routine can be enhanced, but when caring for your skin, simpler is often better.
Cleansing removes dust, pollutants, grease and extra oil from your skin, thereby preventing damage to your skin. Dot your face and neck with a good cleansing lotion or cream and gently massage it into your skin using upward strokes. Use a soft facecloth to wipe your face in a gentle patting fashion (don’t rub). Cleansing should be done at least twice a day, in the morning (as part of a complete facial skin care routine) and evening (on a standalone basis). Water soluble cleansers are the best.
Toning not only cleanses the skin further and removes any remnants that you may have left behind, but also cools, nourishes, hydrates and freshens up your skin. It tightens up the skin and closes up pores that may have opened up while deep cleansing the face. Choose an alcohol-free toner to avoid drying.
Moisturizing provides your skin with needed hydration and proper nutrients to keep it healthy. Treat your skin daily with a good moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, and use night cream to restore skin while you sleep. Moisturizers work best when applied on damp skin, so don’t dry your face completely after cleansing.
You might want to add another step occasionally. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, resulting in a fresh, healthy glow. Over time, regular exfoliation will increase the skin’s capacity to absorb moisture, reduce fine lines and diminish acne. This process is only necessary about once or twice a week, depending on your skin type and environmental conditions. Excessive or harsh exfoliation can cause damage to your skin, so don’t overdo it.