Skin Care Basics

Smooth and flawless skin is the most highly desired element of beauty unless you were born with it and have maintained it; then and only then could you consider yourself lucky. For the rest of us, the quest for good skin can sometimes seem elusive. Making things harder are other factors completely beyond our control. Genes for example, they play a huge role in all of this; they dictate hereditary characteristics that can’t be altered except divinely or by the environment and its ambitious beings hence not even the very best of lotions can ever change the basic genetic makeup of our skin type. It simply can’t be altered.

Similarly, skin allergies and its sensitivities to the different skincare and beauty ingredients and pollution give us something extra to think about as allergies also tend to run hereditarily and with some being complex, it may be difficult for skin care measures to be as effective as we would hope.

Stress nko ? That’s just another detrimental factor that can cause over drying on already dry skin and also trigger breakouts in oily or difficult skin though it hasn’t been traced to inherited traits. Unfortunately, we cannot really avoid stress. The best case scenario is that we aim at mastering stress management techniques that work effectively again and again.

Smoking, despite its grave medical consequences is one of the worst things to float in the air around the skin. A regular smoking habit in your twenties and thirties can age your skin by so much as ten to fifteen years, but may only become visible in your forties. The pursing lip action whilst smoking cigarettes gradually results in permanent lip lines all around the mouth; this can make the face look agey. An accumulation of smoking years highlight an unattractive yellowish cast on the skin and dark circles around the eye become more prominent so should you be a smoker, try to think ahead from now and note that it ages the face measurably. Smoking also has a good chance of robbing you of that youthful radiant look so why not consider giving it up now.

Severe sun exposure is equally very harmful to the skin. There is a common myth that black skin is immune to the ultra violent rays of the sun and doesn’t burn; this is sooooooooo not true. Sunburn has no regard for skin colour other than the melanin proportions in us (the pigment that determines skin colour). If you limit exposure to the sun and are careful to wear sunscreen as well as protective clothing’s, sunglasses and a hat, you are applying a more proactive approach that can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and quite possibly skin cancer. Little or no melanin in the body results in albinism or partial albinism and if such is the case for you, it is compulsory to take extra care to protect your tender skin.

Good skin isn’t only just about what you put on your skin but the manner in which you also live your life. Getting adequate sleep helps us manage the daily stress that we face either as business owners, at the workplace and on a general basis. You may have heard this before but it is true that drinking plenty of water and lots of it too gives good skin. In a temperate region such as ours, body water cools the skin when it’s extremely hot thus lots of water allows easier perspiration. Water also contributes to the regulation of the body’s temperature, excellent functioning of the regulatory system and high mental enhancement all of which are proven.

A FEW EXTRAS

§ The How; learn to be your own skin care expert. It is important to look at your own face in the mirror and see for yourself what’s going on. The idea is not to have just one product or just one daily routine or skin care, its best to have options at your fingertips for whatever you may face in the mirror.

§ Cleansing; it’s amazing how many women in their 30s and 40s continue to use bar soap to cleanse the face. Women of all ages should be concerned about cleansing their face and not stripping it! We all should be aware that our skin changes, depending on the season, the climate we are in, travel e.t.c. The skin changes with time. Even if you have oily skin in your teens; it’s quite possible that your skin is only partly oily and may be normal later on.

§ Periodic times; In dry seasons, your skin may be drier on the surface, but oily underneath. Around the rainy season, your skin may act oilier whilst with pregnant women; the skin may become much drier or much oilier. Don’t let the skincare manufacturers fool you; it’s not about switching around products or routines rather it’s about having the right choices at your fingertips.

SKIN CARE NECESSITIES

Gel Cleanser: – gentle, non stripping formula for oily skin or in hot weather for all skin types.

Creamy Cleanser: – Choose one that rinses of with water.

Rich Facial Cream; – use on your face.

Oil Free Lotion: – for oily skin.

Non-Oily eye makeup remover; takes off make-up appropriately

Eye cream, Body Lotion; for moisture

Pumice stone – keep in shower to smooth rough spots and cellules on feet.

SKIN CARE EXTRAS

Toner- Non alcoholic formula, often sold as a must use.

Gentle graining scrub: – for days when you really need to exfoliate, (skip if you have sensitive skin) help to clear black heads.

Smoothing Mask: – look for hydrating, creamy formula, cucumber is a natural smoother, use to calm the face when especially tired or after sun or wind exposure.

Clay Mask: – for oily, acne prone skin, or for all skin type for deep cleansing in the dry season.

Dry Oil Spray for Body: – may be applied in the shower.

Loofah or body brush: – keep in shower to exfoliate arms, legs, elbows, knees and thighs.

Balm or heavy Cream protectant;- for lips, cuticles and face (in extreme cold or dry conditions).

Till my next post! ciao

~ by Oluwayemisi Dada on February 10, 2008.