Taking Proper Care Of Your Skin

As a beauty junkie and former representative for a high end skin care line from France, I can confidently say that I am well-versed in regards to the ins and outs of the beauty industry. I've sampled products from what seems like every skin care company that exists, and I've even ordered products from home shopping networks.

The following are tips on how to properly care for the largest organ of your body; your skin. It's the first thing people see when they meet you, resulting in a lasting first impression. I will not discuss any specific product line, but I will share what I have learned about effectively caring for your skin.

First and foremost, it's necessary to determine what skin type you have. You can visit a beauty consultant at a high end department store, answer questions on a beauty website that offers assistance, or just apply my tips.

For dry skin, you would notice splotchy red patches on your face or typical flaking. This is especially true during the colder months of the year. Normal skin is just that; there are no major issues with your skin. Oily skin will have a shine to it, and sometimes, you may even notice seepage from your pores. Combination skin will have properties of both dry and oily skin. You may be prone to acne with oily or combination skin, have dry patches every so often, or you find yourself blotting excess oil throughout the day.

After you've determined your skin type, it's necessary to use products geared towards your specific problems. There are cleansers for every kind of skin. Choose one that addresses your issues. Never, ever use soap on your skin. I don't care if some soaps advertise that they can be used to cleanse your face. They will dry out your skin and strip it of the essential oils that are present. Use your cleanser with a washcloth or your fingertips and scrub gently for one minute. Rinse or wipe off with a washcloth. If you really want your pores cleared out of all that "gunk" that piles up, you can consider a sonic brush or a pore extraction mask. I prefer the former, because it really gets your skin clean. It's very important that you wash your face twice a day, even if you don't wear makeup. Throughout the day, pollutants, toxins and dirt pile up, so you still need to cleanse at night.

Step two should involve some type of serum that meets the needs of your specific skin type. Serums penetrate deeper into the skin than moisturizers and are more potent in targeting your skin's issues.

Your last step is to moisturize with the proper face cream, not a body lotion. It must be a moisturizer specifically designed for the skin on your face. I know those of you who are oily are thinking, "I would never use a moisturizer. It would just make my skin oilier". That is completely false. The reason your skin is oily is because it lacks moisture. Sounds like a contradiction, I know, but, in essence, your skin is dehydrated and the moisture needs to be replaced. Don't confuse oiliness with moisture. Moisturizers hydrate your skin to keep it in balance so your skin will not produce excess oil.

These three basic steps, which I call non-negotiable, will keep your skin healthy and in balance, if done consistently. I promise, you will see a noticeable difference.