Respect My Face!

New year, new decade, it’s time to take up some new ways to take care of ourselves.  Since great skin is the basis of looking beautiful, let’s start with steps  to taking great care of our skins.

There are many ways and many things you can do to take care of your skin; but I swear by the basic regiment of  Cleanse -> Tone -> Moisturize.

Your skin is dirty — get rid of the junk… Daily

Everyone should cleanse her skin everyday.  Twice a day, unless you have EXTREMELY sensitive and/or dry skin (then you still should do it once everyday).  At night, before you go to bed. It always grosses me out when I find out someone doesn’t wash her face before going to bed.  After a full day of living, oil, dirt, dust, pollution and dead skin cells (which your skin sheds constantly as long as you breath) are all over your face.  Sleeping with all this icky stuff guarantees you dull complexion and/or (gasp!) pimples.  Wash your face before going to bed.

It’s also a good practice to wash your face in the morning.  That gets rid of all the oil and dead skin cells that are produced during the night, when your skin is repairing itself; it also clears way for a smooth “canvas” for better makeup application.

There is such thing as over-washing.  So unless you work in a coal mine or sewer and get your face covered with crap constantly, you should not wash your face more than twice a day.  Over-washing will dry out your skin and could increase its sensitivity.

Your skin is thirsty — use a facial toner

This is the step that most people skip, but shouldn’t.  55% of our bodies is water (60% if you’re a guy).  Our skin contains much of this 55%.  Water plays a huge part in keeping our skin healthy.  Think newborn babies: they all have super soft, supple skin is because, beside their cellular tissues being brand new, that as much as 75% of their tiny bodies is water.  Plants are also great examples.  Wilted plants, lacking water, are all wrinkly, lifeless and sad.  Well-watered plants are healthy-looking, supple and beautiful.  Ever had the problem of having dry skin but feels oily at the same time?  Most likely your skin is dehydrated, a.k.a. lacking water, and it is over-producing oil to compensate the dryness.

You skin needs water.  Drinking good amount of water helps prevent dehydration of body (and skin), and using a toner add water directly to your skin.  The key is NEVER USE A TONER WITH ALCOHOL in it.  Alcohol dries out your skin so it is counter-productive.

And what’s the difference between splashing tap water and using a facial toner?  Much like the difference between drinking plain, distilled water versus drinking mineral-rich spring water or vitamin water.  One hydrates, the other also hydrates… and supplements minerals and vitamins.

Your skin is hungry — feed it with a moisturizer

Moisturizers provide lubrication, protection and nutrients to your skin.  Moisturizers, which are made with oil or ingredients of oil-like properties, also seal in the hydration you just added to your skin with the toner.  Without the oils forming a protective barrier on your skin, water can evaporate out of it easily and quickly.

And moisturizers feed your skin with nutrients.  Different vitamins, amino acids, lipids and other components that aid in cellular repair can be found in most moisturizers.  Beside eating healthy and nutritious food , applying a moisturizer is the most direct way to feed your skin.

It’s all about the balance

Healthy skin depends on a the right balance of its water and oil content; cleansing gets rid of the stuff that is no longer needed or wanted.  Regardless what your skin type is, these basic 3 steps always applies.   Much like how your body works and what it needs, your skin needs:

• To get rid of waste and toxins (cleanse)
• To stay hydrated (tone)
• To be fed (moisturize)

So starting today, follow this simple regiment and take your first step towards great skin.

The second step to great skin is making sure to use the right products for your skin type.  More on that later.

Photos: PhotoXpress