How to Care For Your Facial Skin

First impressions really do count whether you want to admit it or not. When your face looks good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you have the confidence to make a killer first impression. With a couple easy steps and a little habit, you can look good every day, no matter what.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gentle facial cleanser
• Warm water
• Clay Mask
• Nose strips
• Lotion

1. The first step is ritual. You have to get into the habit of washing your face every day. If you don't, the dirt and oil builds up, and you get things like blackheads and pimples.
   
   When you wake up in the morning, wash your face. When you get home in the evenings from work, wash your face. The key is to wash your face twice a day, normally after an extensive amount of exposure to an environment.

2. 

   Your every day face wash needs to be gentle. You should be aware of your skin type - whether it's oily or dry, normal or sensitive - and you want to get a wash that applies to your needs. Why?
   
   If your face is naturally oily, a wash that is specifically designed for those types will have ingredients to counteract the oily production and keep your skin soft and clear for a majority of the day. If your skin tends toward dryness, the wash will have moisturizers that will keep your skin soft and supple.
   
   It may take you a couple tries to get the right face wash for your skin type. I recommend asking another member of immediate family what brand they use and start there.

3. Now that you've got your face wash, its time to actually do the washing. Most people think, the hotter the water, the cleaner the wash. It works with dishes, so it should work on skin, right?!
   
   Wrong. So wrong. You want a temperature half way between pleasantly hot and luke warm. The temperature will open up your pores without over taxing your skin.
   
   Wet your face, apply the wash, rub your skin in gentle circular upward motions for about thirty seconds, and then rinse by cupping your hands under the water.
   
   Once you've gotten all the soap off your face, drop the temperature of the water to luke warm/almost cold, and splash your face a couple times. This will help close up the pores and keep your skin looking youthful.

4. 

   Sometimes, no matter how diligent we are with daily face washing, we get blackheads. Or, sometimes its just that the pores on your nose are larger than anywhere else, and you get whiteheads. Either way, a nose strip every three or four days is highly recommended.
   
   The nose strip uses unique chemicals to adhere to the clogged pores and pull out the black or white heads. The strips, when removed, will have the tiny clogs stuck to strip. It's kind of gross.
   
   I personally prefer the Biore strips, they work very well. Be careful though, when you peel them off it can feel akin to ripping duck tape off your arm. If you've got highly sensitive skin, wet the strip after it's hardened to aid in removal.

5. 

   Another weekly addition to the regime is a clay or facial mask. The same day you do the nose strip, you should use a clay mask or warming facial mask. After you've applied the strip, wash your face like normal, dry your skin, and then apply the mask as directed.
   
   Usually five or ten minutes later, you can remove the mask with slighty hot/luke warm water and a washcloth or your hands.
   
   The mask helps to tighten your pores and remove old skin cells. When you're done, you'll notice your skin is firmer, fresher looking, and generally has a healthy glow.
   
   You need to choose your mask carefully. Some masks are harsher than others and can dry your skin out horribly. If you're not used to using them, start with a gentle facial scrub. Again, you can ask another woman in your family for a recommendation if you like.

6. 

   For dry or extra dry skin a facial lotion is highly recommended. As you get into your mid to late twenties its a good idea to use lotion anyways as it will help restore moisture and vitamins.
   
   Lotions work similarly to face washes in the fact that they come in different skin types. Make sure you pick one that matches your skin type.
   
   It's advised that you get one that has a low to moderate SPF factor, as your facial skin reacts the harshest to sunlight. You can also get one that has acne medicine in it for an added boost.

7. 

   For those one or two times when a pimple breaks out an acne cream comes in handy. After you've washed your face before bed, dab a little on the pimple and rub it in. If you can find a vanishing cream you can use it during the day as well because it will fade into your skin.
   
   For those pimples that are stubborn, you can crush a plain aspirin with a couple drips of water to make a paste and apply it at night. This is ONLY recommended for one night, as it dries out your skin alot.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes if you hit the internet and visit a website, you can get sample tubes of the products to try out. Two or three times will generally speaking tell you if the product is right for your skin
• If you're unsure about your skin type, ask your mother or a sister what brand they use. It's the best starting place, as you most likely share similar types.
• Don't use excessively hot water.
• If your skin developes patches of red or bumpy spots, quit using the product immediately and rinse with regular warm water on a regular basis.

[gatorgirl182]

on 9/1/2008 Great article! *****'s!

[Tippy]

on 6/17/2008 Good information. Thanks.