I read recently that dermatologists are stunned at the amount of makeup residue that they see under their patients' eyes when they look at them under magnifiers. These traces contribute hugely to an old, tired look. Why would you spend tons of money on treatments and products if one of the easiest ways to look fresh is so cheap and easy?
Don't smoke, eat fairly healthy, and use at least SPF 15 every day, while not spending much time at all in the sun. (drinking alcohol can cause stress to the skin.) DRINK MORE WATER!
For those stubborn cystic acne, I had a choice to go with Accutane. I chickened out from what I've read on the side effects, of course the lawsuits against them was another thing on my mind. I decided to try "Natures Cure" that you can get at your local Walgreens or Walmart (I'm sure other places as well). I can say that it has helped with my face dramatically.
With that as a side note, I'd like to discuss what you should use regularly on the skin
The 4-step skin care regimen:
Step 1: Cleansing
Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps because they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her, "Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." I agree. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear gel like cleanser if you have oily skin but you have to becareful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night is the best. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French people use. Apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed. Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover. Make sure no trace of makeup is on your face.
In the morning, a splash lukewarm water on your face, that's all you need (I find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about over cleansing skin.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Most people skip exfoliation in their weekly skincare routine but trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. Wonder why men's skin looks more youthful than women's? Its because men tend to exfoliate when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.
Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good (St.Ives tends to be a scrub with big grains).
In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face.
Retinoids can be a miracle skin save. It removes the top layer of dead skin cells while generating collagen to the skin. (Collagen is the skins structural fiber)
Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, "toners are only for copy machines"). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner then buy it and enjoy it :)
Step 3: Moisturize
Everyone I've read disagrees and is a believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from using moisturizers. (The only exception is people with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over moisturize because that can clog pores.
Step 4: Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. A secret you should pass on to your daughter(s).
The number-1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: One for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains Mexoryl or Helioplex, found in Neutrogena products.
I would really like to find something to stop my monthly, menstruation-related breakouts, but I have a feeling that's something I'm going to have to learn to live with until pregnancy or menopause.
The key to my skincare is that I keep my expectations of specific products quite low, which I think is something that most women would benefit from doing.
No matter what, Love yourself and Love the skin you're in!
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