How to Have Perfect Skin

Everyone has had to deal with one skin issue or another at some point in their lives, whether it's acne, dryness, sensitivity, oiliness, discoloration or wrinkles. Thankfully, most of these issues are easily dealt with, if you're willing to give your face a little love and attention. Start with Step 1 below for some helpful instructions on how to properly care for your face and achieve fresh, dewy-skinned perfection!  

                                           Developing a Skincare Routine
                 

Figure out your skin type. The first step to perfect skin is to figure out a skincare routine that works for you. Everybody's skin is unique, so what works for another person may not work for you. Take a long, hard look at your skin and decide whether it's normal, sensitive, dry, combination, blemish-prone or oily.

• If you have normal skin, you're lucky! Your skin doesn't get oily, your pores are small, your skin tone looks even and you rarely suffer from breakouts.
• Sensitive skin tend to be very reactive - it may become dry, itchy or irritated depending on the weather, your lifestyle and the products you use.
• Dry skin usually feels tight after cleansing and can suffer from roughness or flakiness, especially when exposed to cold weather or dry air.
• Combination skin means that your skin can be dry and oily. It might be flaky and rough around the edges, but oily along the t-zone.
• Blemish-prone skin is just that - prone to blackheads, pimples and excess oil. Even though you try to keep it clean, it still suffers from breakouts.
• Oily skin can become greasy and shiny-looking within an hour after washing. The oil may even seep through your make up and cause it to slide off.
• In addition, whether you have a light skin tone, medium skin tone or dark skin tone will also dictate what issues your skin is prone to, and should be taken into consideration when choosing

                 

Skincare Products Wash your face twice a day - no more, no less. Washing your face is super important as it cleans away dirt, oil, bacteria and traces of make-up that would otherwise be left sitting on your skin.

1. However, many people believe that the more they wash their face, the better - but this is a mistake. Overwashing is just as bad as not washing at all, it dries out the skin and can make it red and irritable.

• Stick to washing your face twice a day - once in the morning to cleanse any oil that has built up overnight, and once in the evening to remove any dirt and make-up from the day.
• Use a cleanser that is suited to your skin type (it should be stated clearly on the bottle). When possible, try to avoid using cleansers that are scented, colored, or full of chemicals, as these can be irritating on your skin, or just ineffective. When it comes to choosing products for your face - the simpler the better.
• To cleanse your face, splash your face with warm water. Hot water can be too harsh and drying on your skin, but warm water is perfect as it opens the pores. Squirt some of the cleanser into your hands and use your fingers to work it into your face using gentle, circular motions.
• Then rinse your face with cold water (to close the pores) , making sure that you get all of the product off. Use a clean towel to gently pat your face dry (rubbing is too rough on your skin). Or - even better - allow your face to dry naturally.

                      

1. Use toner. Toner is the most overlooked product in skincare, and the step that many women skip. And while it's not absolutely necessary in your skincare routine, toning has many benefits.  Firstly, toner helps to remove any remaining dirt, make-up or dead skin cells that your cleanser leaves behind, leaving your skin squeaky clean. Secondly, toner helps to restore the skin's PH balance to its ideal, slightly acidic level. Thirdly, toner leaves skin slightly damp, which enables it to better absorb any products (like moisturizers, serums and sunscreens) that you apply afterwards.

• Toners are also a great way of adding certain active ingredients to your skincare routine. What these active ingredients are will depend entirely on your skin type. People with blemish-prone skin will benefit from toners containing beta and alpha hydroxy acids which exfoliate the skin, people with dry skin should opt for moisturizing toners containing vitamin E or aloe vera, and people looking for anti-aging benefits should look for toners containing anti-oxidents (to repair the skin) and retinoids (to combat wrinkles). However, it's important to note that people with dry or sensitive skin should avoid using alcohol-based toners as these can be too harsh and drying.
• Most toners come in liquid form and are very easy to use. Simply squirt a little of the toner onto a clean cotton pad and gently swipe over the face and neck. Leave the toner on the skin, there's no need to wipe off.

                          

1. Apply moisturizer. No matter what your skin type, moisturizing is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. Moisturizers hydrate the skin by holding water in the outermost layer of the skin. They also protect the skin and improve skin tone and texture. However, like with other skincare products, the moisturizer you choose will vary greatly depending on your skin type. People with normal skin should opt for a water-based moisturizer which will not upset the skin's balance. The moisturizer should feel lightweight and non-greasy on your skin. Moisturizers for normal skin usually contain lightweight oils such as cetyl alcohol and cyclomethicone.

• People with dry skin need a heavier moisturizer for deep hydration. As a result, moisturizers for dry skin are usually oil-based, which is better for locking moisture into the skin. Look for particularly hydrating ingredients such as grape seed oil and dimethicone (a type of silicone oil).
• Oily and blemish-prone skin still needs to be moisturized, especially if you tend to use drying cleansers and toners. Look for very lightweight, water-based formulas, and choose products that are labeled "non-comedogenic" which means that they won't clog pores.
• Sensitive skin requires a very simple moisturizer that won't irritate the skin. Avoid colored or scented moisturizers and steer clear from any products which contain acids. Instead, look for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber.
• Aging skin tends to dry out easily, so look for a richer, oil or petroleum based moisturizer. You should also look for added benefits of ingredients like antioxidants, retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids to plump out the skin and minimize wrinkles.

   

                         

1. Exfoliate regularly. Regular exfoliation sloughs off dead skin cells and leaves skin fresh, smooth and glowing. That's why it's important to exfoliate at least once a week, or more (depending on your skin type). However - many people make the mistake of believing that exfoliation means scrubbing skin to within an inch of its life. This is untrue and can actual be harmful to your skin, as intense scrubbing or rough exfoliators can cause micro-tears in the skin.

• Skin (especially the skin on your face) is sensitive and requires a little more love and care than people tend to give it. Therefore, if you decide to purchase an exfoliating product, choose one with small beads, not large granules.
• Alternatively, you can buy cleansers with exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids which remove dead skin cells without the need to scrub. Or you can simply use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your face - this works as well as any product and is pretty cost effective!
• Another option is to invest in a cleansing and exfoliating tool such as the Clarisonic, which has a rotating brush for thoroughly cleansing the face and cleaning out pores. Many people who use Clarisonic brushes swear by them, but they are not an option for everybody.
• A final exfoliation option includes making your own face scrub at home. This is so easy to do and can produce results as good as any store-bought scrubs, while ensuring that you expose your face to only natural products. Try mixing brown sugar and olive oil, baking soda and water, or any other homemade face scrub ingredients!

  

                     

1. Always remove your make-up. It may sound like the simplest thing in the world, but you should never underestimate the importance of completely removing your make-up every single night. It's a pain, and there will definitely be nights when it's the last thing you'll feel like doing, but your skin will thank you for it! If make up is left on the skin overnight it can clog the pores, while also denying skin the opportunity to repair itself from the stresses of the day. This opens the door to blackheads, breakouts, excess oil and all manner of undesirable issues!

• In addition, make up can trap free radicals that your skin is exposed to during the day. If your skin is not cleansed properly at night, these free radicals remain on the skin. This is not good, as free radicals break down collagen in the skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles.
• Although the full cleanse, tone, moisturize routine is preferable, in case of emergencies you should keep a pack of cleansing wipes beside your bed, along with some eye make up remover pads. Then you just need to give your face a quick wipe to remove the bulk of the make-up before your head hits the pillow.
• On the subject of make up...if possible, you should try to give your skin a break and go bare-faced every once in a while, especially if you tend to wear heavy foundation. This may seem scary, but your skin will feel much better for it. If going completely naked sounds too extreme, consider switching to a tinted moisturizer - it's much lighter than foundation but will still provide some coverage.
• And finally, you should make sure to go through your make-up bag at least every six months and throw away any products that have been hanging around for a while. Make up is a haven for bacteria, so using lumpy foundation and gunky mascara can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

                                 

1. Don't forget the sunscreen! Last but certainly not least, if there's one change you should make to your skincare routine after reading this article it's to wear an SPF everyday. The importance of wearing sunscreen cannot be understated. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays which contribute to a whole plethora of skin issues. For one, sunscreen has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer - which is reason enough to wear protection in itself.

• Secondly, sunscreen protects against the effects of aging. In fact, sunlight is one of the major culprits behind skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, red veins and discoloration. By consistently wearing sun cream, you can slow down these signs of aging and preserve your skin's youthful appearance.
• You should look for sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, especially if you're fair-skinned and have red or blonde hair. Many daily moisturizers and foundations come with an SPF already included, which helps to simplify your morning routine.
• Remember to wear sunscreen everyday, not just over the summer or when it's sunny. UV rays are just as strong when the weather is cold and can even penetrate cloud and rain. You can provide further sun protection by wearing sunglasses and a fashionable hat, when necessary.
• Never use old or expired sunscreen. It's protective benefits have essentially worn away, so it will not prevent burns or skin damage. In addition, the formulation of sunscreen often changes once it expires and can cause skin irritation and itching