In the last article I addressed the old, archaic skin care regimen of Vaseline and water. Hopefully those of you out there not caring for skin will feel inspired to start. Now your basic skin care kit should consist of a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

Figure Out Your Skin Type

First you will need to find a cleanser that’s appropriate for your skin type. Most formulations are divided into five categories oily, dry, combination, acne-prone and sensitive.

Dry skin is characterized by skin that feels tight, dry to the touch and flaky. Oily skin is shiny all over, oily to the touch with enlarged pores. Combination skin is shiny and oily to the touch in the T-zone area (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier to the touch on the cheeks. Acne-prone skin breaks out often and most often is oily. Sensitive skin is irritated easily and will show in small bumps, inflammation, red patches,peeling and flaking.

Some important things you will want to remember while cleansing your skin:
1) Don’t use hot water. Use tepid or lukewarm water.
2) Use your hands instead of a washcloth. Your washcloth may contain bacteria.
3) Don’t pull or rub your face. Massage it gently using a circular motion working your way up to your forehead.
4) Follow the products directions for proper usage.

The next step is to use a toner. You might also find toners under the guise of other names such as fresheners, clarifiers or softeners. The purpose of a toner is to remove any residue of cleanser from your face, shrink and remove any remaining dirt and debris from your pores. If your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts you will may find that toners formulated for these skin types may even moisturize, exfoliate, prevent oil secretions or soothe irritated skin. The last step in your basic skincare regimen is to moisturize.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Moisturizers replace some of the natural oils lost in the cleansing process. It also forms a barrier on your skin to protect it from pollutants and some even contain UVA/UVB to protect you from the sun. Moisturizer is also a great primer for your foundation. It helps it glide on smoothly and evenly. And yes-oily skin needs a moisturizer too. Just make sure it’s oil-free.

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