Sunday, May 9, 2010

Skin Care Knowledge

Skin Care Knowledge

Skin is the largest organ of our body and therefore requires attention in order to ensure its continuous health as we age. Our facial skin needs extra care since it is the part of our body that is always exposed to damaging effects such as the weather, sunlight and pollution. For women, daily makeup is another factor that adds to skin damage in the long run.


While many men and women know the basics of facial care, not all commit to a proper daily regimen. Even fewer realize the additional recommended habits of a good facial care regimen. A daily facial care regimen follows five simple steps:

Step One: Steaming
The first step in facial care is steaming. Steaming helps soften facial skin and open up pores for deeper cleansing. Use a facial steamer or simply soak a facial wash cloth into a bowl of warm water. Squeeze the warm cloth lightly and place it against your face and neck. Dab and press gently for one to two minutes.

Step Two: Cleansing
Once pores become fully open, proceed to the second step in facial care – cleansing. Facial cleansers come in many varieties such as creams, milk, gel and foam. Buy one that suits your skin type. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol as this element dries out your skin. Press the recommended amount onto your palm and lather it up with warm water. In an upward circular motion, massage the cleanser gently on your face and neck for 30 to 40 seconds. Rinse your face and neck completely and pat them dry with a face towel.

Step Three: Toning (Toner / Lotion)
This third step in facial care is necessary to clean up any dirt or grime that you did not manage to catch in the second step. Toner is also used to remove any residue from the facial cleanser that you may not have rinsed out properly. Pour out the indicated amount onto a facial cotton wool or pad. Wipe your face and neck carefully.

Step Four: Deep Skin Moisturizing (Essence / Serum)
A good facial care regimen includes moisturizing your face and neck to keep skin sufficiently hydrated.

People are often confused about the differences between a moisturizer and a face serum, and may be unsure if they should use one or both products. Due to their large molecules, moisturizers can only penetrate the first layer of the skin, allowing them to hydrate and seal in moisture. A face serum is able to penetrate into all three layers of the skin because it is made of smaller molecules. The serums ability to go deeper into the skin is what allows it to help combat many common beauty complaints.

Face serums are best applied to a clean, slightly damp face. If a toner is being used, the serum should be applied after the toner. It is often recommended to apply the face serum before bed, as the skin will absorb it better overnight, although each serum will have its own application instructions.

Some face serums contain ingredients that also help moisturize, therefore eliminating the need for an additional moisturizer. If an additional moisturizer is necessary, it is best to wait several minutes after applying the serum. Applying the moisturizer on top of the serum will help seal in the benefits of both.

Step Five: Moisturizing (Emulsion / Moisturizer / Cream)
Always use a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type. The right moisturizer not only leaves your skin soft and supple, but also assists in smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Dot your face and neck with the moisturizer and massage it into your skin slowly and in an upward motion until all the moisturizer is fully absorbed.

The five steps above should be done twice daily, in the morning and evening. Aside from this, these additional facial care recommendations should also be followed:

Exfoliating
Exfoliating helps you achieve a radiant-looking skin. This is because exfoliants remove dead skin cells from your face, thus unclogging your pores and allowing a more effective penetration of the facial products you use in your daily facial care regimen. After toning, apply an exfoliant and massage gently into your face and neck in upward circular motions. This will increase blood circulation to your face, hence resulting in a healthy glow. Rinse off properly before moisturizing your face.

Masking
A mask is used in a facial care regimen because of its ability to firm up the skin on your face and neck, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Facial masks come in different forms, such as creams, powders and peel-off versions. After cleansing and toning, wet your face with warm water. Smooth the facial mask carefully onto your face and neck. Do not make any facial movements, like smiling or frowning, while you are waiting for the mask to set. You will feel the skin on your face tightening as the mask dries. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the mask by rinsing it off with warm water or simply peeling it off.

In addition to the five steps above, exfoliating and masking should be done at least once every week as part of your facial care regimen. Continuously following all these steps in facial care keeps your skin soft, smooth and firm, as you age gracefully.


Routine summary:
1) Remove make up
2) Cleanse skin
3) Tone skin
4) Apply essence / serum
6) Apply emulsion / moisturizer / cream.



Toner
A skin toner is a liquid or light lotion that is used in several different applications of skin care. Of these, the most common is to use a toner, usually with witch hazel or alcohol to clean the skin and perhaps reduce oil on the skin and prevent acne breakouts. These are often called astringents.

Another type of skin toner used is called a tonic. They typically contain a smaller amount of alcohol than do astringents, but they may still have that somewhat prickly or stingy feel you note when you place alcohol on the face. They also often feel cooler than plain water. They do help clean the skin, and women or men who have combination type skin, with dry skin on the cheeks and more oily skin on the forehead and nose (called the T-zone) may prefer a tonic to an astringent.

Some skin toners contain little to no alcohol. Instead, such a toner might use citric acid, rosewater, or a variety of other ingredients to simply freshen the skin. This explains the names used for this type, fresheners or bracers. Using a small amount of acid can help give a freshening feel to the skin when fresheners or bracers are used.

In cosmetics, toner is used to cleanse the skin and shrink pores. Toners can be applied to the skin in different ways:
• Dab some on a cotton ball and apply it to the face. (most frequently used method)
• A few toners come in spray bottles and you just spritz your face with them.
• By applying a tonic gauze facial mask - a piece of gauze is covered with toner and left on the face for a few minutes.

In most cases, you don’t have to wash off the toner, as it’s meant to be a finishing step in a skin-cleaning regimen. You should be careful when applying toner, especially any types that contain alcohol. Typically you should not apply the toner too close to the eyes. Also, if you have areas of the skin that are badly broken out, you want to dab those areas last, so you don’t transfer bacteria from one part of the skin to the other, which may possibly result in more breakouts.



Essence / Serum
A face serum is a clear, thick, liquid beauty product applied to the face and neck area. Face serums come in many different varieties and are often meant to target a specific problem. They can be used to help fight the signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. They can also be used to help prevent acne and brighten the skin. Depending on its specific purpose, a serum can contain a wide variety of ingredients, including vitamin C, amino acids, mushrooms, glycerin, cucumber, and aloe.

People are often confused about the differences between a moisturizer and a face serum, and may be unsure if they should use one or both products. Due to their large molecules, moisturizers can only penetrate the first layer of the skin, allowing them to hydrate and seal in moisture. A face serum is able to penetrate into all three layers of the skin because it is made of smaller molecules. The serums ability to go deeper into the skin is what allows it to help combat many common beauty complaints.

Face serums are best applied to a clean, slightly damp face. If a toner is being used, the serum should be applied after the toner. It is often recommended to apply the face serum before bed, as the skin will absorb it better overnight, although each serum will have its own application instructions.

Some face serums contain ingredients that also help moisturize, therefore eliminating the need for an additional moisturizer. If an additional moisturizer is necessary, it is best to wait several minutes after applying the serum. Applying the moisturizer on top of the serum will help seal in the benefits of both.

Eye serums are a specialized type of face serum. They are applied to the thinner, more delicate skin around the eyes. These serums help decrease wrinkles and fine lines, and also help reduce the appearance of dark circles, which are often made more prominent by dehydration.

If the serum becomes discolored or yellowish, it may mean that the ingredients have oxidized, or become unstable. When this happens, the serum can become rancid, so it is best to dispose of it.


Common ingredients in anti-aging serums are retinol, vitamin C, antioxidants, and peptides; all of which are supposed to fight wrinkles. The exact wrinkle-fighting effectiveness of the ingredients in an anti-aging serum vary, and not all of them have been clinically proven. However, some of the active ingredients — such as vitamin C and retinol — have been proven to boost collagen production, which can decrease the appearance of wrinkles.

If you are looking for the most effective form of these wrinkle fighting ingredients, your best bet is definitely an anti-aging serum. This is because facial lotions and creams can contain other compounds which may deactivate the active ingredients. Producers of anti-aging serums claim that the serums can both prevent and repair wrinkles.

Most dermatologists recommend wearing anti-aging serum under sunscreen, for those who wish to use the serum. As sun exposure is one of the primary causes of wrinkles and skin aging, it is a good idea for those concerned about wrinkles to use sunscreen every day.

Those with dry skin may want to avoid anti-aging serums, since they can cause the skin on your face to dry out and feel tight. In addition, there is no need to use an anti-aging serum if you are using a moisturizer or night cream with the same anti-wrinkle ingredients.



Moisturizer
Facial moisturizer is part of a healthy skin care regimen. For people who are engaging in a regimen of skin care to maintain healthy skin, moisturizing regularly is important.
Choosing the right facial moisturizer for you depends upon your skin type, which may be dry, oily, or a combination of both. Because there are many different types of facial moisturizers that range from expensive to moderately priced, it may take some experimentation to find your favorite.

Skin type plays a role in choosing a facial moisturizer because different skin types require different levels of moisturizing. Dry skin requires more moisture than oily skin and similarly, sensitive skin also requires special attention. Before experimenting with different facial moisturizers, determine which type of skin you have. Dry skin is often marked by dry, flaky, tight, or itchy skin. Oily skin is marked by greasy spots on the face – especially the nose, chin, and forehead. Combination skin is a combination of both dry and oily patches. Choose a facial moisturizer designed for your skin type. A good facial moisturizer will not only protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but will also prevent premature signs of aging and keep your skin healthier.


Many people follow a cleansing and moisturizing regimen daily; typically, the process begins with the removal of makeup and the cleaning of the face and neck area. Toner is then applied to the face to reduce pores and give an even glow to the skin. The final step in this process is using a moisturizer. Moisturizer addresses the most common types of skin problems experienced by women. Moisturizer usually contains antioxidants that help to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and imperfections caused by the sun.

Antioxidants found in most moisturizers help fight free radicals that age the skin, and they can also reduce or repair damage from the sun. They work to protect the skin from pollution, cigarette smoke, or any other type of irritant.

A moisturizer also usually contains lipoid acid and organic compounds that help to refine skin texture. Wrinkles and fine lines can be greatly reduced by using a moisturizer. Instead of filling in or concealing a wrinkle, moisturizer works to firm the face and neck. This tones the facial skin and over time, the lines typically will be naturally reduced and elasticity restored for added lift.

An uneven skin tone and imperfections due to acne or sun damage can be reduced by using a moisturizer. It is lightweight and typically penetrates the skin without feeling greasy. Because of this, it will not clog the pores and actually helps to close them. This nourishes the skin making it smoother and firmer, and it also can help to produce a healthier, glowing skin tone. People who have sensitive skin or skin allergies usually can use this type of moisturizer because it is formulated to soothe the skin. It does not contain any irritants that work to inflame tissues or to raise wrinkles; typically, there are no chemical preservatives that are linked to certain types of cancer. The ingredients usually are safe and healthy for the skin.


Apply moisturizer twice daily, after cleansing. If you use a facial toner with your skin care regimen, apply moisturizer after. Allow your facial moisturizer to dry thoroughly before continuing with makeup application.

A moisturizer can be worn under makeup, so it should be applied twice a day. This regimen usually includes application once in the morning before any makeup is put on and again in the evening after the face is cleansed. A person typically should keep in mind that the product may have to be consistently used for a few weeks to a few months before any wrinkle-reducing results are noticeable.

 
 
 
Hopefully, the above information can help you to understand better and choose the right products for yourself.