Ahh, skin. Some days you love it, other days you can't stand it. No matter what day it is, it seems like you can never get it just right. Here are a few tips to get your skin as healthy and close to perfect as possible!
1. Learn what your Skin Type is.
People can usually classify their skin between 5 types; oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal.
Oily — You may have oily skin if your complexion is overly shiny or especially acne and breakout prone.
Dry — If you have areas of flakiness, experience a "tight" feeling, and struggle to keep your skin hydrated, you most likely have dry skin.
Combination — If you have both areas of oiliness, usually around the T-zone, and dryness everywhere else, you probably have combination skin.
Sensitive — You may have sensitive skin if you have a skin condition like rosacea or eczema or your skin is easily irritated by products.
Normal — If none of these types sound familiar, you are one of the lucky few who have normal skin! This means your skin is relatively clear, even in tone, and isn't overly dry or oily. That doesn't mean you're off the hook though. It's just as important to take care of your skin so it stays healthy!
2. Use products intended for your Skin Type.
Just like you wouldn't give a dog cat food and expect it to eat, you wouldn't expect your skin to improve with the wrong treatment! Once you understand your skin's type, you will be able to find products that can best treat concerns and prevent future issues.
3. Don't overdo it!
When you are experiencing breakouts, it's very tempting to constantly wash your face. However, when overdone, cleansing can actually strip your skin of necessary oils and force your skin to begin creating even more oil! This could lead to more acne as well!
A good amount of times to wash your face is most likely twice; once in the morning and once at night. However, if your skin is overly oily, you may only need to wash it once a day.
4. Protect, protect, protect.
Although it may be winter, it's still just as important to wear sunscreen now as it is in the summer! The sun can be damaging all year round and is still affecting your skin even if it hasn't given you a sunburn! In order to protect yourself from the negative effects of longtime over-exposure, like premature aging and a number of illnesses, slather it on!
It's not necessary to use the thick and gross-smelling sunscreen we all think of. Look for alternatives to the products you may already be using that contain SPF. Some examples are moisturizers, toning sprays, and foundations. Alternatively, many companies make special facial sunscreen without harsh chemicals that are intended for everyday wear!
5. Hydration is key!
If your skin is especially oily, you may feel hesitant to use a moisturizer, but it's important for everyone to keep their skin well-hydrated! Without using one, you're not giving your skin the relief it needs from lifestyle factors that leave it parched; like intense weather conditions or diet. In addition, it's important to drink water! Not only does it help your skin stay moisturized, but it also helps to flush out toxins that lead to acne!
6. Exfoliate away.
In order to clean out your pores and brush off dead skin, use products intended for exfoliation. Easy does it, though! Use a gentle hand when exfoliating to prevent damage. Also, limit your usage to twice a week. Any more that that and you'll start clearing away healthy skin cells instead of dead ones! That could lead to unwanted irritation and acne flare-ups.
7. Stick to your routine.
You wouldn't expect abs to occur after one sit-up, so you can't expect your skin to be perfect after one day! It takes time for your skin to change, so once you've found your skin-care routine, be sure to continually keep up with it to see the best results! If your skin still isn't improving after a significantly long time period, usually about two weeks, it's time to try something else!
Much like life, our skin can be unpredictable. If your skin isn't how you'd like it to be and it's stressing you out, just remember that no matter the condition of your skin, it's what's underneath it that really counts! The rest of you is just a beautiful shell to an even more beautiful person inside!
