How To Get Healthy Skin

If your like me, when it gets close to bedtime I just want to snuggle in bed with a book. So when I wash my face I don't like anything that takes longer that a minute! However, there are four things one must do in their skin care regimen for that health, beautiful, glowy skin. Even if it takes more than 60 seconds...

Step One: Cleanse
Cleansing dissolves dirt and oil off the skin along with normalizing it. Make sure you use warm water for this step. This will help to loosen clogged pores and stimulate your blood circulation. If your water is too hot or too cold it could cause broken capillaries. Wet your face and then using a dime-sized amount of cleanser rub your hands together and rub circles around your face. Rinse with cool water, this will tighten the pores. 
Note: Most cleansers remove makeup, but for all that stubborn waterproof makeup you may be using, make sure to remove your makeup before you cleanse (I use Neutrogena's Makeup Wipes in the blue container).


Good Budget Cleansers:

 Neutrogena Pore-Refining Cleanser

Kiehl's Gentle Foaming Face Cleanser 

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

&

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

Avon Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser

Step Two: Exfoliate
If you have dry/sensitive skin, exfoliate once or twice a week. If you have combination/oily skin (which is the majority of us) you should exfoliate four or five times a week. .This is important to remove dead skin cells and let you good, alive skin show. You can do this two ways, by using a scrub or chemically. If you choose an exfoliating scrub lightly press the scrub into your wet skin after you finish step one. Massage the scrub gently around your face with very little pressure. Warning! Do not press too hard, otherwise you may wash away some of your skins defense system thus leaving your skin more vulnerable to acne, dryness, and sunburn. If you choose to exfoliate chemically you will probably be using a topical get containing AHA's. These do the same job as physical scrubs except that they depend on acid to do the job. The chemical needs to stay on your skin for some time in order to work, you do not wash this off after application. I apply mine as a last step before going to bed. Note: don't use AHA's if you don't need them. They are suggested for people with sun damaged/aging skin or sever acne. Lucky me, I'm a member of the later...


Step Three: Moisturize
If you do nothing else from this post, please please please moisturize! It is you secret weapon to great looking skin. Some people have problems with moisturizers or feel like they don't work... this is because they are probably using the wrong product for their skin. Just like every other product you buy, it needs to be the right one for you skin type. 

Types Of Moisturizer:

*Gels are clear and are very light however they contain the least amount of moisture. Gels don't clog pores are a great choice for oily skin types. 
*Face Oils are more readily absorbed into your skin therefore moisturizing better. Oils are a great choice for people with dry/normal skin which does not tend to breakout. (Lucky you!)
*Lotions are thin liquids containing more water than oils. Lotions are most effective for people with dry/normal/combination skin. 
*Creams are thick made up of primarily oil with a little water. They feel a little heavy however you can find "low-fat" creams that are lighter and not as greasy. Best for dry/normal skin types. 
*Balms are the thickest moisturizers. They are a waxy consistency containing little to no water. These can be quite messy so look for ones that claim to be beeswax-based making them a little more manageable. Great for people with super dry/sensitive skin because they tend not to irritate the skin with the lack of water and massive amounts of oils. 


Budget Moisturizers: 

Nivea Cream

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 15 (This is my holy grail)

L'Oreal Plenitude Active Daily Moisture Lotion

Step Four: Sun Protection!
I don't think I really have to explain this one. Now I love the sun and would spend all day in it if I could, just make sure your protected. The best way to do this is with a foundation. You can easily find foundations that contain SPF 15 along with tinted moisturize. 


Now I know it takes more than a minute, but four steps? That's really not that bad, plus the sun protection step you only have to do during the day! Hope this helps!

Stay Smart, Stay Beautiful

♥ Danielle