The skin is our largest organ and covers our entire body. The skin’s thickness varies, but our facial skin is one of the most sensitive parts of our body. It is one of the first things that people see and notice about us. Yet most of us are not taking care of our skin properly. Some of our skin care routines are nothing more than just keeping it clean by washing with soap and water, but different skin types require different care. Here are the best skin care routines for different types of skin.
Oily Skin. If you have oily skin, excess shine is the least of your problems. Oily when unchecked and untreated, could result to clogged pores, which in turn could lead to whiteheads and blackheads and even acne. So how do you treat oily skin? Instead of reaching for the astringent to wipe off the excess oil and dry out the skin, use gentle cleansers that contain sulfur, salicylic acid or tea tree oil. After cleansing, use a gentle, alcohol free toner. Then finish it off with an oil-free moisturizer. Limit the astringent to every other day. To prevent clogged pores, exfoliate once a week. And don’t forget to hydrate – drink plenty of water.
Dry Skin. If your skin is flaky, scaly, or rough then you have dry skin. The skin surface tears easily, and wrinkles are more prominent if you have dry skin. So how do you care for your skin? First thing you should do is to do away with harsh soap and cleansers that strip away the skin’s natural oils. Use products that are alcohol free and gentle. Avoid products that have drying ingredients like menthol, tea tree or citrus. Don’t use abrasive scrubs, loofah or brushes to exfoliate. So how do you help your skin shed the layers of dead skin cell? The best way to do this if you have dry skin is to use a leave-on exfoliant with AHA or alpha hydroxyl acid. Regularly moisturize your skin, choose the ones that are packed with antioxidants. Wear sunscreen religiously and don’t forget to hydrate!
Normal Skin. If you have a radiant complexion with barely visible pores and minimal imperfections, then you are one of the few blessed with normal skin. The goal here is to maintain normal skin and prevent it from becoming oily or dry. So how do you care for normal skin? Make sure that you use gentle, alcohol free cleansers to avoid stripping the skin’s natural oils. Use skin-friendly and pH neutral cleansers. Avoid using hot or warm water to wash your face, and don’t use astringent on your face every day. Instead, after cleansing, use a gentle toner and moisturizer. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays, wear protective sunscreen when you venture outside, even when it’s cloudy.