Skin Care Tips

How to Get Better Skin Today

The health of your skin says a lot about your general state of wellbeing. Your skin is an organ, and just like
your heart or your liver, it needs nutrients to perform its functions properly. If you’re concerned that your
skin isn’t receiving the tender loving care it deserves, there are several things you can do – and they’re all
relatively simple. To ensure your skin is fresh, clean and healthy at all times, it’s important to understand
the basics of skincare.

 

Get to know your skin

The person best placed to understand exactly what your skin needs is you. You know what irritates it and whether
it’s dry or whether it’s greasy. And only you know exactly what issues lead to good and bad skin days. If your
pores are enlarged and your skin is constantly shiny, the chances are you have oily skin. But if you suffer from
dry patches, blotches and a dull complexion, you probably have dry skin.  Understand what your skin needs, and
you’ll be able to purchase the perfect skincare products.

 

Invest in face wash

Using a face wash daily should help to keep your skin moisturised and healthy. However, there are different
washes for different skin types, so you should take the time to select the right one for you.

Dry skin – If you suffer from scales, dry patches or dry skin conditions such as eczema, you should
select an oil-based cleanser. You may also want to apply a moisturising cream for dry skin, packed with things like
hyaluronic acid (able to hold 1,000 times its weight in water) and fortifying hydrators afterwards.
Oily skin – If your skin is oily, you may be prone to acne breakouts due to the overproduction of
sebum or “see visible or large pores over t-zone or cheeks.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you
should select an oil-free cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which can both reduce the
chances of an acne breakout.
Sensitive skin – If you suffer from sensitive skin, there are cleansers on the market designed to
address your specific requirements. These products usually contain no fragrances, heavy oils or alcohol. Instead,
they rely on natural ingredients such as aloe, green tea, chamomile and polyphenols. Among the conditions that can
cause skin irritation are psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.
Once you’ve washed your face, use a toner to cut through the oil on your skin – leaving it cleaner and more even. If
you suffer from acne or skin problems, choose a toner that contains salicylic acid.

Exfoliate regularly

Much of the oil, dirt and sebum on your face lurks just below the surface of the skin, so regular exfoliation is
essential. Left untreated, dirty skin can cause blackheads, spots and irritations. You need to clear the dead
skin cells away at least twice a week to ensure dirt and grease can escape.

Change your shaving habits

A wet shave using a moisturising shaving foam is always best for your skin – so you need to make the time for
one every morning. Before you shave, however, wash your face with cleanser, toner and “warm or lukewarm water.
And if you have time, exfoliate. These processes will open up your pores, soften the hairs and remove any
bacteria that’s sitting on the surface of your skin. Shave with the grain, and always rinse the blades after
every stroke. And, of course, make sure your blade is sharp and rust-free. Once your shave is complete, rinse
your face with cool water.

 

Moisturise

Dry skin is usually thinner and less elastic – which can lead to severe wrinkles and creases over time. You can
maintain the elasticity in your skin – and keep your skin looking fresh and youthful – by moisturising daily.
And to kill two birds with one stone, use a moisturiser that also offers UV protection, as prolonged exposure to
direct sunlight can cause permanent skin damage.

How to look after your skin if you work outdoors

Working outside leaves your skin vulnerable to damage from UV rays. This can accelerate the ageing process in
skin, and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. It is therefore important that you stop what you’re
doing to reapply sunscreen every two hours – making sure you apply it to your face, arms, hands and any areas of
exposed skin.

If you work in a relatively dirty environment or battle the daily pollution in the city, the dust in the air has
the potential to get into the deeper layers of the skin, causing inflammation, dehydration and wrinkling. An
easy and effective solution is simply washing the skin to remove the dust and pollutants through proper
cleansing before bed every night and apply ample moisturiser. Wearing moisturiser in the morning is also helpful
because it trap the pollutants during the day, preventing them from reaching the skin.

 

5 Steps for Silky Skin

We all love the feeling of silky soft skin, but have a hard time replicating it on a daily basis. Ingrown hair often fights a constant war on our legs, leaving them red and irritated. You might head to the spa for waxing or use an epilator, but you’re not a big fan of painful beauty routines. When you’re in the mood to give yourself the luxury shaving treatment without the hassle, follow these five steps.

 

1. Exfoliate

Exfoliation gets rid of the dead cells that hang around on your body, allowing healthy skin to show through. Your legs can stand up to a strong scrub, so break out the products you can’t use on your face. Salt and sugar scrubs give great results, but you can also use exfoliating gloves or chemical-based peels.

2. Take a Warm Shower

There’s nothing better than a steaming hot shower – except when you want silky skin. Turn the temperature down so you have a warm shower. Relax and take your time, as you want to get your pores as open as possible. Use a gentle cleanser to wash off and prepare for shaving.

 

3. Shave

You can’t shave with any old razor and expect great results. Old razors irritate your skin as you go over the same area repeatedly, trying to cut all the hair. Single blade disposables have a problem getting all the hair in a single pass, resulting in a similar problem to dull razors. Multi-blade models require fewer strokes to get your intended end result, which reduces your chances of creating an irritated surface prone to razor bumps.

4. Prevent Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair can be painful and prevents you from getting the smooth skin that you’re dreaming about. Starting off with exfoliation and giving your pores time to open up during your shower help with this problem, but you should take a few extra steps to avoid this leg hair dilemma.

Do you currently suffer from this issue? The problem may come from your hair removal methods. Waxing takes your leg hair out at an angle, so it’s not growing straight out of the skin. When it grows sideways, you end up with irritated skin that’s uncomfortable and unsightly. Switch to shaving-only if you find yourself full of ingrown hairs post-waxing. The way your hair grows in naturally may be predisposed to ingrown hairs, so shaving lets you manage this more effectively than waxing.

Are you lucky enough to not have a single ingrown hair on your legs? Keep it that way by applying serum designed to prevent ingrown hairs from developing. You should do this before you get out of the shower, right after you shave your legs.

 

5. Moisturise

You lead a busy lifestyle, so you don’t always remember to moisturise before you leave the bathroom. However, putting lotion on when your skin is dry doesn’t have the same effect as when it goes on a damp skin. The primary benefit to doing this right away is to trap the shower’s moisture, as well as softening your skin. You do have to spend some time waiting in the bathroom while the lotion dries, so make sure to schedule a few extra minutes for this process. It’s well worth it in the long run when you head out the door with silky smooth skin.

Many women have to figure out the best way to shave through trial and error and have the ingrown hairs to prove it. Skip the painful part of this experimentation process and get the best shave of your life with this skin-friendly technique.

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