A Face Care Routine That Works Miracles

What is the first thing you notice about a person? The face, isn't it? So how can you ignore your own? Here's a simple face care regime that spells magic for your face and will help you get back your lost glow.

 

What is the first thing you notice about a person? The face, isn't it? So how can you ignore your own? Here's a simple face care regime that spells magic for your face and will help you get back your lost glow.

But, first things first, do you know what your skin type is? You cannot know what will work for you if you are not aware of your skin type. The one size fits all approach does not work.

Here's a skin test that will help you know what category your skin falls into.

Wash your face, pat it dry and then press rice paper or lens cleaning tissue gently on the different areas on your face.

Dry - If you do not find any oil patches on the paper it is safe to assume that you have dry skin.

Oily - Too many oil patches indicate that you have oily skin.

Combination - If the paper sticks to your forehead, nose and chin you have combination skin.

Normal - If the tissue does not show oil stains but does show mild translucence, then congratulations! you are blessed with the best skin type. Although most women have combination skin type and normal skin type is a bit rare but if you have normal skin consider yourself lucky.

Read on to know how to get a radiant face.

Cleanse

The first step to a happy, healthy and glowing skin is cleansing. A good cleanser that works well with your skin type is extremely important. There are many cleansers available in the market but the onus lies on you to choose the one that suits you best. No matter what companies advertise it is impossible to find a cleanser that suits all skin types. So, think before you leap! Obviously, you wouldn't want to put something on your face that is not meant for it in the first place. It will do more damage than good; of course you are smart enough to know that.
If you have dry skin it would be best to use cream based cleansers. Do not ever use soap for your face, NEVER, especially if you have dry skin. You don't want to look 60 at 20. For the ladies with oily skin, it is recommended that you use foam based cleanser that will rid your skin off all the excess moisture. If the cleanser is fragrance free and contains 10 or less ingredients it is the right choice for women with sensitive skin. Do check the ingredients before purchasing and make sure it does not contain harsh chemicals.
Ladies with normal skin rejoice you don't have to worry about buying a particular cleanser; anything that is mild and gentle on the face will do for you. If you are someone who applies make up often, it would be wise to go for a cleanser that is oil based.

Hot tip - Try samples before buying the bottles. Don't cleanse your face more than twice a day it is bound to leave you with dry and flaky skin.

Exfoliate

What do women with glowing skin have in common? They never forget to exfoliate their skin. Exfoliation is necessary if you want to unclog pores and remove all the dirt. Be gentle, you wouldn't want to have a face that is all red and scarred. Never use extremely hot or cold water to wash off your face; tepid water will be ideal. You can buy a gentle scrub or make your own scrub at your home by combining yoghurt, oatmeal and lemon juice. A fruity scrub can be made using bananas, oatmeal, honey and milk.
Hot tip - Morning is the best time to exfoliate your skin as the skin repairs itself in the night.

Tone

There is a lot of debate over the efficacy of toners. Toners function to remove any dirt and excess moisture that is still left after cleansing. You may or may not want to use a toner depending on whether your cleanser is able to remove all the dirt.

Hot Tip - If you are happy with the results of your cleanser you may skip the toner

Moisturize

There wouldn't be a single beauty expert who would deny that moisturizers are important. Dry or oily or sensitive, a moisturizer is a must for all skin types. Obviously, if you have dry skin you would need to moisturize more than women with oily skin. Certain oils like jojoba, olive and coconut make for great moistures. For, the lucky ladies with normal skin, a normal cream would suffice. Water based moisturizers or lotions are recommended for oily skin. Sensitive skin requires hypoallergenic lotion which again shouldn't contain a truck load of ingredients.

Hot Tip - If you don't wish to use an eye cream, use a good quality moisturizer in the areas near your eyes as they  are most likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles.

Sunscreen

Remember the old saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed"? Well, when it comes to providing the best form of protection to your skin from the brutal heat, the sunscreen is your best friend. Never step out of the house without sunscreen and keep it handy wherever you go. Sun screens that have an SPF of at least 30 should do you good.
Hot tip - Buy two different moisturizers, one that offers SPF protection and the other that does not.  Use the one with SPF protection during the day and the other in the night, as using SPF moisturizer the whole day is not good for the skin.