Facial Skin Care Products 101 - The Basis Of Good Skin Care
If you've never really had a good skin-care routine, getting into the habit can be very daunting indeed. The variety of facial skin care products on the market is staggering and includes moisturizers, cleansers, toners, clarifying lotions, exfoliates and everything in-between. The good news is that it doesn't take much to get your skin back into shape. Here is a quick guide to the main types of facial skin care products and what they are used for.
Cleansers
As their name suggests, cleansers are used to remove make-up, dead skin and other impurities from the skin. In terms of facial skin care products, they are generally superior to bar soap as this can clog the pores and remove oil from the skin. Some cleansers may contain essential oils and other fragrances, although these often aren't suitable for sensitive skin. It's also important to choose a cleanser to match your skin type. You should cleanse your face twice a day, or just at night if your skin has a tendency to dry out quickly.
Toners
A toner is a lotion that shrinks the pores on your face. It is usually applied using cotton wool or by spraying on the face. Moisturizer is generally applied to the face after toner has dried. Three main types of toner are fresheners, skin tonics and astringents. Fresheners are the mildest type of toner and are best suited to sensitive skin. Normal or combination skin usually responds best to a skin tonic, and astringents are best reserved for very oily skin or breakouts.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are designed to re-hydrate the outer layers of the skin, making them softer and smoother in the process. They are particularly designed for the care of dry facial skin, help to protect sensitive skin and improve the overall look and feel of your complexion. They can be purchased commercially, although some people swear by home recipes made from ingredients such as yogurt and avocado. Moisturizer should be applied morning and night.
Exfoliates
Exfoliates are a type of facial skin care product used to remove old cells from the outer surface of the skin. Mechanical exfoliation involves scrubbing these cells away using a commercially manufactured facial scrub or a homemade recipe. Purchased facial scrubs may contain products such as micro-beads, almond-shells or pumice. Homemade exfoliates are commonly made from sugar, salt, lemon juice, lavender or grapefruit. It's suggested that you exfoliate once a week if your skin is dry, twice a week if you have combination skin and every second day if your skin is oily.
Exfoliating, cleansing, toning and moisturizing are the cornerstones of a good skin care routine. It may take some time and a bit of trial and error to find the right facial skin care products for you, but it will be well worth it in the end.
