Flick through any women's magazine, and there is a minefield of information about facial skin care tips, how to make the most of your complexion, what to do, what not to do and what products to use if you want your skin to look good. The problem is that the accuracy of much of this information depends entirely on your skin type. What constitutes a good skin care routine varies hugely from person to person, and, more generally, between different skin types. Listed below are facial skin care tips for the three main skin types (dry, oily and combination) as well as blemishes.
Dry Skin
The best facial skin care tip for dry skin is to moisturize, moisturize and moisturize! Whether you use a store bought product or a natural one you've whipped up at home, the importance of moisturizing cannot be emphasized enough. In between dry winds, air-conditioning, sun and the rest, your skin will take a battering if you don't. The ideal situation, however, would be to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses per day, more if you're very active), protect your skin from the elements as much as possible and add olive oil to your bathwater if you like relaxing in the tub. It's also wise to avoid making your bath or shower water too hot, as this will also dry out the skin. The absolute best thing you can do to avoid drying skin is to avoid smoking and excessive caffeine or alcohol.
Oily Skin
Toning lotion is a necessity for oily skin, as it helps close the pores. Astringents are generally regarded as the best type to use on oily skin, as they do the best job of eradicating excess oil from the skin. In addition, keeping a bowl of water in the fridge during the day and splashing your face periodically will also improve the condition of your skin. With oily skin it's a good idea to exfoliate at least twice, if not three times, per week. This stops oil and bacteria from building up, clogging pores and causing unsightly breakouts.
Combination Skin
While cleansing and toning is necessary, using harsher products than you absolutely need to will only lead to dried out skin or clogged pores. Another facial skin care tip is to use harsher products like astringents strictly for problems such as pimples. Exfoliate twice per week, as doing so more or less often can strip the skin of oils or else cause them to build up.
Blemishes
If your skin is prone to blemishes, keep it clean using gentle products (natural skin care products are best) that won't irritate it any more than it already is. Avoid heavy make-up, and once again avoid toxins such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol that may only make the problem worse.
Whether your skin is oily, dry, blemished or a combination, using these facial skin care tips can help take the guesswork out of looking after your skin. Something as simple as knowing which toner to use, or how often to exfoliate your skin, can make all the difference in terms of you looking your best.
