A healthy skin care routine has only three steps, cleanse, hydrate, and protect. But does that mean you can just grab a bar of soap and a random lotion and call it a day? Probably not. The skin on your face is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the skin on your body. It also has many more demands placed on it by the constant movement from facial expressions and speaking as well as being exposed to the elements consistently year round.
As such it is best to choose cleansers and moisturizers formulated for facial skin. But how do you find the best formula for your specific skin? Start by identifying if your skin is oily, dry, a combination, or something in between.
How to identify your skin type
To do this, start by washing your face. Does your skin feel tight, “squeaky-clean”? Is it dewy or shiny?
If your skin feels tight or too small, it is dry. Choose cleansers and moisturizers designed to give you extra hydration. If you have spots that feel dry or rough then your skin is probably dehydrated as well. Try layering an additional moisturizer on these dehydrated spots and increasing your fluid intake.
If you have a dewy glow after washing your face your skin is probably oily. You create many natural oils to keep your skin hydrated, so look for oil-free cleansers and moisturizers to just give your skin a little extra boost. It is still important to hydrate your skin though, especially if it feels oilier than normal. Your skin will create extra oils to compensate for dehydrated skin, so be on the look out for skin changes, especially during seasonal changes.
Do you have some tight spots and some dewy spots? You probably have “combination” skin. Most combination formulas are oil-free and provide lighter hydration. You may want to layer an extra moisturizer on the dry areas of your face.
Is your skin neither tight nor dewy? Congratulations you have what is referred to as “normal” skin. I sometimes joke that my skin is the only normal thing about me. Most cleansers will work for you. You may find that switching up your moisturizer by season works best for your skin. I prefer an oil-free moisturizer in the summer heat, but am a little more prone to drying out in the winter so I use moisturizer for dry skin in cold months.
More to Consider
So now you are ready to go out and find the perfect cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and looking it’s best. I leave you with just a few things to keep in mind
It is important to protect your skin from the elements. Consider looking into a daytime moisturizer with SPF and a separate nighttime moisturizer.
It can take some time for your skin to adjust to a new routine or new formula. Unless something is causing significant irritation, give a new product about 3 weeks before giving up on it. I gave one of my product lines an extended test run earlier this year and at first I had terrible break outs, but they cleared up after the first month, and three months later my skin looks better than ever and I don’t plan to go back to my regular product line.
Seasonal or life changes can bring about changes for your skin. Your skin type could change due to the end of puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause. Just because something has “always” worked for you doesn’t mean it is what you need now. Pause to really consider if your skin is getting what it needs at least once a season.
Finally, if you have the right cleanser and moisturizers, but feel like your skin could still use a little more TLC, it may be time to start thinking about supplementing your routine with serums, masks, and/or other treatments.
I hope you find this guide helpful, but for best results speak with someone trained to help you find the right products and get the most from them. Your local Independent Beauty Consultant has an abundance of products to specialize your skin care and makeup to meet your specific needs. Don’t have an Independent Beauty Consultant? Ask your questions here!
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