How to care for skin

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and is constantly protecting you from infection. Because it’s also your most exposed organ, your skin does require regular care – cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, and protecting.

Skin is often broken down into three types: dry, oily, and normal. For most people, determining skin type is easy – and the majority of people have “normal” skin, somewhere in between dry and oily. Different skin care products, especially those made for the face, are made for different skin types, so it is important to know your type. If it isn’t obvious, you probably have normal skin.

Skin cleansing

Most important in caring for your skin is keeping it clean! Use warm water and a mild soap on your body – and make sure to wash your body daily. Don’t forget to wash your armpits and behind your ears!

Your face needs special attention; don’t be afraid to wash it more than once a day. Use warm water and a cleanser made especially for the face. There are many different cleansers available for different skin types, so avoid using regular bar soap – there’s too much detergent in them and they tend to dry out skin. The best way to wash your face is to first rinse with warm water, then lather up a dime- to nickel-sized amount of cleanser, and rub it in with your fingertips. It’s best not to use a cloth, as it may be too rough.

Make sure to remove makeup using special makeup remover, not just soap and water.

Moisturizing your skin

Using a moisturizer isn’t just important for people with dry, itchy, or flaky skin. Everyone can benefit from moisturizing their skin (with the exception of those with severe acne). Make sure to choose a product without color or scent, as there is less chance of a reaction.

Tight skin is a sign that you need to moisturize, but make sure not to go overboard. Too much moisturizing can lead to clogged pores and acne.

A note about allergies-- An allergic reaction can result when a new skin care product is used. If you notice itchy, hot, red, or dry skin, stop using the product and check the label to make sure you don’t buy another product with the same active ingredient.

Exfoliating skin

Exfoliating is basically just the rubbing away of the top layer of dead skin cells. People often use tools with small, rough grains in order to do this, and this method is perfect for skin on your body. Exfoliating your face, however, can be done by gently rubbing your face with a warm, wet washcloth. A microdermabrasion kit, available at drug stores, also works wonders on the face. Try to exfoliate at least once a week

Protecting Your Skin

First and foremost, you have to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun! The sun’s ultraviolet rays burn your skin and peels layers off. Sunburn causes wrinkles and even skin cancer.

Wear a sunscreen of about SPF 30 every day, even if you’re not planning to be outside much. Make sure the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Try to stay out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when its rays are strongest. Obviously, you’ll be outside often during those hours, so just make sure to reapply the sunscreen frequently. Also, if you’re swimming or if you’re around a reflective surface (like water or snow), you’ll need to reapply every two hours or so.

Wear a hat and use lip balms, and most of all, avoid tanning beds. Dermatologists will tell you to use the fake stuff – self-tanners or a tanning treatment in a salon.

Eat well and exercise!

Eating healthy foods is important to maintaining good skin. So is drinking plenty of water. Water keeps your body, and your skin, hydrated. Regular exercise is also important for overall good health, and certainly affects your skin too.

Skin problems: acne

Even with meticulous care of your skin, issues may still arise. The most common skin problem is acne, or the presence of pimples. Pimples are caused when the skin pore gets blocked, which happens to all of us but is most common during puberty.

The most common area for pimples is around the forehead, nose, and chin – called the T-zone.

To combat pimples, wash your face twice a day with an acne cleanser. Don’t scrub your face, and don’t over-wash – that could irritate your skin. Also, never pop your pimples because it just spreads the infection farther and deeper.

Like with all skin issues, consult a dermatologist for more information. They have a bunch of treatments for acne and acne scars.

Keep your face clean

Try not to touch your face, as it spreads the bacteria from your hands to your pores. Along the same lines, avoid facial contact with the telephone handset and other objects that may have bacteria. And keep glasses clean so the bacteria isn’t transferred to your face. Also--wash your hands! Your hands easily spread germs to other parts of your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly and often!

Skin problems: cold sores

Often, a person will get a cold sore on his lip, and think it is a pimple. In fact, cold sores are caused by a type of the herpes virus and they are contagious! Once you get a cold sore, the virus stays in your body; therefore you’re bound to get another one at some point.

To avoid getting cold sores, don’t share lip sticks, drinks, or toothbrushes with other people. If it’s too late, and you’ve already gotten your cold sore, don’t pick it at. Take ibuprofen if it hurts, and suck on ice cubes to keep it cool. It will go away after a week or two. If you have any problems, consult a dermatologist.

Skin problems: eczema

Eczema is an itchy skin condition that turns skin red and dry. It is incurable, but you can control it by using gentle detergents, soaps, and lotions; taking short, warm showers; generously applying moisturizer to prevent itching; and wearing breathable clothing. Stress is also known to cause eczema flare-ups.