Guidelines for the Appropriate Daily Maintenance of the Skin

You have invested time into making your skin healthier and stronger, so now it's time to give it the tools it needs to repair itself and develop the best maintenance regimen possible. Keep in mind that three to four weeks is all it takes to form a habit. Get started with a plan you know you can stick to for a minimum of three weeks. It's fine if you have to focus on your skin care routine for a month before moving on to your hair care routine. Just don't neglect the basics, like getting enough sleep and drinking enough water!

Preventative Care FOR THE Face

Cleansing

Every night before bed, wash off any traces of makeup. There are a plethora of skin-care products on the market, each designed for a specific type of skin. If you don't wear a lot of makeup, it's probably easier to choose a cleanser that doubles as a makeup remover. Makeup remover or oil can be used as an alternative for the eyes, while most standard cleansers can be used to remove the rest of the makeup. Facial skin should be washed twice daily: once in the evening before bed and again in the morning. After a good night's sleep, your face will only need a quick rinse in the morning to get rid of excess oil and sweat before you apply makeup.

Apply lukewarm water to your face before applying a water-based cleanser. Oil-based cleansers are best used on dry skin.

Apply cleanser in small, circular motions all over your face, starting at your nose and ending at your hairline, using your fingertips or a soft cloth. Use gentle strokes moving upward toward the jaw line to wash the neck. When washing, be gentle so as not to irritate the skin by pulling or stretching.

Thoroughly rinsing with tepid water is recommended. To maximize the effectiveness of your cleanser, apply it a few minutes before you hop in the tub or shower.

Toning

The skin's natural pH is restored through toning, which also adds a protective acid mantle. It helps get rid of leftover cleanser and shrink pores. Toners might be extremely antiseptic or somewhat acidic, depending on your skin type.

Apply toner to a cotton pad and wipe your face in a circular motion, starting at your nose and working outward and across your forehead. Keep your neck in mind as well. Cotton cosmetic pads are more convenient, although cotton balls will do in a pinch. If you need to remove oil and debris from your eyebrows, you should avoid the sensitive skin around your eyes unless you are using a very gentle toning solution that has absolutely no alcohol or peroxide.

Protecting

Every day, you should take precautions to prevent sun damage to your skin. "Protecting" is a two-step process. The first step is to replenish your skin with antioxidants and other substances that will aid its natural defenses. Sunscreen is the second step in protecting it.

To apply a serum or solution containing antioxidant vitamins and minerals, soak a cotton ball in the product and pat it onto your "problem areas" before gently cleaning the rest of your face. Apply to the back of the neck and up. To get the most out of your antioxidant serum, use it exactly as directed.

Moisturizing

Natural sebum production in women decreases with age. In order to maintain its strength, elasticity, and integrity, the skin needs both internal and external moisture. There is less likelihood of the skin being stretched or injured due to touch while using a moisturizer, as well as less friction.

Use an all-in-one skin lotion that has UV protection, emollient oils, and antioxidant vitamins C, E, and A to achieve this dual purpose. Applying nutritional vitamin and herb mixtures to your skin before moisturizing sunscreen is another way to create your own antioxidant protection. In subsequent sections, we'll go into greater detail on how to use them and which ones to pick.

Lightly and in outward strokes, apply moisturizer to your face. Use upward strokes on the neck to apply. Avoid tearing or overstretching your skin. During the day, apply a greaseless sunscreen to your face, throat, and any other sun-exposed skin on your body if your moisturizer does not already contain UV protection.

Exfoliate

The skin sheds its dead outer layer as it renews and restores itself. Exfoliating your skin at least once a week will speed up this process and reveal the younger, healthier cells underneath. This can be accomplished mechanically or chemically. A decent skin scrub, microdermabrasion lotion, or loufah pad can all be used for mechanical exfoliation. One option is to employ a chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha-hydroxy, etc.

This extra step is actually included in the recipe of certain facial cleansers. How often and with what method you should exfoliate depends on your skin type. Mechanical exfoliants can be too harsh for sensitive skin, and even a chemical formula may be too irritating for daily use if you have acne, eczema, or rosacea. In order to remove the layers of damaged skin and encourage the formation of healthy collagen structures in the deeper layers of the skin, both procedures may be necessary, and in the case of older skin that has suffered extensive UV damage, they may need to be used more frequently. Once again, we'll demonstrate how to find your optimal frequency and technique for exfoliation.

Exfoliants, in whatever form they may take, should be used in a manner analogous to that of cleansers. Let the chemicals do the work, and avoid "scrubbing" your skin if you're using a chemical peel. Scrubbing should be done with very gentle pressure and small circular motions. Again, avoid any unnecessary tugging or stretching of the skin.

Most exfoliants need time to "work" before they can do their job. It is best to use exfoliants just before entering the shower so that they can be easily rinsed away with water.

Masks

While there are several benefits to using a facial mask, one of the most significant is the deep cleaning of pores. Extreme hydration, enhanced circulation, and aesthetic pleasure are just a few of the other reasons masks are created. It depends on your skin type and the P-Method results as to how often and what kind you should use. It is recommended to use a clay-based mask once a week for deep cleansing purposes. In order to "pull" and absorb pollutants, filth, and dried sebum from your pores, a variety of cosmetic clays are employed in these masks. In doing so, they improve the skin's texture, brighten the skin's look, and help prevent acne infections. For all levels of dryness, there is a clay mask out there.

Apply the mask gently and let it dry. Most clay masks need at least 10 to 15 minutes to fully remove all traces of dirt and oil from the skin. Don't pull when rinsing off the mask; instead, use your fingertips. It is recommended that you use them before entering the shower.

Tone, shield, and hydrate your skin after exfoliating or using a mask.

Functioning Procedures

MORNING:

Remove any dirt, oil, or sweat from your skin using a mild cleanser.

Tone: Use the right toner for your skin type. Makeup application will be easier after using toner.

Apply a non-oily moisturizer before applying makeup to prevent dryness. Even on dry, mature skin, the combination of an oily moisturizer and foundation can make the face look cakey and greasy after only a few hours. You can get away with using an oilier moisturizer if you don't normally wear makeup.

Use a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF every day (unless you work the graveyard shift), since it is absolutely required. The sun's rays can cause damage to even the darkest skin; therefore, everyone needs to take precautions. Some commercial foundation formulations also include sun protection. You can skip applying additional sunscreen all day if you use a moisturizer or foundation that already contains a sunblock with an SPF of at least 15.

EVENING:

Before turning in for the night, make sure to give your skin a good cleansing. Makeup should be removed, and a cleanser suited to your skin type should be used.

To eliminate any remaining cleanser and bring the skin's pH back into balance, use a toner.

To prevent damage, apply an antioxidant serum (which can be blended with your moisturizer) and let it sit for at least a few minutes.

Use a gentle patting motion to apply a moisturizer, including an eye cream, to your skin.