An introduction to skin care, Step Nine & Ten

There are only 2 more steps, so I might as well just get them done and over with!! Then I can get on with other posts!

Step Nine: Protection - This is the secret to eternal young looking skin...

When you think about it, a sunburn is just that - a burn. The sun literally burns our skin - sometimes to a crisp - and it dries up the moisture in our skin, and destroys its cellular makeup. To put it simply, Sunblock (Protection) is EVERYTHING!! I briefly mentioned this in the introduction, but now I will elaborate!

Did you know that sun exposure is the #1 cause of skin cancer, and premature aging? Here are some numbers to put it into perspective: On average, 90% of wrinkles are from external factors, such as sun exposure. The other 10% are from the natural aging process. That is a HUGE difference!

Need a mental picture? Just think about what happens to a grape when it is left out in the sun. Eventually, it will turn into a raisin! The same can be said for our skin. It's not unusual for an 80 year old woman to have the smooth unblemished shoulders of a 30 something. Its proof that skin protected from the sun ages more gracefully.

The purpose of sunblock is to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, so when you're selecting a sunblock, be sure that it is broad spectrum - meaning that it will block both UVA and UVB rays. Both rays damage the skin in different ways. A simple way to remember what each ray does is: UVA = Aging, and UVB = Burning.

An SPF number indicates the degree of exposure allowed in the sun before the skin starts to burn. For example: SPF 15 means that you can be out in the sun 15 times longer than without any protection at all - It does not however, mean 15 minutes. Check your local UV index for the time allowed in the sun before you will burn. If the index says 10 minutes, this SPF will allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer, which is 2 and a half hours before you'll need to re-apply.

A higher SPF or recreational sunblock is recommended for extended exposure, sports, swimming, and other outdoor activities (gardening?!?), because they have been designed to be more sweat, water and rub proof. Also keep in mind that you are not completely protected from UV rays behind glass, even if they have a coating - its still only a percentage. In regards to skincare, you can easily mix a small amount of sunblock into your daily moisturizer, some even have an SPF of 15-30 already added to them. These are usually designed to absorb quickly into the skin, allowing you to wear your makeup without a greasy feel.

Step Ten: Health - aka Diet, Exercise, and Well-being.

Lets get real, skin products are not going to save your skin alone. There are other very important elements to achieve a healthy complexion such as a healthy, well balanced diet, adequate water intake, regular exercise, and sufficient rest. Remember, beauty starts on the inside! Underlying health issues, a change in hormones, and negative lifestyle choices can also affect your skin. Overall, if you feel you have tried everything, and take good care of your self and your skin, but still have trouble with keeping your complexion at its best, it may be in your best interest to consult a professional.

I truly hope this information has helped anyone experiencing problems with their skin, and I would love to hear your feedback. If you have some questions, please ask, and I will try my darnedest to answer!!

Final Overview:

-Everyday, you should be Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturizing the eyes, and face (in that order), once in the morning, and once before bed. This is the BARE MINIMUM!

-Once to twice a week, you should use an Exfoliant or Scrub after cleansing, and a Mask before moisturizing.

- Whenever its comfortable with you, Extractions will help quickly get rid of pimples and blackheads. Be sure to tone or cleanse afterwards to reduce clogging other pores.

- Depending on the application, a Serum or Complex can be used daily, or once a week as a deep moisturizing treatment, usually before or with your moisturizer.

- Don't forget about your Luscious Lips! Try to find a lip friendly scrub to use once a week, and a good lip balm keeps lips looking smooth and supple all day!

For a list of all my skin care blogs - including this one - click here!