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!

An introduction to skin care, Step One

Now that we have had some time to examine our skin types and conditions, we can make a customized skin care regimen for your personal needs. Skin care should take about 5 minutes out of your day, once in the morning, and once before bed. I will list everything in the order of application, how often to use each product, and why that product is going to benefit your skin.

Step One: Cleansing

Cleansers should be used once in the morning, and once at night - everyday. You may need to use your cleanser twice at night if you are wearing a heavy makeup application. And of course, a cleanser should always be chosen to suit your skin type. A lot of people I know just use soap and water to clean their face, you may be one of them. It's great that you are cleansing - but - if you want to take it to the next step and start treating some of the problems you are facing, you may want to consider switching.

When you use soap made for the body on your face, it is normally too alkaline and can actually strip away your natural acid mantel (the natural oil and moisture on your face). Once your natural moisture content is washed away, your face is going to feel tight and dry. Anyone with oily skin will know how great that can feel, (including myself) but what's actually happening is dehydration, and dehydrating your skin can cause fine lines and wrinkles! *GASP*

Not to mention, your skin is thinking "WOW, I am sooo dry! I'm going to make some more OIL (sebum) to make up for it!" - leading to more breakouts and blemishes! Isn't that what you were trying to avoid in the first place? When you use proper cleansers suited for your skin type, your natural acid mantel is not stripped away, however it does remove excess oil, makeup, dirt, and environmental toxins and pollution from the skin.

Normal/Oily/Combination: I know what you're thinking. You love that tight clean feeling after washing. How else will you know that your skin is actually clean? You may want to put down that bar of soap, and opt for an gel or foaming cleanser suited for an oily or combination skin type. Some are deep cleansing - without removing your essential acid mantel. Look for products that are oil free, that are non-comedogenic, and have naturally healing ingredients.

Normal/Mature/Dry: Look for a milk or cream cleanser suited for your needs. Many cream cleansers are formulated to keep more moisture in the skin which would be great for a mature or dry skin type. A basic, non-drying, non-oily milk type cleanser is great for a close to normal skin type. Look for products that are alcohol free, and have naturally rejuvenating and moisturizing ingredients.

Sensitive/Reactive: You can find gentle cleansers that are formulated as a basic soft face wash that wont leave your skin feeling tight or irritated - such as a gentle milk cleanser. Look for products with basic, natural ingredients, and state that they are for sensitive or reactive skin.

The biggest word of advice I can give anyone is to always read the ingredient labels, and make sure you know what you are putting onto your skin. Some ingredients may cause your skin to dry out or even clog pores. Steer clear of ingredients such as Mineral Oil and Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, just a few among many others. If you are shopping for new products, and don't know what the ingredients listed are, write them down and look them up.

I suggest giving your current skin care lineup the third degree. Throw out all of your expired products - any active ingredients past their prime will not benefit your skin, and if the products contain natural ingredients, they may go rancid - ew. Write down each one of your products, then look up every ingredient. I know it sounds tedious, but write out all the pros and cons for each one. Is it worth putting on your face? Here is a skin care ingredient glossary, which can be very helpful.

After your skin care interrogation, you may feel overcome by a sense of power. YES, you ARE bigger than these bottles of cream and toner, and you can control the good and bad that goes on your face. Stay posted for Step Two!