A beauty regimen should be basic and uncomplicated. You don't want to overload your skin with products containing unpronounceable ingredients, using a difficult 42 step beauty system. Simplicity is the key. So here are 10 basic steps for holistic skin care.
1. Cleanse not Strip
Cleansing should remove oil and dirt from your skin, without stripping away the natural and beneficial skin oils. It also shouldn't alter the skin's slightly acidic pH level. Avoid using soap on your face because its alkalinity causes pH imbalances, irritation and skin tautness. Some personal research is required to finding an appropriate cleanser for your skin type. Try natural cleansers with coconut-derived fatty acids, which don't produce much lather but can still remove oil and dirt effectively without irritation.
After cleansing, apply toner to maintain pH balance. Toners also contain nourishing ingredients like essential oils which are beneficial to the skin.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliation should be done regularly to slough off dead skin, and reveal the younger and healthier-looking skin beneath.
For exfoliation using chemical methods, common chemical agents are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes and citric acid. For deeper exfoliation using higher concentrations (about 30%), please consult a dermatologist. Over-the-counter products come in lower concentrations (about 5%).
For exfoliation using mechanical means, avoid harsh exfoliating scrubs containing walnut shells or apricot seeds, as these may rupture fragile skin. Instead use scrubs with a milder physical agent like jojoba beads.
3. Fortify
Your skin needs moisture and proper nutrients. Organic face oils and serums help to fortify and protect the skin. They can even work on oily skin as they don't cause acne. Due to their smaller molecular structure, oils are also more easily absorbed into the skin than moisturizing creams.
Moisturizing creams and lotions are another option to effectively hydrate the skin. They work by providing moisture and forming a barrier to prevent water loss. They should be applied after a bath while the skin is still damp.
4. Sun Exposure
Healthy tan is any oxymoron. There's nothing healthy about a tan, which is actually your skin's response to the damaging effects of the sun. The tan is a result of your skin's defense mechanism, in an attempt to repair the damaged cells. It is essentially your body's cry for help. Overexposure to the sun increases your body's production of harmful free radicals, and accelerates aging. Wrinkles, dark spots, rough skin and other signs of aging are associated with excessive sunlight.
Use natural sunblocks with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to protect against UV rays. Synthetic sunblocks are easier to rub into the skin but they contain many chemical ingredients that cause irritation. Also use shades to protect the eyes, and look cool too!
5. Environment
Air pollution damages skin by increasing the production of harmful free radicals. It also contributes to a variety of respiratory ailments. But not everyone is fortunate enough to work close to nature in pollution-free settings; most of us work in busy cities. So try to minimize exposure to air pollution. In certain Asian countries with extreme levels of traffic and air pollution, it's not uncommon to wear air filter face masks.
Dry air, wind, and cold also depletes the skin of essential moisture, resulting in a rough texture and fine lines. Carrying a bottle of floral water in your handbag can help. Generously mist your skin throughout the day. Moisture loss is reduced, and the aromatic ingredients are also very refreshing.
6. Diet, Smoking and Alcohol
A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is not only good for the health, but great for the skin as well. They contain potent antioxidants that protect against the damaging effects of free radicals. Drink lots of water, about 6 to 8 glasses daily to keep your body and skin well hydrated.
We all know the harmful effects of smoking and drinking. Smoking, in particular, is notorious for rapidly accelerating the aging process. I've never met any long-time smoker who looks younger, or who even looks her age. Try to quit smoking, or at least cut down. Not just for beauty reasons, but for health, financial and social reasons as well. Cigarettes aren't cheap,
Air Max Huarache, and nobody likes smelling like an ashtray. Alcoholic beverages dehydrates the skin. So if you must drink, then supplement by taking lots of water. Drink about 2 glasses for every glass of alcohol consumed.
7. Facials
Visit your local spa for a good facial, and to get skin care advise from their beauticians. This should be done at least 4 times annually, with each seasonal change. Though the pampering you get at spas can't be beat, facials can also be done at home as long as quality natural products are used.
8. Sleep
We need 6 to 8 hours sleep daily. The body and mind need time to rest, recover and regenerate. Look how gorgeous Sleeping Beauty was.
9. Exercise
Regular exercise increases blood circulation and delivery of nutrients to skin cells, washing away potentially damaging toxins. It also provides your skin the optimum conditions for producing collagen, which are the support structures that help prevent wrinkles and lines. A small amount of exercise, about a half hour daily, is sufficient to yield benefits. If you aren't exercising at all, then you should! Slowly work exercise into your routine, at a pace you're comfortable with. You can go for a brisk walk or do stretches in the morning, or engage in evening aerobics. It's good for the body, makes your skin glow, and it's fun too!
10. Stress
Stress can cause a variety of skin conditions. Acne is the most common. Eczema, psoriasis and rosacea are also sensitive to stress levels. You may have noticed that skin ailments flare up just before a big event. Then when you go for a stress-free holiday, your skin magically improves.
Try to avoid stressful situations. This may not be possible for the average person with family, friends and work; which are the common contributors of stress. Techniques like meditation, aromatherapy or yoga are very helpful in curbing stress.
5th Step Put the list in an order of priority. Which area of your life needs action most urgently? When would you like to have this achieved by? Set dates for the other areas, being realistic - but being true to you.6th Step What is the first step to achieving your goals? Who can help you? What resources do you need? Where can you get these? What additional learning do you need? Where can you find out about this? When are you going to begin? How important is this goal?7th Step Why are you doing this? What is motivating you? If you do not have a big enough reason 'why,' you will find yourself falling off the wagon. Like many new year resolutions people make, it will be overlooked and your life will be left to chance once more. How do you want to feel when you look back in 10 years and remember the dreams you once had, that you didn't 'bother' to achieve?
Decide how important this is to you, your family. Choose to make it a priority in your life. Many of my clients come to me because they have goals, but they know unless they are accountable or spend time each month focusing on their goals with me, their coach - they will give up on them. And they are serious about changing their lives, using goal setting strategies to get what they want.8th Step Who will you share your goal with? Be careful here. I have found that if we are too free with our excitement about how we're designing our lives - others do not always support us and try to prick our bubble. Sometimes, friends and family like life to be the way it is and that's that. They do not want anything to change. It can be that they do not want to see us start something and then fail.
10 Basic Steps to Beautiful Skin_1498
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