Introduction
One of the things that will be remembered about the 21st century is the awareness and consciousness of humans on their aesthetics and beauty. What woman would not love to flaunt a flawless skin? But this is easier said than done. The market is saturated with products that scream beauty and it is never easy to decide what to pick, what to reject; what would suit and what would do further damage. Not everyone can claim to having the same skin as adults, as they did as kids. The increasing pollution, weather changes and poor lifestyle have caused more ruin than good to the human skin. So where does one begin if one wants to maintain a radiant, healthy skin? How should one balance natural products against the cosmetics lining the supermarket shelves for use on the skin?
This guide will help you understand your skin and how you can incorporate healthy habits in your daily regime to get a glowing, beautiful skin that not only makes you appear more vibrant but keeps you looking younger.
Understanding your skin
Before you begin your skin care routine, it is important to understand your skin. Only then will you be able to choose the right products, food and cleansing techniques that work best for you.
Skin Types
Knowing your skin type is critical in deciding which beauty regime would work best for you. Not every product has the same effect on every skin and the usage of some products not suited for a particular skin type can cause further damage to your skin.
Normal skin
The moisture and oil content in a normal skin is well balanced and the skin is usually smooth and even in texture. The pores on a normal skin are small and barely visible. Since such skin is devoid of spots, it needs minimal and gentle care.
Dry skin
Dry skin owners usually suffer from flaky and patchy skin. Such skin type is unable to retain moisture and hence the tendency for wrinkles is high. Cold weather conditions can wreak further havoc on the skin. What such skin needs is constant moisturizing. At the same time, exfoliation of the skin should be kept to a minimum since excessive exfoliation can cause irritation and cause further dryness.
Oily skin
Oily skin tends to appear greasy, which is due to the over-production of sebum. Sebum is an oily secretion from the sebaceous gland, the purpose of which is to provide moisture and lubrication to the skin. Due to excess oil on the skin, dirt and other pollutants stick to the surface of the skin and clog the pores leading to pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Hot and humid weather cause further harm and such skin requires daily cleansing. Exfolitaion is useful in clearing out the pores and limiting breakouts on the skin.
Combination Skin
This is one of the most common skin types and is, as the name suggests, a combination of oily and normal or dry skin. The T-zone, that is the forehaed, nose and chin, are the oily parts while the cheeks, eyes and mouth are normal or dry. Such skin requires differential treatment and there are products available in the market that cater to the combination skin type.
Common Skin Conditions
A lot of people suffer from skin conditions that make it necessary to choose skin care products with caution. Any product you use should not only work towards healing your skin condition but stop it from further recurrence. Here are some of the common skin conditions that people face and what you can do if you are suffering from any of those
Acne
Acne is one of the most common types of skin conditions. The pores in the skin get clogged with dirt and germs, causing breakouts in the skin’s surface. Factors contributing to acne include oily skin, hormonal imbalances, diet and even the use of wrong skin care products.
Eczema
In eczema, the skin gets inflammed and itchy. Such skin is susceptible to dryness, redness and swelling. Such skin requires constant moisturizing and care from cold weather conditions.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which there is excess production of melanin in the skin, leading to darkness and uneven skin tone. Acne is one of the factors leading to hyperpigmentation. Applying sunscreen is one of the ways in which darkening of the skin can be controlled.
Beautifying from outside
The global skin care industry is estimated to be $115 billion by the end of 2015[1]. Asia-Pacific is the largest consumer of skin care products followed by Europe and North America[2]. Spas are more frequent today than they were a decade ago. Everything, from a relaxation massage to a medical treatment for your skin is now available in these beauty shops.
Cosmetics are one of the most common products in use for skin care. Cosmetics help to beautify or alter the look of one’s features and fall into either care cosmetics or the decorative cosmetics category. The ones used for decorative purposes usally fall under the label of “make-up” while the care cosmetics are usually those used by people to cleanse and promote healthy skin. A cosmetic could either be derived from nature like coconut oil, or could be synthetic, consisting of a mixture of synthetics.
Body care products
Cleansers
The very first step in your daily skin routine should be the proper cleansing of your skin. Use of cleansers once a day is usually sufficient, although you must cleanse at night if you’ve worn makeup during the day and to remove excess buildup of oil. Oily skin require cleansing at least twice a day. Gentle cleansers that are water-based work best for normal and dry skins, although oily skin may require products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to prevent further acne. A natural cleanser that works for all skin types can be made naturally at home using almonds, milk and lemon juice.
Exfoliants
Exfoliants help to remove off dead skin cells. The ingredients in the exfoliant loosen the cells on the skin, and the older layer gets scrubbed off in the action of exfoliating. Pores are cleared out, skin texture is improved and scars diminish. Exfoliants should be gently rubbed onto wet, cleansed skin for at least 30 seconds. Depending on the skin type, you may want to exfoliate no more than once or twice a week. You can make exfoliants using natural ingredients like sugar, oatmeal, baking soda or almonds.
Masks
Masks are applied on the face for a certain duration and then removed , leaving behind a radiant, glowing skin
Clay masks use kaolin clay and are left on the skin until it dries. As it dreis, it absorbs the dirt and oil from the skin’s surface and helps to clear pores. Clay masks are generally suited for oily skin, as they soak moisture and oil, leaving the skin drier than earlier.
Peel-off masks generally provide hydration ot the skin and can even be used to treat an uneven skin tone. After the mask dries, it is peeled off. These masks are uaully not used on dry skin, since they dry the skin even further.
Home-made masks can be made by incorporating honey, olive oil, yogurt or flax seeds.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers can be cream or lotion based and are used to hydrate the skin. All skin types, even the oily skin needs moisturizing. Not only does it help retain proper levels of moisture in the skin, moisturizers help prevent wrinkles, dryness, irritation and uneven skin tones.
You can moisturize your skin with items easily found in your home using coconut oil, aloe vera or honey.
Sunscreen
Sun protection is an extremely important aspect of skin care. Expoure to sun causes a host of problems including skin cancer. The harmful UVA and UVB rays lead to uneven skin tones, sagging of the skin and wrinkles. Sunscreen helps protect against these damages. A sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before stepping out and should be reapplied every few hours. The SPF number of the sunscreen indicates how effective the product is in shielding against radiation.
Healthy Skin From Within
A healthy diet goes a long way in giving you a youthful skin. What’s goes inside your body, shows on the surface. One of the key ingredients in your diet must include foods that collagen in your body. Collagen is a protein that forms the connective tissue. This is what gives the skin its elasticity. When the skin starts aging, the collagen in the skin begins to break down, a process that begins in your late 20s. Collagen-boosting nutrients slow down the aging process.
The Must-Haves
Oranges: Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin A and C. Vitamic C provides antioxidants that helps fight skin damage and reduces wrinkles. Vitamin C also helps in the formation of collagen that boosts skin renewal.
Avocado: Avocados contain unsaturated mono-acid that helps to hydrate the skin. Avocados have also been shown to reduce aging.
Grapes: Grapes have a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidation and inflammation.
Salmon: Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid. It helps prevent aging, protects the skin from the harmful radiation of the sun and keeps the skin hydrated.
Water: Water is the easiet therapy for detoxifying skin. Eight glasses of water a day works wonders in hydrating your skin.
The Bad Food List
While you must follow the must-have food list, avoid these foods at all costs if you don’t want your skin to get damaged and age prematurely.
Candy: Anything that says “sugar” is dangerous not only for your skin but also for the overall health of your body. Sugar is one of the main foods responsible for breakouts, inflammation and acne. What’s more, sugar also breaks down collagen, accelerating aging.
Fried foods: Fried items and processed foods like chips are high in oily content and they make oily skin conditions worse including breakouts and recurrence of acne.
White bread: Food items like white bread and pasta are high glycermic foods which promote skin inflammation and acne
Sleep Habits
Late nights and night-outs should be out of your lifestyle if you want to maintain a youthful looking skin. Lack of sleep can cause premature aging, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. There is a good reason why its called “beauty sleep”. One of the reasons that you get dark circles under your eyes is because blood vessels dilate which is exerbated due to lack of sleep. Sleep is important to repair and grow new cells including your skin cells. An eight hour sleep is usually good for repairing the skin, making it look fresh and young.
[1] http://www.statista.com/statistics/254612/global-skin-care-market-size/
[2] http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medicated-skin-care-products.html
