Skincare Basics for Healthy, Glowing Skin

Enjoying great and healthy skin, we have to admit, comes with effort and regularity. Skincare does not involve occasional visits to the dermatologist or aesthetician. The very foundation of great skin is in the daily regimen you have. With a regular skincare routine, you can keep aging, wrinkles and sun damage at bay.

And it is important to begin this regimen as soon as you can. Daily, our face is made to bear the damages of sun exposure, the natural process of aging, pollution and stress. If we don’t keep to a skincare regimen, you will find that your face will really show those damages. Failure to cleanse and moisturize will leave your skin dull and lifeless – wrinkles and age spots will start to show up and if you don’t make a move early on, you might have more skin issues to deal with later.

The basics for a great (yet simple skincare regimen) can be summarized in five words: cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and protect.

Cleanse:

The first step is to cleanse the day away from your face when you come home at night. Wash off the dirt and grime (as well as makeup) that has accumulated throughout the day.

Start with a makeup remover. Then, you can wash or cleanse your face. When you cleanse, it is best to use a facial wash, instead of bar soaps. Bar soaps are not designed for the face, especially for those that have sensitive skin. To wash your face, use warm water to clean any clogged pores. Then, gently massage the cleanser on your face and rinse with lukewarm or cool water. Another way to cleanse is to use cold cream which you can wipe off without the need of using any water.

Please take note that if you have normal to dry skin, you can actually do too much cleansing, which will result to dry skin. We recommend that you only cleanse in the evenings. Washing your face with just lukewarm water will suffice in the mornings – it’s actually helpful to get rid of excess oils that may have accummulated during the night. If you have oily skin, you may have to cleanse your face more often during the day.

Exfoliate:

Exfoliating is important even when you are cleansing your skin. Even with cleansing, there may still be dead skin cells left in your skin that block your pores and result in blackheads, whiteheads or acne. You can exfoliate at home using a facial scrub or a sponge. Removing the dead skin cells will make new, healthier skin cells appear on the surface, making your face look younger, fresher.

You can also make use of dermatological treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion. These rid your face of dead skin cells and improve your complexion. The same goes for retinoids – which rids your face of the dead skin cells while encouraging the production of collagen.

You should exfoliate only once or twice a week, at most. As with too much cleansing, too much exfoliation will dry the skin.

Tone:

You can also use a toner to seal the pores of the skin to prevent toxins and debris that can harm the skin. The use of a toner is still subject for debate and aestheticians still disagree about the use of toners. But whn using the right toner, such as the Obagi Nu-Derm toner that hydrates and ensures that your skin’s pH balance is at normal levels, a toner can be a great addition to your skincare regimen.

Moisturizer:

Hydration is necessary for your skin to maintain its youthful glow. A great moisturizer will ensure that the moisture is effectively locked on the surface of your skin – ensuring a complexion that is vibrant, soft and supple.

Protect:

The harmful UV and UVB rays from the sun are actually one of the worst enemies of your face. You need to protect it with the use of a good sunscreen. “Good” one will have an SPF of 30 or more. If you are outdoors a lot, you should also take time to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

Other skincare tips:

Aside from these five habits, you should also:

-          Nourish yourself well. Good food will result into radiant skin. There are nutrients you can take in that will fight antioxidants that promote skin health. Eat a balanced diet that is composed of fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and cereals, meat and dairy products that are low in fat and fish rich in omega-3s.

-          Get physical. Exercise! When you do, you promote your body’s circulation and as you sweat it out, you also clear your pores of any blockages.

-          Remember to use eye creams. The area around the eye is especially vulnerable to signs of skin aging. That is why it needs more attention. A daily regimen that includes the use of eye creams is recommended.

-          Understand your skin’s needs. You should also know which facial products to use for your type of skin. You see, oily skin will need different formulations as opposed to normal or dry skin. This is particularly important if you have sensitive skin which is prone to irritation and redness if you use the wrong ingredients.

-          Use anti-aging creams and lotions. Obagi’s professional C serum and similar products penetrate deep into the skin to renew the skin and smoothe out the wrinkles and clear the blemishes.

-          Get enough sleep. It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing. You should get enough zzzzs to ensure that your skin looks vibrant and healthy.

With the right skincare regimen, you can enjoy radiant, beautiful skin even through the years. You should start with products that have been tested and proven to work. One such brand would be the Obagi line of skincare products.

Obagi is proud to present its line, which include the Obagi Nu-Derm System and the Obagi Professional C Serum, among others. Obagi is the one dermatologists and aestheticians turn to to provide skin care products that are not just clinically-proven to provide transformation for visibly improved skin.