Best Things You Can Do for Your Skin

The basics for skin care are the easiest way to start. Naturally, a good diet, exercise and adequate sleep are the basic building blocks for healthy-looking skin.

But beyond those key factors, the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it, which means combating the effects of your environment with a proper cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.

We're often deterred from taking these obvious steps because we don't experience instant success. But there is no magic cream that produces immediate effects: you can't anticipate that a cosmetic product will work faster than a medical therapy. You can expect to use a new skin care product or regime for six to eight weeks before you really see the results.

When you're young, your skin can recuperate from almost any insult you throw at it. As you age, however, your skin loses its elasticity and ability to recover from damage. The earlier you take action to care for your skin, the more damage you will be able to prevent. You may even be able to reverse what has already occurred.

That's why it's important to understand the state your skin is in now, anticipate where it is going and have a five-year goal.

The skin, like any organ of the body, changes with age, so you'll need to alter the skin care routine and products you choose now to maintain the results you want to achieve in the future--but the fundamentals remain the same. As you strive to make your skin look its best, remember there is no one product that does it all. Product choices have to be tailored to each skin type, determined by whether your skin is tolerant or sensitive, oily or dry.

Cleanser

Your skin is your interface with the world, and your barrier to outside influences. It acts as a protective film that keeps the outside out, and the inside in. Because you are exposed to so many factors in your environment, a cleanser is an important and very simple part of daily care.

These synthetic detergents are designed for short contact with the skin, and to be well rinsed off to avoid irritation. You don't want to leave any residual soap on your skin. For those with sensitive skin, a foaming wash may be a good choice, just as a cleanser with salicylic acid may help someone with blackheads as a major part of their acne.

Moisturizer

A good moisturizer is the force-field that protects your skin from common environmental and topical irritants. As your skin's invisible shield, it reduces the evaporation of water by including occlusive barriers like petrolatum, mineral oil or lanolin.

A moisturizer also has factors that attract water to the outer layer of the skin. These humectants include glycerine, urea, propylene glycol and gelatin.

The final component of a moisturizer is an emollient that fills in the tiny crevices between the outer flakes of skin to give a nice, smooth, soft texture. Your moisturizer should spread well, stay in place and not evaporate to leave you unprotected.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens, which are an entire topic in themselves, should be a part of your daily routine for those times when you just can't avoid that dash outside in the light of day. The big thing about sun is that it bites you as soon as you go outside. There is no "five-second rule." Put on your broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30, every morning.

In General

Look for products that make you feel comfortable and produce the desired effect. As for price, use common sense. You should judge how much the price difference is validated by the results you get. While you often get what you pay for, there may be a price point beyond which you do not get a significant benefit.

Finally, if you are having trouble with anything you are putting on your skin, stop using it! Swelling or redness around the eyes is often the first big tip-off. If you are concerned, do a use-test first, by applying a product behind your ears for a couple of days.

For everyone who wants to look great, the only route is consistency and attention to skin management. "Wash-and-wear" eventually looks worn. You can ignore your skin, but time won't.

The Worst Things You Can Do For Your Skin

Two words: smoking and tanning. These activities will not only age you, but will cause irreparable damage.

If you are still smoking, just stop. Your skin will lose that sallow, thickened and unhealthy appearance faster than many topical therapies could help you.

It's even worse to ignore changes that are happening on your skin: benign neglect is not an acceptable approach to healthy skin. Pay attention to spots that change. A simple guideline is to see your doctor if you have a spot that doesn't heal within two to three months.

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