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LEARN THE BASIC STEPS FOR GOOD DAILY SKIN CARE: CLEANSING
Now that we have identified your skin type, let’s talk about the first steps of our daily skin care regimen: cleansing (exfoliation) and toner application.
On average we renew our skin surface every 10 days. However, age, diet, poor health or lack of daily skin care can slow the cell renewal process. Exfoliation, either manual or chemical, improves cell turnover and thus the production of new healthy cells. Exfoliation can be manual, either by daily cleansing, a microdermabrasion or a Hydrafacial treatment, or chemical, with acid peels. All of these rejuvenate and maintain the health of your skin.
Good skin care starts with scrubbing your skin for at least 2 minutes with a washcloth or facial brush twice a day in the morning and evening. This serves to manually exfoliate your top layer of skin and allow the healthy layers to move to the surface. I like to use the Clarisonic, but there are many available options.
You should also incorporate a daily cleanser into your exfoliation regimen.
- Clients with normal skin have many options. I prefer a Vitamin “C” cleanser. It aids in exfoliating and gives your skin a healthy glow. I also like to alternate the cleansers I use: some days I use Vitamin C, others a milk cleanser or a seasonal cleanser (such as pumpkin).
- Clients with combination skin may need to use products that specifically address your issues. Most skin care lines offer products for this skin type.
- Clients with dry skin should use a creamy cleanser such as milk cleanser which washes away impurities without drying your skin.
- Clients with oily skin should use a cleanser containing salicylic acid, which is helpful in reducing sebum production, a main contributor to oily skin. If you find this is too irritating, green tea cleansers can be less irritating.
- For clients with sensitive skin, I recommend a gentle milk cleanser which may contain rose water to gently cleanse the skin and not cause irritation.
Let’s talk about toners. Toners used for skin care are designed to further cleanse your skin after exfoliating with a cleanser. Toners can be applied with a cotton ball, gauze or spray. There are several types:
- Skin fresheners contain water, a humectant (substance which helps retain moisture in your skin) and little or no alcohol. An example is rose water. Skin fresheners are recommended for dry, normal or sensitive skin.
- Skin tonics are slightly stronger with up to 20% alcohol, water and a humectant. Orange flower water is an example. Skin tonics are recommended for normal, combination or oily skin.
- Astringents are the strongest form of toner and contain 20-60% alcohol, antiseptics, water and a humectant. These can be irritating to the skin and are only recommended in limited cases.
Stay tuned next week to find out about the next step in good skin care: application of a serum!
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