Skin Care GuideThe Ultimate Guide to Skin Care

The first noticeable feature in every woman is her face. As such, it is important to keep it fresh, clean and healthy using a cleansing facial product which suits you.

There is a wide variety of cleansing facial products available in the market, which makes it equally valuable to have a good working knowledge on how to take good care of your beautiful face.

Cleansing facial products are used to remove oil, dirt, make-up and dead skin cells. They help out in unclogging pores and prevent other skin problems like acne.

Most women use cleansing facial products together with a toner and moisturizer as a part of their daily skin care regimen.

Identify your skin type

Before choosing the right cleansing facial product, it is vital to identify your skin type.

Facial skin may be normal, oily, dry or a combination which means that it is normal with oily area in the forehead, nose and chin, which is commonly referred to as the T-zone.

Having this in mind, you can now choose the best cleansing facial product which will best work for your skin type and will give you the best result.

Kinds of cleansing facial products to choose from

• For oily skin, those with active cleansers are advisable. This prevents skin breakouts like pimples.
• For dry skin, a creamy-lotion kind of cleanser will best work for the face.
• For normal skin, choose the cleansers which retain your natural oil level.
• Cleansing creams are also ideal for dry skin and in removing make-up.

The common denominator for these cleansing facial products, is that it must be chemical free to avoid skin irritation and allergic responses.

You can always ask the assistant in your favorite beauty store or search the internet for these harmful chemicals.

It is also helpful to consult your Dermatologist if you are having skin problems and irritations to prevent further problems which can damage your beautiful face.

Facial cleansers vs. soap

Facial cleansers are often recommended than soap, soaps which are of the deodorant type contains harsh detergents and fragrance and are more suitable to the body.

Soaps usually have either a low or high pH which tends to change the pH balance in skin and may lead to skin problems like acne and other irritation.

Generally, soaps have thickeners which can clog pores, remove the face’s natural oils and correspondingly trigger acne. Knowing these, will make you realize that these soaps are not specifically formulated for facial cleansing.

Other cleansing facial tools

Aside from facial cleanser there are also tools to ensure a thorough facial cleansing and a good facial hygiene. Among them are:

• The Woven mesh is used to clean and exfoliate the facial skin. They are gentler and suits most skin types.
• Facial cloths help in releasing a foamy cleanser when wet. Its humectants and emollients components are helpful in decreasing the damage caused to the facial skin when it is being cleaned.
• Weave cloths which are loose and open exfoliates the skin and it is particularly helpful to those who have sensitive skin. Tight or closed weave cloths, on the other hand are suggested for those who have oily skin.
• Cleansing pouch are fiber cloths which helps in putting the right amount of facial cleanser to the face with its hole.

There are several mistakes when it comes to makeup. Achieving the perfect makeup is not an easy issue, because you need to know what suits perfectly your skin. To avoid the basic mistakes in the makeup, just make sure about the quality of the products you are using.

Avoid thick foundation for it adds a heavy makeup on your face and looks extremely artificial on your skin. Instead of that always follow some simple steps in applying the foundation – hydrate the skin well and apply a sheer foundation.

In case, you are using a sponge, you can also use your fingers for applying it, because you will apply less foundation this way.

Never add too much eye-shadow on your eyes, because it looks grotesque. Too much blush on your cheeks is also another way to ruin your stylish makeup.

Apply the color on the highest point of your cheekbones and make sure it is not too close to your nose. Neutral rose colors are a good decision. Skip the dark and dramatic colors.

When you are applying lipstick, the rule you need to remember is following your natural lip lines. Bold colors are a good idea, but make sure you are strictly covering the lips and not adding too much lipstick.

Mineral makeup has surely become one of the hottest things to hit the market in the recent years.

More than just a fad however, mineral makeup has proven evidence that it may be better and healthier for the skin for a number of reasons.

Mineral foundation is one of the most popular products of mineral makeup nowadays, simply because it is very different in terms of formula and weight as compared to traditional cosmetics today.

It provides a lightweight texture that is almost invisible, making it very appealing especially to those who are constantly on the go and who want to avoid touching up, or those who are constantly outdoors. But before you jump on the mineral foundation bandwagon, here are some things you should know:

1. Claims have been made by those with ethnic skin colors that mineral foundation does not provide them the “invisible” coverage it provides fair-skinned women. Because mineral foundation is finely-crushed and comes in limited colors, it may not suit those with ethnic skin tones and may even end up providing an ashy type of color.
2. Although mineral foundation is lightweight, it also provides heavy coverage. Some women have claimed that its heavy coverage emphasizes fine lines and wrinkles, as it does not contain synthetic fillers that traditional makeup is made of. However, those with other types of skin imperfections such as rashes and acne have also claimed that mineral foundation can easily cover these blemishes. Your best bet would be to test various types and brands of mineral foundation before you make a purchase.

However, these didn’t stop avid makeup users to completely stop using mineral foundation. As a matter of fact, mineral foundation has still gained a loyal following all around the world.

Many people swear by it, and once converted they don’t use anything else. There are definitely some benefits to mineral foundation:

1. Because mineral foundation contains finely crushed minerals from the earth, many swear by its illuminating and radiating qualities on the skin. Who wouldn’t want to look flawless and glowing, with just a few strokes of a brush? Even if you have a few blemishes you want to hide, the foundation formula can do the trick for you.
2. The foundation formula also blends so well, making makeup application easier than ever. Say goodbye to yesterday’s hassles of blending a liquid or cream foundation with the blush for the perfect effortless look; the foundations will do that all for you because of their fine and lightweight texture. You may also probably be better off using mineral blush with your foundation to achieve the best effect.
3. Say goodbye to melting makeup when you’re outdoors. The formulation of mineral foundation has been designed to last long and achieves full coverage no matter what it is you have to do. The foundations can also come in shades that you will need whether indoor or outdoor, and some formulas even carry additional SPF for added protection under the sun.

They are hip and cool and after smoking become so last century and uncool, it is the one accessory that still instantly spells cool.

Sunglasses, shades, dark glasses, sun cheaters, call them what you will, are useful for more than just looking cool, or hiding the fact that the morning after the night before is just a little difficult for you!

Good quality sunglasses are anti ultraviolet rays, so they cut out harmful radiation that would otherwise hit your eyes. They protect the pupils of the eyes from strong light penetrating.

Risk of eye problems such as photokeratitis, snow blindness, cataracts, pterygium, and various forms of eye cancer can be lessened as well. They also provide a lot of comfort for when the glare of the sun or artificial light can be harsh and obtrusive.

And think of how you frown and squint to keep the bright light out of your eyes? It is these facial expressions that contribute to the furrows, the lines, the crow’s feet that develop on the face: the side of the eyes, between the brows, bracketing the mouth.

So wearing sunglasses also has the unexpected benefit of helping you keep at bay, these telltale signs of aging for just a tad longer!

With anti-aging being the buzzword that follows us around wherever we go, here are some proven medical treatments that are the best way to fight wrinkles. This is just what the doctor ordered.

Microdermabrasion. A very popular and effective way to make sure that your skin will simply shine.

There are do-it-yourself kits available but to get the best results, and under the best supervision, it’s always great to contact your local spa or your dermatologist and get it done just right.

Aluminum oxide crystals are used to sand the layer of the skin away using a vacuum suction. Yes, it sounds a little bride of Frankenstein-ish, but it totally is worth it.

Peel it way. Another popular technique is getting a chemical peel. In this case, an acid is used to burn the skin away thereby creating an opportunity for new skin to grow and take its place.

However remember Sex & The City’s Samantha and how she decided to get a chemical peel the day of Carrie’s book launch, yeah, exactly.

Make sure you give yourself some time away from the maddening crowd as your skin will be red and a tad puffy afterwards and will need time to recuperate.

Beat ‘em with Botox. Yes we have seen the wonderful Hollywood faces frozen in one facial expression. However, when done right, Botox can be your best friend. This procedure has definitely come a long way.

Forget the nooner, schedule a quick Botox session during your lunch hour and you are done. However make sure that it’s done by a certified medical professional as to ensure that you aren’t walking away with more than smooth skin.

Collagen. Yes we know that collagen is immediately affiliated with those huge bee-sting looking lips. However when done properly, it’s a great temporary fix to make sure that your wrinkles are filled up just right. Collagen can be made from human or cow collagen.

Even collagen taken from your hips can be injected. Yes isn’t medical science marvelous! Keep in mind, just like everything; collagen taken in moderation will be a great fix for your evening out.

Estrogen. Yes, that estrogen. There have been reports of women who are taking estrogen are finding that their skin is much smoother and wrinkle free then before. As always speak to your doctor before diving into this treatment.