Skin Care

Our face is our canvas. Until we reach our thirties, our skin is able to renew and maintain itself quite easily. But as we get older, we need more help to maintain its health and appearance. Between not drinking enough water, the stress of daily life, poor diet, and the effects of the environment - including sun and wind, not to mention the indoor hazards of ultraviolet light, poor air circulation, and drying heat - we wreak havoc on our skin. Thankfully, we can do a lot to help recharge and rejuvenate our largest organ through the creative use of makeup. We must now determine what kind of skin you have.


Understanding Your Skin Type

Our skin, like the weather and our moods, does change. Rarely will you always be dry or oily. Changes in weather, diet, or menstrual cycle can cause your skin to feel drier, oilier, or even more acne-prone. having said that, however, most of us do tend to experience some sort of combination skin, being prone to having dry or oily skin the majority of the time.


OILY SKIN

Those of us with oily skin don't appreciate the fact that oil production helps maintain a youthful look and keeps us wrinkle-free longer than most. All we see is that shiny nose, the glowing forehead, and the shadow of another zit ready to surface. As we try to dry out the oils by using harsh, drying cleansers and applying products with alcohol to strip away the shine, we achieve a temporary oil-free, matte-finish effect. In the long run, however, this actually exacerbates the situation, by causing the sebaceous glands of the skin to produce even more oil.

COMBINATION SKIN

I believe most of us fall into this category. Our skin tends to be oilier in the T-zone (the area across our forehead and down the nose to the chin), but dry around the edges. Combination skin creates confusion among women since we are not sure if we should continue to moisturise or not -- especially in spots where our skin is oily. Remember, whether we have dry or oily skin most of the time, we all need to moisturise around our eyes and lips to prevent those crow's-feet (wrinkles) from developing. 

SENSITIVE SKIN

Many of us have experienced an unpleasant reaction to skin products at one time or another. Those of us with sensitive skin must be diligent in our search for hypoallergenic cosmetics in order to prevent skin reactions from occurring.

No Woman Can Do Without It: Moisturiser

Everyone can use a little moisturising, and it's important to moisturise your insides as well as your outside. How do you take care of those vital organs? Drink plenty of water! Not only does water help eliminate the natural toxic buildup in all the organs and tissues of your body, but it also helps keep your skin hydrated. In addition, using a topical moisturiser at least once daily will also help to keep your skin feeling moist and healthy.