Skin Care Basic

1. Proper facial cleaning.

It is ideal to clean your skin 3 times a day. Do not skip the cleansing process at night. If you wear make-up during the day, make sure that you use facial cleansers to remove all traces of make-up and dead cells before you go to bed. If you are wearing heavy make-up, try using a make-up remover first before using a facial cleanser.

1) Never use a cleanser that would be too strong on your face i.e. deodorant soap or heavy cleansing gel.

2) Unless your face is extremely sensitive or oily, a normal gentle, light lotion or cream based product will do.

3) Splashing a bit of water on your face before cleaning or use slightly wet cotton to wipe your face with the facial cleanser will to maximize the effectiveness of cleansing.

4) Do not use hot or cold water when cleaning your face. Instead, always wash with warm water.

2. Protecting your skin from the sun

Most women do not know that exposing their skin too much to the sunlight is actually hazardous to the skin. It can create aging effect on the skin whereby it will slowly but surely cause wrinkles and skin problems such as dry skin or even skin cancer. In the end, one may need to spend tons of money to remedy the problem. So why not take precautions right from the start and save your money, time and most importantly your skin.

1) Wear a sunscreen on your face and body whenever you are outdoors. Products with SPF 15 or above will do as SPF 15 sunscreen alone can absorb about 90% of the sunburn rays (which means 15 times higher than not wearing any sunscreen). Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 when you are planning to engage in activities such as swimming, tennis, jogging or other outdoor activities for a long period of time - they are estimated to absorb more than 95% of sunburn rays. Products with SPF 30 and above are actually not really necessary unless you want to block your whole skin from the sun.

2) Always carry a small bottle of sunscreen lotion in your handbag. Apply a little onto your face, hands, neck, and chin. Take special precaution around your eyes as they are the most sensitive and fragile areas when exposed to the sun.

3) In order to save time and trouble, use products such as moisturizers, foundation or lipstick which contains sunscreen protection.

4) If you find that a certain type of sunscreen does not suit you as it causes your skin to break out in rashes, quickly discontinue its use. People with sensitive skin and skin problems are advised to consult a dermatologist or specialist for the right skin product.

3. Is moisturizer important?

Some people require moisturizer while others do not. For people with dry skin, moisturizer is definitely a must while people with oily skin are advised against frequent use of moisturizer as it might worsen their acne problem. However, in a pre-make up stage, applying moisturizer will help smooth one's foundation.

1) Make sure that you choose a moisturizer that is suitable to your skin type. For dry skin - you will need a heavier moisturizer product for example, those that contain plant oil i.e. macadamia oil. For normal skin- a lighter moisturizer will do, perhaps one of the water-based products. For oily skin- try to avoid using moisturizer as you already have the natural layer needed, however, if you insist, then try to choose the oil-free range products.

2) There is no rule saying that you need to moisturize your whole face. In fact, the number one rule in moisturizing your face is not to overdo it as it can create a negative effect on your skin. Moisturizer is more effective on drier areas of your face such as your forehead or checks.

3) Maximize the effect of your moisturizer by gently rubbing it with your fingers in circular motion around your face.

4. Using Mask

More and more women like to apply masks on their face or visit expensive beauty parlours for such treatment. Mask is actually useful as it better cleans your pores and removes dead cells. The refreshing effect after putting on a mask is astonishing. However, do not overdo it - on an average once a month will be sufficient. Most beauticians and spa operators charge expensive rates for performing mask treatment. We believe that there are other equally effective methods where one can try at home without the expensive price.

Below are some traditional mask recipes that we have collected from various women in Asia.com readers, *warning: some treatment might work for you whilst others may not.

1) Mayonnaise -a wonderful moisturizing treatment not only effective on your face but on your hair as well. It is available in most supermarkets in a jar form. Leave the treatment on for about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

2) Smashed wheat grass - This is more of an Asian method. Smash the wheat grass (specially grown from wheat seeds) and apply the juice and the remaining wheat grass around your face. Leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with water. The effect is extremely refreshing and it helps to cure pore problem.