Chapter One
Part One-Why Skin Care?
Everyone wants to be beautiful. When we look and feel good, we can face the
world with exuberant confidence, whether at school, at work, or at home. In
other words, when you feel better about yourself, others feel better about you
too! Since our face is our main point of communication, looking our very best
often determines how well we are seen and heard by others. The billions of
dollars we spend on makeup proves that we all want
our skin to have a healthy glow and our face to look
soft, pretty, striking, and stunning. Unfortunately, the
cosmetics industry sells gimmicks, hype, and even lies
along with the creams and lotions we buy. So before
you spend any more money, let's talk about
some basics.
Starting with a fresh, clean surface (your skin) is the key to
creating a beautiful work of art (your makeup). Whether you
apply makeup or not, starting and ending your day with good
skin care is essential to a beautiful face.
A simple skin care program, based on the needs of your
skin type (dry, normal, combination, or oily), can refresh
your skin and help to give it a healthy glow that will enhance
your own natural beauty.
Determining Your Skin's Needs
Let's see what kind of skin you have. Making some simple
observations, put a check in the column
that best describes your skin:
Check It Out
Almost Never Sometimes Monthly Weekly Daily
1. Is your skin prone to pimples?
2. Is your skin prone to blackheads?
3. Do you break out on your back?
4. Do you break out on your upper arms?
5. Do you break out on your chest?
The Answer Is
Check your answers. Use the info below to determine the needs of your skin.
Almost Never-Sometimes-You are blessed to have minor complexion
problems. However, even minor blemishes can turn into huge problems when we have
to face the world from behind a single zit! You should still follow a regular
skin care routine.
Monthly-Your skin tends to be oilier as your body goes through hormonal
changes. You will notice a change just before, during, or after your period.
Altering your skin care routine during your menstrual cycle can help meet the
changing needs of your skin.
Weekly-Daily-Your skin tends to be very oily and needs the utmost care to
look its best. While many over-the-counter products work well, you may need to
consult a dermatologist. It's money well spent and is sometimes covered by your
health insurance. Ask your parents.
Testing Your Skin Type
If you know the special needs of your skin type,
you'll be able to avoid products that irritate your
skin and waste your time and money as well. Use
this simple test to find our your skin type:
Check It Out
What You'll Need: Perm end papers or curl papers and scissors
Step One: First thing in the morning before you wash your face, take
a perm end paper (or curl paper) and cut it into four pieces about the size
of a penny. Gently place one of the four pieces on your forehead, one on
your cheek, one on your nose, and one on your chin. (The papers will stick
on their own from the natural moisture and oils on your skin. If they don't
stick, then you know that particular area of your skin is extremely dry).
Step Two: Wait ten minutes and then remove the papers one by one.
As you remove them, hold them to the light and examine each one to see
how much oil is absorbed from your skin. The dots on the circles below
represent the amount of oil found on each paper. Circle the example that
best resembles the paper you removed from your face:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
The Answer Is
What is your skin type? Circle the answer that best describes your skin:
Dry Normal Combination Oily
Dry- If your skin is dry, then you may have had difficulty getting
the papers to adhere to your skin. Your paper will have little to no oil on it;
however, you may see flakes of dry skin on the paper. Dry skin does not produce
enough oil on its own to retain a healthy amount of moisture. Your skin will be
tight and flaky. Dry dead skin cells will clog your pores beneath the surface,
irritating your skin and causing pimples to form.
Normal-If your skin is normal, it has just enough moisture to make
the paper adhere without appearing shiny. Normal skin is a blessing; you should
be so thankful to have this skin type. Normal skin produces just the right
amount of oils to keep your skin moist without it appearing dry or oily.
Combination-If your skin is combination, it is oily in the T-zone
area (forehead, nose, and chin) and normal to dry elsewhere. Combination skin is
the most common skin type. Combination skin is oily in the T-zone (forehead,
nose, and chin) and tends to break out the most in this area.
Oily-If your face is oily, your paper will be heavily saturated with
oil from your skin and your face most likely appears shiny. Oily skin is linked
to hormonal changes taking place within your body that produce overactive oil
glands. If you have oily skin, your face usually appears shiny no matter how
many times a day you wash it. Oily skin is most prone to severe acne problems.
Sensitive Skin
In addition to your skin type, you may or may not have
"sensitive skin." Does your skin get irritated easily? Do you
tend to break out or develop ruddy, rash-like patches when
you apply any type of skin care product to it? If so, you will
need to purchase products made for "sensitive skin," available
for all four skin types.
Hypoallergenic products usually, but not always, work best
on sensitive skin. Always test a small area of your skin first
before spending too much money on a product. If you have
trouble finding a product that does not irritate your skin,
consult a dermatologist.
The 4 Steps to Skin Care
The four steps to a good skin care routine are cleansing, exfoliating,
toning, and moisturizing.
#1: Cleanser
Cleansing is the first and most important step in skin care. Should you use
cleansing bars, foam cleansers, gels, lotions, milks, or just plain old Noxzema
to wash your face? Well I'm afraid that's for you to decide based on your skin
type. Only you can grade the success of any one product or combination of
products over time. You should notice a positive difference
in your skin within 5 to 10 days if you are using the right product. If not, try
another until you find one that works for you. Don't give up and don't get
discouraged during the search.
Cleanse your face once in the morning and again before you go to bed. Always
use a water-soluble cleanser unless otherwise recommended by a dermatologist.
Make sure the product is gentle to your eyes and has no adverse side effects. If
it does, immediately discontinue use and try another product, or consult a
dermatologist. With your fingertips, gently massage the cleanser into your face
and along your jawline. Rinse thoroughly by splashing water over your face
several times or until all the cleanser is removed.
Dry-Choose water-soluble cleansing milk formulated for dry skin.
Dry skin cleansers contain light emollients (medicated ingredients that
soften and smooth) that leave your skin feeling soft and smooth without
feeling greasy.
Normal-Choose a water-soluble cleansing lotion formulated for
normal skin. It should leave all areas of your skin feeling clean
and refreshed, never tight or greasy.
Combination-Choose a water-soluble, oil-free
cleanser formulated for combination skin.
When you wash your face concentrate on
the T-zone area.
Oily-Choose a water-soluble cleanser
that contains 2 percent salicylic acid
that will loosen the oil and bacteria
from your pores so it rinses easily
from your skin. For blemishes or
acne, use a cleanser containing 3 to
5 percent benzoyl peroxide. More
benzoyl peroxide for more drying
and less for less drying. Follow up
with blemish cream that contains
benzoyl peroxide. Apply it directly
on the blemish.
#2: Exfoliator
Exfoliants or facial scrubs are cleansers
that contain a fine gritty substance formulated
to remove dead skin cells from
the skin's surface and expose fresh, new,
healthy skin. Old layers of surface skin
can clog your pores, trapping dirt and
sweat and making your skin much more
susceptible to blemishes. Exfoliating your
face twice a week gives you the same results as
expensive facials. Using your fingertips in a
circular motion, gently massage the
product into your already dampened
skin. This will buff your skin without irritating
it. Rinse well by splashing water
over your face several times until you no
longer feel any of the cleanser. Gently
blot dry. Apply moisturizer immediately
to protect the healthy new skin cells that
are now exposed. Never use exfoliants
on the delicate skin around your eyes.
Dry-Use a buffing cream to loosen dry skin cells and slough off
flaky dry skin. Be gentle so you don't pull, stretch, or irritate your
skin.
Normal-Exfoliating masks are great for normal skin. Gently massage
it in with your fingertips, leave on (follow directions on the product
label), and rinse off.
Combination-Use exfoliating masks or scrubs for normal to oily skin
types.
Oily-Use an exfoliant that contains AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). AHA
helps dry oily skin. Avoid harsh scrubbing that will open blemishes,
spread bacteria, and make the problem worse.
#3: Toner
Toner is like the rinse cycle in your washing machine. It continues the
cleaning process by lifting and removing any residual dirt or dead skin cells
missed by the cleanser. It also restores the skin to its natural pH level (acid
level that helps repel bacteria from the skin's surface). Don't use toner around
the sensitive eye area, and always apply toner with a cotton
ball or pad.
You might want to keep a bottle of toner and cotton balls, or an
over-the-counter jar of astringent pads, in your PE locker to freshen up your
face after sweating. Good old-fashioned sweat is one of your skin's ways of
natural cleansing. Perspiration
releases dirt from your pores, and it's a good time to apply a refreshing
toner. Your skin will love you for it!
Dry to Normal Skin-Avoid toners that contain
alcohol that will further dry your skin. Look for
toners containing witch hazel. Witch hazel
soothes the skin. Use once in the morning before
you apply moisturizer.
Combination or Oily Skin-Use a toner that contains
alcohol. Alcohol will dry up oily skin. For best results
use toner once in the morning and once at night
before you apply moisturizer.
#4: Moisturizer
After you cleanse, exfoliate, or tone your skin, it's time to
moisturize. Moisturizers don't actually sink beneath your
skin's surface, but they do act as an invisible barrier to
keep your body's natural moisture from escaping. Moisturizers
come in many varieties, from oil-free gels to oily
lotions. Based on your skin type and the changing needs throughout the month,
you might need more than one moisturizer. In the cold, dry months many of us
need heavy lotion to help keep our skin from getting dry and flaky. During the
summer months, and often during your menstrual cycle when skin is oilier, you
will only need a lightweight, oil-free product.
Remember that everyone's skin is
different, so what works for your
friend may not work for you.
Use specially formulated eye
creams or gels for the delicate area
around your eyes. These lotions will
remove puffiness and smooth out the
eye area without irritating your skin.
Application of eye creams requires a
gentle touch. Using your pinky finger,
gently pat the moisturizer on your
skin. Make sure you select moisturizers
that contain sunscreen!
Dry-Dry skin needs a moisturizer
that contains heavy emollients. If you
have specific areas of your face that are much drier
than other areas, then you may want to use two
moisturizers: a heavy moisturizer for those targeted
areas and a lighter moisturizer over the rest of
your face and neck.
Normal-For normal skin apply a lightweight oil-free moisturizer
that doesn't feel heavy or make your skin feel greasy.
Combination-Choose two different types of moisturizers to balance
the two different needs of your skin. Use a lightweight oil-absorbing
formula on your T-zone area and an oil-free moisturizer on the rest of
your face and neck.
Oily-Don't skip this step. Many people think that because their face
is oily they don't need to use moisturizer because it will just get
oilier. However, this is not true. Your skin needs adequate moisture to be
its healthiest and to combat acne. Oily skin responds best to lightweight
oil-free, oil-absorbing lotions or gels that moisturize your
skin without adding additional oils. Another product that works well on
oily skin is hydrating mists. In cases of acute acne it is best to consult
a dermatologist.
Beauty Bonus
There are several other factors that can adversely affect your skin. Are any
of these things you need to address?
Sun-Even a good skin care regimen won't completely counteract the
negative effects of too much sun. Sun can cause irregular pigmentation,
permanent spotting, and premature wrinkling . not to mention various
forms of skin cancer. Dermatologists recommend an SPF (sun protection
factor) of at least 15 for the optimum benefit. Make sure
the product you purchase protects from both UVA and UBA rays. You should
use sunblock not only on your face, but also on every other part of your
body that is exposed. Not only will this protect from sun damage, it will
help to keep your skin moisturized
all over.
Diet-A balanced diet is critical to your overall physical
development. Both lack of good nutrients and fluctuating weight are
detrimental to beautiful skin. Vitamins and minerals
are necessary for the natural repair and replacement of healthy skin
cells. Every time you gain weight your skin has to stretch to keep up.
When you're young, your skin is more elastic; as you age, elasticity is
lost and you're likely to be left with sagging
skin and stretch marks.
Continues.
