Skin care is the collection of practices that support skin health, improve its appearance and alleviate common skin disorders. They usually include proper usage of moisturizers, avoidance of sun exposure and use of specific emollients for special purposes. Skin care includes a detailed assessment of the type of skin, lifestyle, diet, daily activities etc. followed by specific actions to maintain and improve skin health.
Skin is the largest organ in our body. It has several functions such as protection from microorganisms and elimination of wastes. Regular cleansing is required and it can be done using different methods such as soap and water, soft and hot water, or a combination of both. Mild to moderate moisturizer helps maintaining the regular skin care routine and avoiding flakiness, redness and itching due to dryness.
There are many components of skin care products which contribute in maintaining the skin’s health and appearance. Skin care usually involves four basic steps: cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protection. Cleansing removes dirt, excess oil and other contaminants from the skin. Toning helps to refine the appearance of the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles, while moisturizing keeps skin looking vibrant and supple.
Common ingredients in a good moisturizer include Shea butter, glycerin, glycol, active manuka honey, caprylic acid and copper sulfate. To maintain a proper skin care routine, a cleanser and toner are applied to the face at least twice per day. A moisturizer acts as an antiseptic and protects the skin from external elements such as wind, dust, sun, humidity and other pollutants. To preserve the texture of the skin, a daily moisturizer is applied after washing.
Some doctors and dermatologists recommend a skin care routine that includes using a mild daily cleanser and toner, while using a nighttime moisturizer, as well. The cleanser cleans the outermost layer of the skin, while the toner tightens the pores and removes excess oil. In addition, a humidifier may be used in the bedroom at night. For normal to dry skin, sunscreen may be used as well. For those with oily skin, it is recommended to avoid using any form of make-up as excess oil makes the skin more susceptible to acne breakouts.
Sun protection should be part of any skin care regimen. In general, a fifteen-minute walk in the early morning is enough to provide adequate protection against sun exposure. While sun protection measures are not strictly mandatory, a lack of them may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Although sun protection should be a priority in a skin care regimen, it may not always be possible to prevent exposure to the sun. Therefore, it is important to apply sunscreen each time you go outside to limit its exposure to harmful UV rays.