Use only the gentlest cleansers and only when necessary.
Dermatologists have reported that many people cause their own problems by over-cleansing. Let’s face it. If your face is not dirty, there is no reason to use a cleanser. If you do not see dirt, you don’t need to worry about invisible particles lurking in your pores.
There is something to be said for the daily massage with warm water and a clean cloth. The friction (if not excessive) will help to remove dead cells and give your face a nice glow. The gentle massaging action will improve circulation.
If you tend to have problems with excessive oiliness, pimples or blackheads, you can address that problem by using a deep cleansing mask on an occasional basis. The mask should contain clay extracts called kaolin and bentone gel. They are well-known for their ability to absorb excessive oils and attract any dust particles that could be present in the pores.
Always use a good moisturizer after you wash your face.
Moisturizers are important for keeping skin healthy, regardless of your complexion type. As long as the ingredients are non-greasy, they will not cause a problem for oily complexions. If they are similar on a molecular level to the oils produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands, they will be quickly and readily absorbed.
The best moisturizers include grape seed oil, Shea butter and Functional Keratin. You can learn more about those ingredients in some of my other articles.
Use common sense when you go out in the sun.
Some sunlight is necessary for the body to synthesize vitamin D, but you need to use common sense. You should not stay out until your face starts to turn pink. In fact, if you are interested in keeping skin healthy, you will always protect your face by wearing a hat with a wide brim and using protective clothing on other body parts.
The value of sunscreens has yet to be proven. Other than zinc oxide, which most people don’t like because it is a thick white cream that does not disappear, none of the sunscreen ingredients have been tested for safety.
Expose your arms and legs to take advantage of the free vitamin D provided by the sun. But, keep your face under cover. Overexposure to the sun contributes to free radical damage, which is a major cause of wrinkles.
Eat the right foods.
Some foods have proven to be beneficial for keeping skin healthy by protecting against UV damage or by providing the nutrients necessary for new growth. Fruits, vegetables, green tea, salmon, soy and many other health foods are as good for your skin’s health and appearance as they are for the rest of your body.
The extracts found in some of the better anti-aging creams are derived from those health foods. Examples include avocado and wakame kelp extract.
Those are the four basic steps for keeping skin healthy. You see. It’s not that hard to do.