If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that celebrities seem to have the greatest skin regimens – and ultimately, skin – compared to everyone else that we know, in real life. The great news is, you don’t have to be a celebrity to give yourself a top-class face regimen.
(Disclaimer: This post was made possible by Facing Acne)
Here are the rules to your own all-star treatment.
1. Know thy skin.
It may seem easy to hit up your local drug store and pack your basket full of goodies, but save yourself the time and money by knowing exactly what you need. There are five skin types: normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination skin.
Normal skin is clear, balanced and not really sensitive.
Dry skin is often flaky, scaly, rough and can feel too taut.
Oily skin is greasy, shiny and usually accompanied by large pores.
Sensitive skin gets itchy, stingy or starts to burn when it comes into contact with different products.
Combination skin is both dry and oily, and maybe even sensitive – dry on the cheeks and oily in the T-zone.
Different skin types require different types of care, so you need to know yours for best results.
2. Cleansing
A staple of any beauty regimen, you need to keep your skin clean if you want beautiful, clear skin. How you cleanse your skin will vary, based on the type of skin you have. If you have normal skin, you can use just about any cleanser, soap or wash that suits you.
If you have dry skin, use an alcohol-free cleanser and avoid hot water. You should also do a weekly exfoliation with a scrub, to keep the flaky dead cells from clogging your pores and causing acne.
For oily complexions, use an oil-free foaming cleanser, and be sure to apply astringent or toner afterward. That will help to dry out excess oils.
For sensitive skin, use a gentle cleanser and always pat dry afterwards. Your cleaner should be free of any harsh soaps, alcohol, acids and even fragrance, while being infused with calming ingredients like aloe, chamomile, green tea or oatmeal.
Combination skin requires combination cleansers to tackle your unique needs.
Be sure to cleanse at least once daily, and after you perspire, to rid yourself of daily toxins.
3. Moisturizing
This part is a total no-brainer. Well-hydrated and moisturized skin will keep you looking fresh, while avoiding wrinkles and other skin problems accompanied by dehydrated skin. There are different moisturizers for different types of skin, and even different times of day.
Try a light, non-greasy cream for the day time, under your makeup or if you have oily skin – because even oily skin needs moisturizer.
If you have dry skin, opt for a heavier, nourishing cream. A lot of celebrities have admitted to using special night creams before bedtime, to help their skin replenish while they sleep.
The best bet for skin moisturizer is to use what works for your unique type. Moisturizing is key to youthful looking skin. If you want a cleansing system and moisturizer to help you get clear skin, you could try Proactiv, for a complete skin-care routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, toning, exfoliation and even spot-treatment.
4. Sunscreen
Whether it’s sunny or rainy outside, a proper sunscreen with a 30+ SPF should be a part of your daily routine, if you want celebrity-grade skin. A lot of celebrities swear by sunscreen for the purpose of remaining youthful-looking, battling the lines and wrinkles that come from sun-exposure.
You can use sunscreen-infused facial moisturizers, especially if you don’t want to apply a greasy sunscreen formula on top of your daily face cream. Also, you should apply it before you put on your makeup and after you cleanse and moisturize. Better yet, use makeup that has its own SPF.
5. Makeup
Makeup goes hand-in-hand with cleansing – not only for removing makeup, but for applying it, as well. Before you put on your game face, be sure to cleanse your skin – even if you’ve just woken up in the morning. Your skin secretes toxins out of your body during your sleeping-healing process. You don’t want to seal those in under your makeup, as that leaves room for your pores to get clogged and causes acne.
To keep your skin clean, you also need to remove your makeup every day. Some celebrities opt to use cleansing oil, to remove all makeup while staying moisturized. Others use a cleansing balm to remove heavy makeup, instead of oil. The point is, leftover makeup is the enemy of clear, healthy skin. So, make sure you get rid of it before you catch some sleep.
6. Maintenance
Round up your skin care routine with a monthly facial for total exfoliation and glow-maintenance. Try some celebrity-grade masks like a bio-cellulose face mask or some pro-collagen under eye masks for plumper skin. The real trick to beautiful skin is a regular routine, with products that work especially for you.
(Disclaimer: This post was made possible by Facing Acne)