Many people experience skin problems or other complaints at a certain age, such as acne, spots, facial wrinkles, dry, sensitive, or oily skin. Although this problem is difficult to avoid, you can treat or prevent it by taking care of your skin according to the instructions in this article. Set realistic goals, but don't be discouraged if you see results after a few months. Consult a dermatologist if you need detailed information about your skin condition.
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Method 1 of 3: Regular Skin Care
Step 1. Determine your skin type
Wash your face with clean water, pat your face with a dry towel, then wait for 1 hour. Prepare a clean tissue, press on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead, then observe the presence or absence of oil spots on the tissue. Then, determine your skin type according to the following guidelines:
- If there are no oily patches on the tissue and your skin doesn't feel tight or dry, you have normal skin.
- If there are oil spots on the tissue, you have oily skin and breakouts easily.
- If there are no oil marks on the tissue, but your skin feels tight and slightly rough, you have dry skin.
- Combination skin means you have both dry and oily skin. If you have combination skin, the skin on your cheeks is dry and a bit rough, but the T area (forehead, nose and chin) is oily. Combination skin pores are usually more visible only in the T area.
- If your skin is often red and irritated, you have sensitive skin.
- If there are fine lines or facial wrinkles, you are experiencing premature aging (for young adults).
Step 2. Prepare skin care products according to skin type
When looking for products to cleanse, moisturize, or tighten pores, make sure you choose the right product for your skin type. Read the ingredients on the product packaging or look for information on the label on the bottle about "skin type".
- If you have dry or sensitive skin, don't use products that contain dry ingredients, such as salicylic acid.
- If you have oily skin, avoid cleansing products or oil-based makeup, as they can clog your pores.
- If your skin is prone to breakouts, use a lotion-type product that doesn't irritate the skin and doesn't clog pores.
- If your skin is sensitive, use a product that contains a maximum of 10 kinds of ingredients.
- If your skin is aging prematurely, choose products that contain moisturizers and hydrate the skin.
Step 3. Clean your face from makeup using makeup remover (products to lift cosmetics) if you apply makeup
Before going to bed at night or after exercising, clean your face from make-up using a special wet tissue or cotton swab spiked with makeup remover. Gently wipe the wet tissue/cotton on the face, especially on the makeup area. Clean your face in circular motions until there is no cosmetic on the tissue/cotton, then continue with your facial routine.
- To clean your face from makeup, use an oil-free makeup remover, micellar water, or a special wet tissue for the face.
- If left overnight, cosmetics will clog facial pores and hinder the recovery of skin cells that experience stress during daily life. This can lead to blackheads, pimples, very oily skin, and other problems!
Step 4. Clean your face 2 times a day using a non-irritating facial soap
Wet your face with lukewarm water. Pour enough facial soap on the palms, spread evenly on both palms, then rub the soap gently on the face. Rinse your face with water to remove the soap and then pat your face dry with a dry towel.
- Hot water opens the skin pores and irritates the skin. Cold water closes the pores of the skin, but oil and dirt get trapped in the pores. So, use lukewarm water to clean your face in a safe way.
- Before washing your face, hold your hair back with bobby pins or a headband so that your face can be thoroughly cleaned.
Step 5. Apply enough moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated
Pour moisturizer on fingertips and apply evenly on both palms. Then, apply moisturizer on the face, especially on areas of the face that are very dry, such as the forehead, chin, and cheeks. Allow the moisturizer to soak into the skin for at least 5 minutes before using another product.
- If your skin is normal (not dry, not oily), use a water-based moisturizer.
- If your skin is dry, use an oil-based moisturizer that hydrates your skin.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, use a moisturizer in the form of a water-based lotion.
- Skin that experiences premature aging is usually very dry. So, use a moisturizer in the form of an oil or petrolatum-based cream.
Step 6. Exfoliate your facial skin once a week to remove dead skin cells
You can use a solid exfoliant or a chemical liquid. Dense exfoliants usually come in the form of a scrub, but according to many dermatologists, this method is very bad for the skin. However, if you want to use a scrub, no more than once a week. If you use it too often, your skin will become red and irritated, especially if you have sensitive skin. Wet your face with clean water, prepare an appropriate amount of exfoliant in your palm, then take it with your fingertips. Gently apply the exfoliant to your skin in circular motions, especially on oily areas of your face, but avoid lower eyelids and acne-prone skin. Rinse your face with clean water and then pat dry with a dry towel.
- Dense exfoliants contain small, abrasive particles to remove dead skin cells and rejuvenate the skin. If your skin is very dry, ask a dermatologist about chemical exfoliants. Even though it looks dangerous, exfoliating using chemical liquids minimizes skin irritation and is safe for all skin types. Look for an exfoliant that contains an alphahydroxy acid (AHA), such as glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid.
- Exfoliants make the skin very dry. So, apply moisturizer after exfoliating your skin.
Step 7. Protect your skin with sunscreen before going outside
Prepare a sunscreen that contains an SPF of at least 30 and then apply it on the skin before traveling. Sunscreen protects the skin from the sun so it doesn't burn, dry, and wrinkle in the future.
Don't forget to use sunscreen if you want to travel from morning to evening, including during the rainy season or snow season. Even though the weather is cloudy, you are still exposed to the sun and its effects when you are outdoors
Method 2 of 3: Overcome Skin Disorders
Step 1. Treat acne using products that normalize the skin
Choose a facial cleanser that contains triclosan, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. Use an oil-free moisturizer in the form of a lotion to prevent dry skin from using these products. Consult a dermatologist if the pimple has not healed.
- Acne is a very common problem and experienced by many people, especially teenagers and young adults.
- In addition to taking care of your skin regularly, you can treat acne using over-the-counter medications, usually in the form of creams or ointments. Medications that contain certain ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, and acetic acid are very effective in treating acne. Although topical creams are available over-the-counter at pharmacies, you will need a doctor's note to purchase an acne medication with a higher concentration of ingredients.
- Do not touch or squeeze the pimple so as not to get worse or cause facial scars.
Step 2. Remove facial wrinkles using products that contain antioxidants
Buy a moisturizing cream or lotion that contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are useful in neutralizing free radicals that damage skin cells and cause symptoms of premature aging. Antioxidants are found in several basic ingredients of skin care products, such as tea extract, retinoids (compounds chemically related to vitamin A), and kinetin (a plant compound that is believed to increase collagen in the skin).
- Facial wrinkles are common with age and are not a bad thing. You don't have to hide anything natural in the aging process!
- Talk to a dermatologist about how to get rid of facial wrinkles using retinoid acid, which is a form of vitamin A that you can buy if you have a doctor's prescription.
Step 3. Remove spots using retinoid products
Buy skin care products that contain retinoids and use them every day. Retinoids are useful for exfoliating the skin by lifting the top layer of skin that is different in color so that a new layer of healthy skin makes the skin tone even and the face looks fresher.
- The causes of spots are very diverse, for example exposure to sunlight, pregnancy, menopause, medication, or acne.
- If you use retinoid products, your skin condition will improve after a few months.
- The best way to prevent spots is to protect the skin using sunscreen.
Step 4. Use a face mask to moisturize and hydrate the skin
Face masks are usually in the form of thick cream to be applied to the face and then allowed to dry to moisturize, hydrate, and brighten the skin. Choose a mask that suits your skin type for maximum results. Use a face mask a maximum of once a week so that the skin does not have problems.
You can use homemade or store-bought face masks
Step 5. Treat sensitive skin with care if your skin is sensitive
When buying products for sensitive skin, such as facial soaps, moisturizers, etc., choose products that are not dyed and perfumed because these ingredients usually trigger unwanted reactions. Choose products that contain few ingredients. Look for facial moisturizing soaps and creams with a maximum of 10 ingredients.
- The characteristics of sensitive skin are very diverse. Your skin is sensitive if it is red or irritated after using facial skin care products or cosmetics.
- Use products or makeup that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients and are safe for the skin, such as chamomile, caffeine-free tea, aloe vera, calendula, oats, and marine plants.
Step 6. See a dermatologist if your skin condition is particularly problematic
Consult a dermatologist to find out the best therapy if you have frequent acne, psoriasis, flushing, or deep scars. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss the solution.
Dermatologists may prescribe medications in the form of creams, lotions, or ointments to keep your skin trouble-free
Method 3 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Run a diet by eating foods high in vitamins and a balanced menu
Keep your body healthy so that your skin is also healthy by eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free protein sources, and healthy fats. The condition of the skin is influenced by the health of the body. Therefore, you must maintain a healthy body if you want to have healthy and youthful skin.
You can take special supplements for hair and skin care that contain vitamin B and vitamin K
Step 2. Get in the habit of drinking about 8 glasses of water a day to keep the body hydrated
Although there is no direct correlation between a hydrated body and healthy skin, drinking water plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. Bring a bottle of water with you when you travel so you can drink whenever you feel thirsty to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Avoid fluids that cause dehydration, such as coffee or alcohol
Step 3. Get used to sleep at least 8 hours every day so that the skin always looks fresh
Lack of sleep causes the lower eyelids to darken and the skin to look haggard. Apply a consistent sleep schedule so that you get used to getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Skin recovers and repairs while you sleep.
- For teenagers, get into the habit of sleeping 9-10 hours every day.
- A good night's sleep is useful for maintaining physical and mental health.
Step 4. Relieve stress so that skin health problems don't get worse
Stress has a negative impact on skin health, for example triggering excessive oil secretion, acne, red skin, sensitivity, and facial wrinkles. Take time to do activities that are useful for reducing stress on a regular basis, such as practicing yoga, meditation, painting, reading books, or drawing.
Ways to relieve stress are very diverse and the results are different for each person. So, do various ways until you find the most effective method
Step 5. Don't smoke
The content of ingredients in cigarettes causes spots and wrinkles on the face. In addition, the skin looks much older than its actual age. If you smoke, get rid of this habit as soon as possible for healthier and fresher skin.
- Quitting smoking is not easy, but with strong determination and support from friends or family, you can do it.
- Use patches and nicotine gum to remind you not to smoke.
Tips
- Before using a product to treat your skin, do a test by applying a small amount of lotion or cream on your wrist or forearm to see what effect it has.
- Do not touch your face during daily activities, except when washing or caring for facial skin.
- Don't let your hair touch your face to prevent the pores from getting clogged with oil or dirt.
