If you want to have a healthy face, you must learn to take care of your skin. Clean the pores of the skin every day with a face wash, but avoid harsh products that can absorb nutrients from your skin. Exfoliate and moisturize the skin twice a day, and be careful when caring for it. Identify habits that can damage the skin and try to form new habits that support facial health. Read on to learn the specific steps you can take.
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Method 1 of 4: Caring for Skin According to Type
Step 1. Determine your skin type
For healthy facial skin, you must first understand what makes it unhealthy. Human skin is divided into four types: normal, oily, dry, and combination. Your face will fall into one of these categories, although some areas may be drier, healthier, or oily than other areas. Reflect and review the characteristics of each skin type below:
- Normal skin is neither oily nor dry. This skin like this should be supple and smooth. Normal skin still has some flaws, is less sensitive, pores are not clearly visible, and radiates a healthy glow. Skin like this does not need care as intensive as other skin, although you are still advised to keep it healthy.
- Oily skin has large pores and a slick or shiny appearance. People with this skin are more likely to have acne, blackheads, or other blemishes. Oily skin problems can arise due to stress, excessive exposure to heat/humidity, or hormonal imbalances (eg during puberty).
- Dry skin may feel tight or display dead cells. Dry skin may have barely visible pores and a low level of elasticity. You may notice red spots, cracked skin lines, as well as a dull appearance and rough texture. Dry skin is caused by several reasons: genetic factors, hormones, exposure to various elements, excessive heat, or side effects of certain medications.
- Combination skin is the most common type. Sometimes, this kind of skin will be oily, dry, and other times completely healthy-looking – situations can occur one at a time. Usually, combination skin is oily in the T area (a straight line on the forehead that goes down through the nose and reaches the chin) and dry/oily on the rest of the face.
Step 2. Clean and make sure the oily skin pores are not clogged
Oily skin has large pores and is very slippery, so make sure you always clean the substances and bacteria so as not to block the pores. Use the tips below to treat oily skin:
- Wash your face no more than twice a day and after you sweat a lot.
- Use a gentle facial cleanser, not a scrub.
- Do not pluck, pop, or press the pimple. These methods slow down the skin's recovery time.
- Use products labeled "noncomedogenic". Products like this will not clog pores.
Step 3. Moisturize dry skin
If your face gets dry easily, treat it very carefully so you don't get irritated. Moisturize regularly to combat dryness, and follow the steps below to keep your facial skin healthy:
- Don't use a scrub while you shower or dry your face – using it on a dry face can cause a red rash or kill the cells. Use a mild soap or facial cleanser. Avoid deodorant soaps.
- Use a nutrient-rich moisturizer after bathing. Ointments and creams may be more effective than lotions for dry skin, although they are usually more complicated to use. Consider carrying lotion in a small bag or purse so you can moisturize your skin as needed during your activity. If you go outside, use a sunscreen cream with a high SPF to moisturize and protect your skin from UV rays.
- Take shorter showers – and no more than once a day. Use a humidifier and keep the temperature in the room not too hot. Excessive exposure to hot temperatures can dry out the skin.
- Wear gloves when you use cleaning agents, liquids, or detergents. Some strong chemicals can irritate the skin if they remain on your hands when you touch your face.
Step 4. Combine several treatments for combination skin types
When your skin is oily, try reducing the oil and applying an anti-acne cream. When your skin is dry, moisturize it carefully. When your skin is healthy, clean it regularly to keep it balanced.
Method 2 of 4: Facial Cleansing
Step 1. Clean facial skin with a gentle face wash
Use soap according to your skin type (oily, combination, dry). Avoid harsh facial cleansers, which can strip your skin of its natural oils. Substances such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can cause irritation and upset the skin's hydration balance. Try using more natural antibacterial agents, such as honey or oats. Washing your face with the wrong products can make it look dull, ugly, and wrinkled.
- Facial cleansers that have been adapted for specific skin types usually have clear labels. As a general rule, foam/gel facial cleansers are usually suitable for oily skin; moisturizing cream for dry skin; and cleansers containing salicylic acid/benzoyl peroxide can help clear up acne-prone skin.
- Consider making your own facial cleanser. You can use various combinations of natural ingredients - which you can probably find at home - these ingredients can clean, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin.
Step 2. Avoid washing your face with regular soap
The strong chemicals contained in many soaps are useful in cleaning the skin, but not to protect it. Although soap can be used to wash other parts of the body, the skin on the face is much more sensitive and prone to damage. Instead of using regular soap, consider buying a high-quality face wash.
- Your skin is acidic, while soap is alkaline (alkaline). Your skin's natural barrier is made up of a layer of acid. When the pH level reaches 7, it means your skin is neutral. If it's below 7, your skin is acidic, while if it's above 7, your skin is alkaline. The balance of our skin is usually between 4 and 6, 5, even when the skin is very oily.
- On the other hand, soap is very alkaline and extreme on the opposite side. So, if you use soap, its alkaline nature will mess with the pH balance and acid layer on the skin, making your condition worse.
Step 3. Clean your face every morning and night
Rinse with warm water and a gentle facial cleanser in the sink or while you shower in the shower. Use your hands and a clean towel to gently wipe your face. Follow the steps below:
- Rinse the skin with warm water so that the pores are open and the skin is moisturised.
- Make a lather on your hands with soap. Clean your face using your fingertips in small circular motions. Press lightly on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.
- Repeat the circular pattern with a clean, warm towel. Make sure you press firmly enough to remove dirt and dead skin cells. Rinse the towel and repeat the whole process, this time using water (without soap).
- Splash cooler water while rinsing closed pores one last time. You'll get a clean, glowing skin that looks a little pink as a result. Use a moisturizer as a finishing touch.
Step 4. Clean your face with an anti-acne cream
This combination of face wash and cream can help keep your pores dry, but you'll need to treat them every day and this process will take time. Once you know your skin, develop a treatment routine that includes: a simple face wash for sensitive skin, a toner, an acne medication (if you have acne-prone skin), and a simple moisturizer for sensitive skin.
Consider using an anti-acne cream that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These products are very effective at clearing acne-causing bacteria from the pores, but they can also dry out and absorb nutrients from the skin. Be aware of the risks too
Step 5. Don't let sweat dry on your face
After you exercise or when you're tired/out of time in a hot environment, use water or a wet towel to wipe the sweat off your face. When sweat dries, the skin will absorb the bacteria in it.
Method 3 of 4: Skin Care
Step 1. Don't touch your face, especially when it's oily
Your fingers have oil in them, so when you touch them to your face, the oil will transfer. This action can cause acne breakouts. Also, your face can lose its elasticity if you pinch, pull, or touch the skin. The muscles in the skin may become limp and loose; this can cause wrinkles and make your face look less healthy. As a general rule, always keep your hands away from your face.
Step 2. Treat the skin with care
Washing your face and shaving your hair can damage your skin. Here are some recommended treatments:
- Limit bath time. Bathing in the shower/bathing too long can strip the skin from the face. Limit your shower time and use warm-not hot water. Water that is too hot can dry out the skin.
- Avoid soaps that are too harsh. Soaps and harsh detergents can absorb oil from the skin, making it dry and cracked. Choose a gentle facial cleanser.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply a shaving cream, lotion, or gel before you trim your facial hair. Also use a clean and sharp razor for maximum results. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it.
- Pat the skin dry. After bathing or washing your face, pat the skin or wipe it carefully with a towel. This is important so that the skin retains some of its moisture. Try to dry your skin naturally (by letting it blow air) before you apply the toner.
Step 3. Exfoliate once or twice a week, but not more often
Exfoliating is a great way to help shed dead skin cells, which usually collect in pores and turn into blemishes. Press as lightly as possible - you should only peel off the first few layers of the skin. It's better to peel for a longer period of time with less pressure, than to peel for a longer period of time with hard pressure. Don't forget to re-moisturize your skin after you peel it off.
Mix water and baking soda to make a homemade exfoliating scrub. Mix these two ingredients evenly, then adjust the proportions until you get a thick mixed paste. Use once every 2-3 days for a gentle exfoliation
Step 4. Moisturize dry skin
If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Use a moisturizer to restore skin after peeling or after using a harsh facial cleanser. You can use natural oils - for example coconut oil, avocado, eucalyptus, etc. - to moisturize the skin.
- For example, if you use a harsh cleanser but don't moisturize your skin afterwards, it will become very dry. This will cause him to produce excess oil so he can return to his natural state.
- Make sure the moisturizer you use can protect your skin from the sun. Sunlight is not the cause of skin problems instantly, but by using a moisturizer that has at least SPF 15, you can avoid wrinkles later on. It also helps slow down skin aging.
Step 5. Don't pluck pimples and blemishes
The pimple you're popping/pulling may seem to draw out all the dirt and can help clear the pores; however, this actually causes the bacteria in the pores to go deeper into the layers of the skin. When this happens, a domino reaction occurs: pimples will spread on your face.
- If a pimple appears, don't pop it; stretch so that the blood vessels do not open and join the pus in the pimple. If the blood is mixed with pus, it will be more difficult for you to clean the pores.
- Always use rubbing alcohol after an open pimple. The rubbing alcohol will not only restore the moisture your skin needs to stay fresh, but it will also clean the pus from deep inside the pores. Thus, acne will be more difficult to return.
Step 6. Remove makeup
If you apply makeup, wash it off with warm soapy water every day. Bacteria can grow on the remnants of facial makeup - this happens because dust and facial oils mix. When these bacteria spread on your face, you can experience blemishes and acne problems. Acne can be a serious problem and leave bad scars.
When applying makeup, avoid cheap products and always use a primer. Never forget to remove your makeup before you go to bed
Step 7. Refresh your skin by using a mask every 1-2 weeks
Masks can restore and preserve skin in a variety of ways – delaying aging, preventing blemishes, wrinkles, maintaining skin tone and radiance, or even brightening it – depending on the ingredients. You can buy ingredients for masks at drug and beauty stores, or make your own from items in your home. These ingredients include honey, lemon, milk, avocado, yogurt, oats, banana, and cucumber.
Method 4 of 4: Adopting Healthy Living Habits
Step 1. Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways you should take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Overexposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other problems - in addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer. To maximize this skin protection, you should:
- Use sunscreen cream. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen cream with an SPF of at least 15. Apply generously and use every two hours-or more often when you're swimming/sweating.
- Take refuge in places with shadows. Avoid the sun between 10 and 14 o'clock. At this time, the sun's strength is at its peak.
- Wear protective clothing. Cover the skin with a long-sleeved t-shirt, trousers, and a wide-brimmed hat. Also consider upholstery when washing clothes. This substance can add an extra layer of protection against ultraviolet rays and will last for a while. You can also wear special clothing to prevent ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Step 2. Change pillowcases frequently
Hair oil, face, saliva, dandruff, dirt, and bacteria are usually lodged in the pillowcase, especially if you use the pillow often. All of these contaminating substances can be transferred to your face at night, and the bacteria can cause facial damage. You should change your pillowcase every 3-4 nights, although some people suggest changing it every other day, or even every other day.
- Always have some extra pillowcases handy so you don't have to wash them every time you change pillowcases.
- If you don't want to change your pillowcase often, try covering your pillow with a clean towel while you sleep. This way, you can still protect your face while keeping your pillowcase clean.
Step 3. Sleep on your back
If you sleep on your back, your face is less likely to touch the pillow. This method can also help prevent eye circles and keep the face from absorbing bacteria that collects on the pillow.
Step 4. Don't smoke
Smoking makes the skin look older and can wrinkle. Smoking can narrow the tiny blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin, resulting in reduced blood flow. This will then reduce the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, resulting in decreased health.
Step 5. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help you look and feel fit. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources. The relationship between diet and acne isn't clear, however, some research suggests that you should eat foods rich in vitamin C - which are also low in unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates - to create a more youthful appearance.
Avoid oily or fried foods. Consumption of excess salt and fat can cause fat deposits on the face. These deposits can cause blemishes and acne. To have a healthy face, you need a healthy system, and oily/fried foods can be very detrimental to your health
Step 6. Drink plenty of water
Drink two liters of water a day or as much as possible. Water will help relieve pressure on the liver, which is directly related to the way the skin regulates itself. Water will also keep your body hydrated, making it harder for your skin to dry out.
Step 7. Manage your stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and breakouts / other skin problems. To keep your skin healthy-and your mind healthy too-take the right steps to manage stress. Set reasonable boundaries, realign your priorities, and make time to do things that make you happy. The results may be better than you can imagine.
