We all know that makeup is suppose to enhance your beauty. But the one thing that people seem to forget is that beauty starts within.  Ladies, it is very important that you have a basic skin care regimen. This is the only way your makeup will look amazing! It will not look its best on  bad skin.

Let’s get down to the basics:  Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skin care routine, you’ll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive, or sun- damaged.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen

Step 1: Cleansing

Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. 

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There’s no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin. Example: Dove skin care line is inexpensive and great for all skin types!

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do it. If you have dry skin, consider a cold cream like Pond’s, which is very popular among the French. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You’ll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it’s great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water; both can cause broken capillaries. Also be careful about over cleansing skin!

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skin care routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men’s skin often looks more youthful than women’s skin is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion.  Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. Be sure to exfoliate once a week!

Step 3: Moisturize

A basic law of beauty is that EVERYONE, no matter her skin type, should MOISTURIZE (even if your skin is oily).  The only exception is those with acne. Why moisturize? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin.  How much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it’s crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over moisturize as this can clog pores.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen – only if you are going to be in the sun often.

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen from your early years on, even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don’t use moisturizers with sunscreen at night; the ingredients are not meant to be used 24/7 and can aggravate skin.

Ladies healthy, beautiful skin is dependent upon:

• Good nutrition
• Adequate rest and relaxation
• Sufficient water intake
  
• Fresh air and sunshine