Skin! Don’t you just love it? I suppose we’ve got to really. Without it we’d end up as just a load of slop on the floor. It’s big, you know. In spite of what some guys will tell you, skin is the largest organ of the body, so it’s well worth looking after. It reflects our health and is very much how other people judge us, appearance wise at least.
1. Make sure you have a healthy diet, enriched with the vitamins and minerals your skin needs.
Vitamin B, C, E, A and K all help keep your skin fresh and glowing. Vitamin B forms the basis of skin, nails and hair. You can find this vitamin in foods like oatmeal, eggs, rice, bananas and even Vegemite. Vitamin C protects your skin from sun exposure, keeping you away from skin cancer. Vitamin C pops up in citrus foods such as bell peppers, cranberry/grape juice, cauliflower, and leafy greens. Vitamin E also helps protect your skin against sun exposure, and can be found in foods such as olives, spinach, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils. Vitamin A is essential for repair of the skin tissue-without it your skin will look dry and flaky. Vitamin A is found in fruits and veggies-so load up. Vitamin K helps reduce dark circles under eyes, as well as bruises. Vitamin K is hidden away in leafy green vegetables, dairy products, and meats such as pork and liver. So basically, loads of fruits and veggies, nuts, dairy products, rice and eggs will help your skin. Don’t forget to drink eight glasses of water a day-it’ll keep your skin looking fresh, glowing and plump.
2. Always wear sun screen, sunglasses and a hat when you go out in the sun.
Simply gobbling up lots of fruits and veggies with sun protecting vitamins won’t keep you safe. Even if you have darker colored skin, you need to wear sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that is 30 or 40 SPF and apply it evenly to your skin. Try to use a face friendly, water resistant sunscreen. Don’t apply a whole chunk of sunscreen or you’ll be shining all day. Apply just enough and follow the directions. Try to avoid the sun at harsher times, such as the afternoon-around 10AM to 2PM. When the sun is at its’ worst, it’s a real danger to your skin. It might be a good idea to wear lip balm with sunscreen in it as well. Choose a broad brimmed or bucket hat, and slide on a pair of sunglasses.
3. Find out what skin type you have-oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin.
If you are always getting rashes on your skin or neck when you use a new cream or wear a scarf, you probably have sensitive skin. If your’ skin has a greasy shine to it, looks thick and dull and comes out in big pimples, it’s most probably oily. If your skin suits the previous description on your nose, forehead and chin and is fine everywhere else, you probably have combination skin. And if you feel like you have to moisturize all the time and your skin feels a bit tight in winter, you may just have dry skin. Read up on your skin type on the internet, from a dermatologist or experienced book. Each skin type will require slightly different care, and you will want to avoid some chemicals. Make sure you are an expert on your skin type.
4. Buy an appropriate soap/cleanser and moisturizer for your skin.
It is not an essential to use a toner. Make sure you avoid harsh chemicals, and chemicals that aren’t good for your skin type. Wash your skin 2-3 times a day, with a dollop of cleanser/soap. Don’t slather on moisturizer or put on a tiny amount-use an amount which you feel moisturizes your skin without making it too oily. If you are under twelve, it may be a much better idea to skip the cleanser and soap and simply wash your face with water. It might seem ineffective, but water is a great cleanser, particularly for young and oily skin. Hot water is good for oily skin; warm and lukewarm are good for other skin types. Moisturize afterwards. Wash your face in the morning and night, and if you want to, in the afternoon or after school. Make sure you wash your hands before washing your face, or you’ll just spread bacteria and dirt. For acne, use pro-active, Clean & Clear, or Clearasil. These brands are trustworthy and have a variety of products such as pimple cream, toners, and cleansers. Choose carefully, and be aware of your skin type. Nivea is a trustworthy brand, used for years and isn’t harsh on your skin, it can also be used all over. Proactiv has been known to actually strip paint off of walls!
5. Treat your skin.
Once a week you can give your skin a treat, such as applying a face mask or steaming your skin. But make sure what you treat your skin with suits your skin type, or you might make things worse. Instead of harshly exfoliating for acne, try using tea tree oil-it really works. Dab a small amount of tea tree oil on the spot, or steam your face with it. For oily or sensitive skin, you might want to skip the fancy products and simply apply yogurt to your face. It also helps acne. Yogurt clears the skin and is gentle. This will work for dry skin too. Tougher treatments for the skin include retinol cream, which is a derivative of vitamin A, and glycolic peels. Be careful, though, because these products take a layer off of your skin and applying them too often can cause damage. Wash and moisturize after steaming, exfoliating or applying a face mask. Follow the directions.
Edited from ehow.com