Skin Care Basics: Cleansing

Your skin covers you from head to toe, and it is your largest organ. It defends your body against germs and it is essential to your good health. It's important that you take care of your skin so that it can do what it's meant to do. By keeping your skin clean you can not only prevent infection, you can also ward off problems such as skin cancer and wrinkles. Good hygiene is more than just making sure you smell good; it's also about cleaning a part of your body that is mostly exposed to the elements. Here are some skin cleansing tips for you to follow.

  1. You don't have to buy expensive skin cleansers; in most cases, a soap or gentle cleanser from the drugstore or from an online store like FaceCreams.org is good enough for daily use.
  2. You are never too young to practice good skin hygiene. Start cleansing properly today, so your skin stays fresh and healthy in your old age.
  3. Steer clear of harsh cleansers which are full of chemicals. These dissolve your skin's natural oils and proteins, and hurt more than they help. Choose cleansers with a minimum of chemical additives, and do not use deodorant soaps on the skin of your face because they leave a filmy coating on your skin.
  4. Cleanse with lukewarm water. Water that is too hot will leave your skin dehydrated and prone to damage, and there is also the chance that you can burn yourself. If the water you wash your face with is too cold, your skin can also become dry.
  5. Be gentle when you cleanse. Some people think that "more is better" and that they should scrub their skin, but nothing is further from the truth. Exfoliation is ideal for the removal of dead skin cells, but it should be done in a gentle circular motion to avoid damaging the skin.
  6. Use a gentle toner to keep your skin clear and firm. The best toners contain glycolic and alpha hydroxy acids; don't use any with alcohol or that are marked as being for photosensitive skin.
  7. Don't forget to moisturize. They work by preventing your skin from losing water, either drawing it to the skin's outer layers or by applying a protective film. The best moisturizers are vitamin E or aloe vera oil and these are ideal for the sensitive skin under the eyes. This area of the skin is the first to show signs of aging because it does not secrete any skin-softening oils.