Facial Skincare 101: Ultimate Care for Your Face

Today, the need to look good transcends genders. Both men and women of all ages desire to look good and presentable, and notably, the first thing people notice about your appearance is your face.

In that case, you want your face to be as beautiful and as radiant as the sun, spotless, evenly-toned, and supple. But maybe you often find pimples, acne, and eczema, among others, breaking your heart each time you look in the mirror. So how do you care for your facial skin to ensure you get that look worthy of a magazine cover?

It’s not so difficult, really. Below are simple, effective ways to care for your face and up your beauty game in no time.

 1. Wash your face every morning

The skin in your face is very delicate and doesn’t require hard scrubbing. However, washing your face gently with warm water and in circular motions is a great way to kick-start your day. Do so in the morning, even when you do not want to have your bath just yet.

But remember, avoid using overly hot water to wash your face as that will dry out your skin. You can also use gentle cleansers for a better wash. Use a hydrating cleanser if you have dry skin, a foaming cleanser for oily skin, and an acid-based one if you frequently have acne.

 2. Clean your face after makeup

Makeup leaves a lot of things on your face, including oils, dirt, and other impurities that may have clung to it. Washing with water alone may not do a thorough job, so it’s important to use a cleanser or an alcohol-free toner after you wash to get rid of all traces of dirt left on your face.

Pro tip: Toners can help balance the pH level of your skin and protect it from breakouts, but avoid alcohol toners as they dry out your skin. 

3. Apply moisturizer daily

After washing your face, apply a little amount of mineral-based moisturizer of at least SPF 30 over your face. Moisturizers hydrate your skin and also protect you against sunburns.

 4. Avoid comedogenic makeup

Although most makeup brands now offer non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic skincare products (those that won’t clog pores or cause acne), you can still unknowingly come across those bad for your face. Always go for makeup labeled as non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

Pro tip: Avoid sharing makeup with others as you risk transferring materials from their face to yours. Do not use expired makeup as well.

5. Apply benzoyl peroxide to acne spots

You may naturally have a clear face, or your facial skincare routine has been super effective. But don’t feel frustrated when you suddenly find a breakout. Whether it’s acne and pimples (these are obviously the most common), you can spot-treat them with any cream rich in benzoyl peroxide twice daily. You can get such creams at drug stores.

 6. Stay away from the sun

Although there would be no life without the sun, its rays are something to avoid whenever you can, especially around 10 am to 4 pm. During this time, Ultraviolet light from the sun is most intense, which can lead to premature aging, sun spots, and even skin cancer.

If you’d be outdoors a lot during the day, ensure you go with your sunscreen and reapply it at least every 2 hours to protect yourself.

7. Blot, don’t wipe or reapply makeup

You might notice your makeup wearing off as time goes on during the day. You could also notice your face getting oily, but avoid wiping your face to remove the oil. Use blotting paper to pat your face instead. This will prevent your makeup from getting ruined or over-drying your face.

Pro tip: this may come as a surprise to you, but those oils may result from dry skin. Your skin tries to produce more oils to balance up the dryness. This may be time to go for a good moisturizer.

 8. Use face mask

Inarguably one of the most effective skincare routines for the face is the occasional use of a face mask. Face masks typically target several skin concerns like acne, pimples, etc. You can apply natural face masks made of avocado butter or honey as these offer so many incredible benefits. You can use them for hair as well.

Whether you’re going for clay masks or sheets, ensure it’s for your skin type, and you can’t go wrong.

 9. Exfoliate

One vital way to care for your face is to exfoliate. Use a soft damp washcloth to rub your face in circular motions. Ensure you reach every spot and cell in your facial skin. For a better effect, use a facial scrub or add sugar to your cleanser.

Exfoliating is just as important for the face as it is with other parts of your body. Exfoliation will help remove dead cells that clog your pores, thus leaving your skin fresh and radiant.

Note, only exfoliate at most twice weekly. Once in a week is recommended. Exfoliating too frequently can do more harm than good as you risk damaging your skin.

 10. Moisturize your face before bed

Applying moisturizer on your face before bed will help your skin rehydrate and repair while you sleep. A thick night cream would do, or else, use your normal moisturizer. It’s also an excellent idea to look for one suited for your skin type with alpha hydroxy acid, which helps stimulate collagen production.

 11. Sleep on a clean pillowcase

If you are concerned about the health of your facial skin, then you always want to have your pillowcase fresh and clean. Dirt and oils from pillowcases — gotten from your skin — can hop back onto your face and put you at risk of acne.

If you can sleep on your back face up, this can also help you prevent creases on your face caused by the pillow. Else, use a satin pillowcase as they do not readily cause wrinkles.

 12. Don’t pop your pimples

You’ll be tempted to pop your pimples, but it’s just that — a temptation. Your pimples will dry up on their own. On the other hand, breaking them will worsen the infection.

 Bottom Line

To have a fine, glowing face that suits the cover of a magazine lies in your hands. You only have to be cautious about it, observing these dos and don’ts daily, and you’d be well on your way to having a spotless face that induces compliments