Tips For Clear Skin

Hey Everyone!

I thought I would give my advice and tips on skincare, as well as tips from Teen People Celebrity Beauty Guide, for my first entry. I'm sure you all have gone through stress, trying to find the right cleanser, or the right moisurizer, etc., trust me, I've been there! First, I shall give general information on skin do's and skin don'ts:

- DO NOT pick or try to pop those big painful pimples (or any zit in general) The bacteria can spread and cause more! (WARNING: Popping zits can lead to enlarged pores, red marks that take forever to heal, and even scars.)

- DO NOT wash your face more than twice a day. Washing your face alot throughout the day strips away the oil glands in your skin, which is very bad, since your skin needs some oil for it to be healthy. Your skin will get very irritated and dry, if you wash it all the time. Remember, having skin more on the oily side, is better than having completely dry skin.

-DO moisturize your skin after cleansing. (Note: Use an oil-free moisturizer to even out your skin better. And, for sensitive skin, use a moisturizer that is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.)

-DO pamper your skin once a week. I like to apply a facial mask once a week. It deep cleans down to the pores and does that extra pampering that your everyday cleanser doesn't do. (Tip: I reccommend St.Ives Mineral Clay Firming Mask for all skin types. It cleans deep while it firms and tightens skin. Result: Smooth, visibly healthy skin is revealed.)

Teen People Celebrity Beauty Guide's Skin Tips (Tips from Katie Rodan, MD, Dermatologist)

If You Have Combination Skin

Dilemma: Your T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin, is oily while the eye area, cheeks and neck are dry and possibly flaky

Game Plan: Morning- "Wash your face, focusing mainly on the T-zone, with a gel-based cleansing fluid or glycerin bar," recommends Rodan. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply an oil-absorbing lotion to your T-zone, then cover your entire face with an oil-free sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Stash blotting sheets in your bag, so you can blot away any greasies that pop up throughout the day.

Night- Wash with lukewarm water and a gel based cleanser that contains salicylic acid, again focusing on the mid-section of your face; "the salicylic acid will help unplug the pores on your T-zone," says Rodan. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and apply a lotion that contains salicylic acid to your T-zone and an oil-free moisture lotion to the rest of your face, primarily your cheeks.

Once A Week- To dry up the oil in your greasiest areas, treat just your T-zone to an oil-absorbing clay mask.

Makeup Tip- Stick to oil free concealers and liquid foundations, which won't clog pores.

If You Have Oily Skin

Dilemma: Your oil glands are in overdrive, so skin is shiny and pores are clogged, causing blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

Game Plan: Morning- Wash your skin with a gel-based cleanser that contains salicylic acid, to help strip away oil and unplug clogged pores. Use lukewarm water to wash and then gently pat your face dry with a towel. Follow up with a toner that also contains salicylic acid and top with an oil-absorbing lotion, applied all over your face. Finish with an oil free gel (no lotion) sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (gel-based sunscreens look clear, not white). "Gel-based sunscreens contain a bit of alcohol, which will help keep oil under control," explains Rodan. Tote around oil-blotting sheets, so you can wipe away oil during the day.

Night- At night, wash with the same cleanser and lukewarm water, pat dry with a towel, and follow up with the salicylic acid toner. Finish with a lotion that also contains salicylic acid.

Once A Week- Apply an oil-absorbing clay mask in a thin layer all over your face to dry up the grease and keep it under control.

Makeup Tip- Foundations and concealers that contain salicylic acid will help fend off greasy skin while covering imperfections.

If You Have Dry Skin

Dilemma: Your underproductive oil glands leave your skin tight and flaky and, in some cases, covered in tiny, hard bumps (usually found on cheeks).

Game Plan: Morning- Wash with a mild soap-free cleanser that contains no alcohol. Use lukewarm water to wash and then gently pat your face dry with a towel. Cover your face with an oil-free moisturizer that is for normal to dry skin. Finish with an oil-free SPF 15 or higher sunscreen.

Night- Wash your face with the same mild soap-free cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry with a towel. Exfoliate dry patches with a lotion that contains glycolic acid, applying it only to dry and flaky spots. Top it with an oil free moisturizer, applied over your entire face.

Once A Week- Moisturize your skin with a hydrating face mask to make it feel soft and less irritated.

Makeup Tip- Choose only creamy foundation formulations and moisturizing lipsticks.

These are great skin tips from Teen People, whether you have dry, combination, or oily skin, one of these plans should work for you.

For me, I have combination skin. Here are products I use that work for my skin type:

-Clean&Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleanser (I use it every morning; it really wakes me up!)

-Clean&Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub (I tend to alternate between the cleanser and the scrub. I use the scrub when I have flaky or dry spots on my face)

-Vichy Norma Derm Active Anti-Imperfection Concentrate (This cream works great on sudden breakouts and the odd pimple)

-La Roche Posay Rosaliac Skin Perfecting Anti-Redness Moisturizer (This cream helps get rid of red spots on my face, it works really well for me)

- Aveeno Active Naturals Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer (it has salicylic acid and total soy complex for clear, even looking skin. And, it's oil-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. I love it! I also have a second bottle that I use in the morning that has SPF 15.)