Say HI to Hydration!

Do you find yourself staring at the shelves of moisturiser trying to figure out which one is right for you?Well,read on to find out what you should be doing and buying! Why MOISTURISE? Moisturisers work as a protective seal against harsh elements in the environment such as the sun and wind.Skin creams are the staple of skincare products and using one will help to keep your skin hydrated,soft and looking good. The science bit Lack of water in and around skin cells disrupts the skin's ability to heal itself,meaning dehydrated skin will struggle to repair itself and regenerate.Dry skin is more prone to infections and irritants because it has tiny cracks allowing bacteria to sneak in which=spots :S Who needs it? It's particularly important to moisturise when humidity is low (e.g.in winter)as dry weather causes faster evaporation of moisture from the skin.Drier weather,air conditioning and central heating call for extra attention to moisturising- probably why you find winter so tough on your skin. How to moisturise? Step 1-Wash your face face with a cleansing scrub or gel then pat dry with a smooth towel. Step 2-Apply 4 small dots of moisturiser to your face-one on your forehead,one on your chin and one on each cheek.Gently massage into skin with fingertips using an upward,clockwise motion. (Most dermatologists and health experts recommend moisturising twice a day-once in the morning and once at night.) (Over moisturising can adversely affect your skin's ability to produce its own moisture which will actually make it drier.) ACNE-PRONE SKIN -Red,inflamed skin -Often has blackheads,whiteheads and spots that are hard to get to rid of. -Spots may cause scarring As much as you probably don't want to go anywhere near your skin,cleansing and moisturising are extremely important.Without proper moisturising,dead and dried skin will clog your pores and acne won't get better.After gently cleansing,apply moisturiser to help skin stay clear and infection free. (Avoid fragranced moisturiser as it may irritate your skin-Try a basic oil-free moisturiser) Sensitive skin -Skin is irratated by perfume,sun and extreme weather -Skin changes day-to-day -May have red patches or rashes The condition of your skin changes day-to-day-one minute it can be dry and delicate,the next it can be red and sore.That's why it's important to get the right moisturiser! Your skin is easily irritated by perfume(which you should avoid if possible),sun and extreme weather,so pick a moisturiser that contains a minimum of SPF15.(Go for a light water-based moisturiser that won't clog pores) DRY SKIN -Can look dull or flaky -Feels rough and itchy -Skin's made worse by the weather,especially wind and dry air -Skin feels tight after cleansing The sebaceous gland under your skin slows down the production of oil,making it dry.It can feel rough and itchy due to the top layers of skin losing water and natural oils.Therefore,you need plenty of skin-quenching! Use a rich,non-greasy moisturiser after cleansing in the morning and at night and if,you're not wearing any make-up,you may wish to apply during the day.(Spending too long in the bath can strip your skin of natural oils,so SHOWER INSTEAD and its very economic!! :P OILY/COMBINATION SKIN -Shiny,thick and dull-coloured -Very oily but may be dry in some areas -Prone to spots and blackheads Oil skin is caused by the sebaceous glands producing more oil than is needed-the opposite of dry skin.But even if you have oily skin,it still needs moisturising.In fact,moisturiser will eliminate shine(honest!) and maintain moisture,keeping skin looking fresh and healthy. After you've cleansed,skin may feel tight as the inner layer is oily and the surface is dry.You can sort it out with a light,oil-free moisturiser,thought!!! (Oily skin is most common in teenagers and young adults(Like me)Skin that is oily in one area and dry is another is called COMBINATION SKIN)