This entry is only for those who have relatively normal skin: dry, oily, combo or normal. Not for those who have problems that need to be treated by doctors.
It never ceases to amaze me how many products are available for skin care, and how there are cleaning procedures for women only, and those that are for men only. It's time for me to undo the myths that we have all been fed via commercials.
The skin care procedure for men and women are not so different. Neither are the products. Surprise, surprise!
So, here's a simple procedure for everyone:
1. splash the face with warm water
2. if necessary, rub a little soap on your face. Yes, soap - soap is not bad for your face, like those commercials say. If you use a cleanser, that's bad, because it's not real soap. Soap is made of fat (vegetable or animal) and a base of lye or sodium solution. It's gentle. On the other hand, cleansers are usually made of ingredients such as sodium laurel (or laureth) sulphate - they are nasty on the skin. Would you want to use something that is strong enough to degrease a kitchen floor? If not, stick to soap. Remember, all that we put on our face, our pores let some into our internal organs. If it's not good enough for you to eat, it's not good enough for you to put on the skin. Recommended products: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, face cleansers (actually soap) from The Organic Make Up Company. Men, you may use these soaps for shaving - there is enough lather from these natural soaps. For people who have very dry skin, skip the soap and just wipe down the face using a cotton ball dipped in extra virgin olive oil. This is how ancient Romans clean their skin. Oil does clean out dirt. Women, you may take off your make up using the vegetable oils or soaps.
3. tone. Toning does balance the PH level on the skin. If you find that your skin is a little tight from the soap, the toner will help soften the skin. It also rids whatever soaps you have left on the skin that you haven't been able to wash off. Chronic imbalance of skin PH may in long term harm the skin, making it more fragile. A good toner? I personally use one part apple cider vinegar and nine parts water, mixed in a bottle. It's the best toner I can find in the market.
4. moisturize: very important, as a moisturizer protects the skin. Recommended products: Starflower's creams and moisturizers, The Organic Make Up Company's creams, oils and moisturizers, and last but not least, plain extra virgin olive oil rubbed right into the skin. May also use jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, whichever you prefer. Even people with oily skin may use the vegetable oil options.
Life is already complicated; no one needs to complicate their skin care routine!
