As people in our twenties, it is important to take care of our
skin now because if we don't we will suffer the consequences
later on in life. Just look at any person with bad skin, chances
are they didn't take care of it when they were our age. But now
that you have me looking out for our best interest, you don't
have to worry about your skin looking like a block of Swiss
cheese when you get older.

"It is important to know your skin type and its condition. Skin
is treated according to oily, normal, dry, combination, acne and
aging/mature," says Cynthia Walker, NYS Licensed Esthetician. If
you don't know your skin type consult, with a dermatologist,
esthetician or skin care therapist. You don't want to use a
product for dry skin or your face when your skin type is oily.
It will just mess up your skin. And make sure the products you
are using are for use on your face and not your body. Even
though it is all skin, products made for your body usually have
ingredients that are too harsh for the face. Here is a concise
list of skin types and their causes. ·Dry skin is caused by
using harsh soaps, exposure to dry climates, not drinking enough
water;my dilemma;certain cosmetics, aging and
dieting. Dry skin is classified into two types: Oil dry skin
which occurs when the glands are not producing enough oil;
Moisture dry skin happens when your skin is dehydrated because
you are not drinking enough water. ·Oily skin;develops
when your body produces too much oil. "A few causes are
imbalance or changes in hormonal levels, and a diet rich in fats
and oils," says Walker. ·Combination skin has both dry and oily
areas on the face, which is caused by an imbalance in the
distribution in lipids.

Walker suggests that once you determine your skin type, buy a
product line that includes a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and
mask. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully — as
with any product ; and if you have any kind of irritation,
discontinue use immediately and consult a professional, not your
closest friend. Some of you out there are creating your own skin
care remedies, however, there are some products that are just
hazardous to your face such as bar soap. I know it's cheap,
readily available and you figure you can kill two birds with one
stone. Please stop! And for you essential oil users, I hope you
are not applying them directly to your face without diluting
them with a carrier oil. It will help to soothe and protect your
skin since essential oils are highly concentrated and absorb
directly into your skin.

But don't think that you can clean your face once a day and your
job is done. It is imperative for you to cleanse your skin in
the morning when you rise, and at night before you go to bed. In
the daytime your skin will be protected from harmful elements.
At night, moisturizing your skin will rejuvenate it. And for
those of you who love sun tanning, let me reiterate what I know
you have already heard; the sun is very harmful to your skin.
"Overexposure affects the living cells and creates structural
damage to the skin's elasticity and in some cases causes skin
cancer," says Walker. In the afternoon, the sun's rays are the
strongest, so if you must go out make sure you are always using
sunscreen products. Unfortunately, the first 18 years of life we
have already experienced the most damage, but it is not until we
reach between the ages of 38-46 that we will start to realize
it.

Skin care is not for women only! Men need to take care of their
skin as well because women want something soft to touch too.
According to Walker, men's skin tends to be oilier, and is
coarser and thicker than women's. Men who don't moisturize their
skin leave their pores open to the environmental pollutants and
dirt, yuck! "Shaving can irritate the skin and cause abrasions,
inflammations and ingrown hairs, and this condition can become
aggravated if not cared for properly."

Now, I don't know about you but I learned a great deal in
writing this article. From now on I am drinking water and
washing my face twice a day. You won't to see me years from now
and talk about how my skin looks bad. But I will be able to talk
about yours?