Beauty Daily

Skincare Daily > Beauty > Beauty : Tips For Applying Skin Care Products

Tips For Applying Skin Care Products

By: Samantha Chavez

This article was authored by a non-health professional.

Posted Monday, December 19, 2005

Share on Facebook

Did you know? Different people get different results with the same skin care product. It can be caused by variations in body chemistry but more often it's because everyone applies skin care products differently. If a particular product doesn't give you the results you expect, it doesn't always mean you are applying the product incorrectly. Unfortunately, many products just don't work as advertised, no matter what you do! To top it off, some products may work for some people and not for others even when used properly. Nevertheless, when a product doesn't work, it may often be due to incorrect application.

Products like skin creams, gels. or lotions are a mixture of chemicals that have a biological action, applied topically to the skin. So the effectiveness depends on whether the active ingredients work, and whether they are absorbed properly into your skin. Your skin's temperature, hydration, environment and other factors will influence your skin's ability to absorb the active ingredients in a product. To be sure that you get optimal effectiveness of you skin care products:

Cleanse your skin before applying any products. The best time to apply is right after you come out of that warm shower or bath because not only is your skin clean, but it is also moist and warm, so it will absorb whatever you apply much better. Do not wash with hot water because excessive heat accelerates aging. Water should be comfortably warm but not to hot. However, if you plan on applying anything oily that blocks the pores, splash cool water on yourself to close pores. Just pat dry with a towel. Also, use a charcoal shower filter to prevent exposure to the chlorine in the water. You probably drink bottled or filtered water - but you can absorb more chlorine through your skin during a shower than you would get drinking a full glass of water!

When cleansing your skin please don't use regular soap, they're way too drying. So instead use a skin cleanser, a good moisturizing soap, or plain warm (not hot) water.

The top layer of skin is mostly made from dry, dead cells. When this layer becomes too thick, either from aging or poor skin care, the active ingredients of a skin care product have trouble penetrating. Professional microdermabrasion safely removes that top layer of skin, revealing the healthier, younger-looking skin underneath and allowing skin care products to be better absorbed for greater effectiveness. In addition, microdermabrasion done regularly strengthens the skin by stimulating elastin and collagen production, which helps diminish wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars and many other blemishes.

Use short, firm strokes to apply your skin care products. DO NOT stretch the skin. Do not rub. After applying your product, gently massage the product into your skin by patting the area with your fingertips for 20 seconds.

When using a professional microdermabrasion product at home, it is important to read the directions and follow them very carefully. Remember, professional microdermabrasion is usually applied with expensive machines and medically-trained professionals but you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, always test the products you want to use first on a small patch of skin on your underarm (the soft skin on the bottom of your forearm).

DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN? Did you know sensitive skin is very common? More than 40% of people have sensitive skin. It's causes include age, heredity, racial differences and gender. These questions below can help you find out if your skin may be sensitive. Of course, a trip to your dermatologist is the best way to know for sure! Does your skin get extra dry after you wash it with soap? Does your skin get extra oily and break out after you use particular types of moisturizers?

If you answered Yes to one or both of these questions, you may have sensitive skin.

Does your skin get red, itchy, burn or feel "tight" after coming into direct or indirect contact with perfumes and or particular shampoos, shaving creams, detergents, dish soaps, hair sprays, cleaning products, or deodorants?

Irritants to sensitive skin include many household and personal products. The fragrances and dyes in just about every household product and many personal care products, can cause irritation either from direct contact or even from deposits left on your clothes, towels, or bedding. If you have any of the classic signs and symptoms of sensitive skin, try to use hypoallergenic products without ingredients known to cause skin irritations.

Do you have acne or psoriasis?

People with acne, psoriasis, or skin conditions like eczema often have sensitive skin. These conditions impair immune system functioning and/or destroy the skin's protective barrier. If you have any of these conditions, you may have sensitive skin.

Does your skin get red, itchy, burn or feel "tight" after extended exposure to sun, wind, heat, or cold?

Sensitive skin often reacts to extreme weather conditions. In fact, anything in the environment that damages your skin's natural protective barrier against water evaporation -- called sebum -- can irritate your sensitive skin.

People who read this article also read:

Copy Link

Please click anywhere inside the below box to select code and paste this code into any blog or website.

Subscribe eNewsletter
Email this article