Strategies for skin care

Your skin type is determined by heredity, ethnic group, your hormone levels and your lifestyle, and will modify due to different changes in habits and age. The key to protect and to keep the skin supple is establishing a regular skin care routine depending on your skin type. We've put together specific recommendations; treatments and natural remedies based on the type of skin you have.

NORMAL SKIN

1. • Clean the skin twice a day using a mild soap and water or appropriate skin product.
2. • You can use a mild alcohol-free toner.
3. • Use a light moisturizer in the morning and at night. Use a special eye cream or gel for the eyes.
4. • Use sunblock when you go outside.
5. • Special treatment. You can use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week.

OILY SKIN

1. • Clean the face twice a day with a special cleansing product. Limit washing your face to two or three times a day (too much washing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil).
2. • Use a light toner after cleansing.
3. • After using a toner, apply an oil-free lotion. Use special gel or cream for the eyes.
4. • If you have specific problems (like spots for example) start a special treatment with your dermatologist before the problem gets worse.
5. • Use a non-greasy sun block.
6. • Special treatments You can use an exfoliant cleanser once a week (only if you don't have acne), clay masks for oily skin and a facial steam once or twice a week.

DRY SKIN

1. • Use nondetergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin once or twice daily. Avoid using any commercial soap.
2. • Massage your face with a lotion or cream in the morning and at night, especially in the dry areas (try a dense nourishing cream at night).
3. • When outside, use a high-grade sunblock.
4. • Special treatment. You can use exfoliant products for dry skin (masks or facial steams) and moisturizing masks, once a week.

COMBINATION SKIN

1. • Cleanse the skin with a non-soap cleanser to prevent the dry areas from drying out and to stop over production of sebum.
2. • Apply toner or a gentle astringent to the oily areas to improve the skin's texture.
3. • Moisturize the entire face. If necessary use a lighter cream on oily areas.
4. • Use a cream or gel for the eyes.
5. • Use sunblock every time you're outdoors.
6. • Special treatments. Use exfoliating products once or twice a week and a facial mask once a week.

SENSITIVE SKIN

1. • Only use hypoallergenic products, to prevent allergic reactions or irritations.
2. • Use a gentle moisturizing cream on the cheeks to prevent broken blood capillaries.
3. • Use a daily hypoallergenic high-level sunscreen when outdoors.

HOW TO APPLY MASKS AND CREAMS

1. Begin by applying cream to the neck, and continue spreading the cream using gentle massaging motion with your fingertips up to your chin.

2. Apply a little bit of cream on each cheek and spread the cream using your fingertips, moving from the high cheekbones to the eyes. Below your eyes, spread the cream using gentle pressure.

3. With your index and middle finger, spread the cream using a circular motion close to the temples.

4. Place a little bit of cream on the forehead above the eyebrows using your middle and index fingers, spreading it over the forehead to the temples.

5. Lastly, apply the cream using gentle pressure over your entire face with the fingertips of your index and middle fingers so that the cream completely penetrates the skin.