Daily Face Care

For many people, the face is a problematic area, and very sensitive. It isn't difficult, luckily, to care for your face in such a way that it will give you a minimum of trouble.

You should clean the face each night before bed. Be sure you remove all makeup. Never use a commercial cleansing bar on your face if at all possible. Most of them are too harsh and will make your skin produce more oil. Many also have additives in them which can block your pores or cause irritation. Natural soaps and cleansing gels are usually gentle enough for use on the face; and there are many gentle products with this specific use in mind. Some people may benefit from using a gentle exfoliant periodically, but be careful not to overdo it on the face, as that skin can become irritated easily. Also, never use hot water on the face, and never rub harshly when drying it.

Unless you have dry skin, an astringent toner is quite useful after washing the face. It helps to close the pores and decrease the amount of oil secreted. Many products are available for this as well; if your budget is extremely tight, a formula of 1 ounce witch hazel and 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar with 3-5 drops of essential oil appropriate for your skin type will work in a pinch. Some of the best to choose from are Geranium, Palma Rosa, Rose and Lavender for normal skin; Juniper, Geranium, Lemon, and Rosemary for oily skin; or Chamomile, Palma Rosa, Carrot and Rose for acne-prone skin. You only need to apply this toner to the problem or oily parts of the face, usually the nose area and chin, and sometimes the cheeks and forehead.

Every skin type can benefit from a moisturizer of one type or another. This may seem counter-productive; the important thing, though, is the type of moisturizer. Your skin produces both 'good' and 'bad' types of oil. The 'good' oils protect the skin from damage, while the 'bad' oils clog pores and cause problems. They key to a good moisturizer is finding one that will give your skin the level of protection it needs without increasing the problems it may have. This means a very light oil, like Hazelnut, Grapeseed, and Apricot Kernel, are good for oily skin; whereas thicker oils like Avocado, Olive and Wheatgerm are better for dry skin. Some oils, like Almond, Jojoba, and Evening Primrose, are close enough to your skin's 'good oils' that they are good for just about any skin type.

To make a lovely scented moisturizer, just add a few drops of essential oil of your choice (I have already discussed a few geared for the specific skin types) to one - or a blend - of the oils appropriate for your skin type. You don't need to use very much; just enough to make a protective barrier for your skin. Apply it and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then blot off any excess - although those with very dry skin may find there isn't any excess to remove!






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