May 11, 2009
Skin Care IV
This is my Fourth Installment on skin care. The other three can be accessed by clicking on “beauty” under the category sidebar to your right. Then you just click on the title of the post that you want to read. Or you may type “skin care” into the search box on your right.
There are three phases of skin care:
1. Cleansing
2. Exfoliation
3. Moisturizing
1. You have the cleansing.
2. Exfoliation : This is the one to work on now.
Exfoliation: Removing dead skin cells that are on the top surface of your skin.
The live skin cells are underneath ( right on top of the fat layer).
As your skin grows, it moves outward, so what we see is actually the dead seventh layer of skin. ICK! Let’s get rid of it and get down to the pretty new, clear, healthy layer of skin.
There are lots of exfoliants. This is where you hear about buff puffs, masks, and things like chemical peels, and microdermabraision, laser resurfacing etc.
When the top dead layer is removed, it stimulates new growth, as well as collagen production (responsible for youthful -looking skin).
There are a many different products that can help you achieve this result.
There are many different types of masks. They are designed to remove the dirt and grime that has found it way into your pores. Some of them also “tighten & firm” and make other claims. some are clay masks, some are gel like, others are like a clear liquid that is designed to dry on your face and then be rinsed off. Be sure to read labels carefully and follow the directions. .
One that I particularly like is Avon Clearskin Cleansing Scrub Exfoliant. It is easy to obtain, reasonable and works great. Please note that I am not associated with Avon in any way, and I am not receiving any consideration for mentioning this product. I discovered this product when my children had “teen-age skin” problems. I started using it then and still do. It is a mild, blue grainy cleanser. You will notice immediate result. And teen-agers usually like using it because it shows immediate results.
One soap that I used at one time is called Basis — it is a very mild soap and I actually used with something called a “buff puff” that is like a scratchy pad. I would put a little basis soap and water on my face and then use the buff puff in a circular motion on my skin. This is another method to exfoliate, but you must be careful to not get too vigorous with the buff puff, or you will have red splotchy skin, instead of nice fresh looking skin. I almost scrubbed my face off the first time I used it and it took me a day or so to recover, but all the dead skin cells were gone!
My Daughter started a series of Microdermabraisions and it did wonders for her skin that had been damaged by the stress she was under and the pollution that she couldn’t avoid in the city she was living in at the time.
There are now several “appliances” that can be purchased at your local drug store or on TV (I’m sure you have seen them advertised). these work in the same manner, circular motion, removing that top dead layer of skin, which gives you a fabulous glow because you are seeing the new skin cells instead of the old dead ones.
Then there are several cosmetic companies which sell “exfoliating” products, usually in a kit of some sort because they want you to use their moisturizer afterward. Be sure that you seek out the product that suits you.
Caprice Post said,
June 17, 2009 at 9:01 am
sadly, Avon is no longer selling the Avon Clearskin Cleansing Scrub Exfoliant (aka Avon Clearskin Invigorating Cleansing Scrub) They have a new scrub but it NOT the same.