These are the basics that you need to know about how to properly care for your skin. Follow these basic guidelines and you will find that your skin will be healthier and more radiant!

A Cleansing Ritual:
Having a daily cleansing ritual is a must for everyone. Not only do you need to cleanse away germs, but also a daily cleansing ritual can help to keep your skin healthy and vibrant looking and can also help to keep your spirits up! A rejuvenating shower in the morning can lift your spirits and help you to start your day off right, while a relaxing bath at night can help you to wind down and relax before bed (symbolically washing away stress and negative energy).

Wash Your Skin Twice a Day:
It is best to cleanse your skin, especially your face, twice a day. If you have dry skin you may want to wash your skin only once a day, unless you use some very good moisturizing skin cleansers (for face and body) and lotions.

When To Wash Your Skin:
The most important time of day to wash your skin is right before bed. Perspiration needs to be rinsed off, preferably with a loofah, to remove salt and dead skin buildup so that your skin can breathe as you sleep. It’s also very important to wash your face before bed so that you can wash off makeup and dirt. This will help to prevent breakouts. I can remember on many occasions when I chose not to wash my face before bed, only to wake up with pimples.

Exercise:
Exercise is also very good for your skin, especially if you workout outdoors amongst the fresh air. Walking, yoga, tai chi, Pilate’s, cardio workouts, gardening, strength training and cycling can help you to have a healthy rosy complexion. Fresh air and increased oxygen from exercise helps to remove waste from your skin. And don’t worry about sweating. Researchers have found that sweat contains urea and lactic acid, which are natural moisturizers. But it is recommended still that you wash away sweat before bed.

Water:
Water is absolutely essential for good skin care. Not only is it important to go on your skin, it’s just as important for you to drink water in order to have healthy skin. It keeps your skin hydrated, moisturized and helps to cleanse away toxins. Acne and other skin blemishes can develop if you do not get an adequate amount of water each day, which is around eight full glasses of water, because toxins will begin to build up in your body from dehydration and will result in having impurities exit through your skin.

Also when you are washing your face it is best to not use hot water. Hot water can dehydrate the skin. When I take a hot bath I make sure to rinse my body and face off with warm or cool water before I leave the bath. You can also try alternating hot and cool water when taking a shower.

Sunlight:
Sunshine is great for your skin, but only in safe amounts. Around ten to twenty minutes a day of pure sun exposure is great for your health and your skin. The sunshine can also help heal different skin ailments such as acne and eczema. If you will be in the sunshine longer than twenty minutes a day, it is best to wear a sunscreen with SPF. Too much sun exposure is very unhealthy for your skin and can lead to skin cancer and having a leathery look and feel.

Sleep:
People often joke and talk about getting their "beauty sleep", and indeed it’s true that getting plenty of sleep each night will result in a more beautiful complexion! If you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep each night, which is around seven to nine hours each night, your eyes will appear puffy and your appearance will appear dull, tired and saggy.

What To Have:
It’s important to have a cleanser, astringent, moisturizer, exfoliator and sunscreen for your facial skin care routine.

A cleanser washes away dirt, toxins, makeup and other pollutants. If you wear makeup it is best to wash your face twice with a cleanser to make sure that you remove all of the makeup and to deeply clean your pores.

An astringent removes excess oil from the skin and helps to refine the appearance of large pores. You can also use a toner in place of an astringent. One of my favorite astringents is witch hazel, which can be purchased in most drug stores.

A moisturizer helps to replenish the skin. This is especially a must for those who have dry skin. If you are prone to breakouts you may decide to skip on the moisturizer or find a moisturizer that won’t make you break out.

Exfoliators help to refresh and smooth your skin. I love to make my own facial scrubs at home and I use a facial scrub at least once a week. You can also use an antioxidant like topical vitamin C in place of an exfoliator.

Sunscreen is important especially if you get a lot of sun exposure each day. You won’t need to apply sunscreen before bed. Also, some liquid foundations come with SPF.