July 16, 2012 – When you think of quality skin care, you may think you have to spend a small fortune on high-end skin care products, visits to a spa for facials or expensive sessions with a dermatologist. But that isn’t true, and if you follow some tips from the American Academy of Dermatology, you can take great care of your skin without developing worry lines over the cost.
The first important suggestion from the AAD is to clean your face and skin every 12 hours and apply some sort of moisturizing product, which could be sunscreen. This advice will vary of course because you could workout, perspire or get dirty and need to cleanse before that 12 hour period is up. Also, you need to tailor your moisturizer to your specific skin type.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 (preferably 30) all year long.
In dry months like winter, apply your moisturizer right after you get out of the shower for the most benefit. That rule doesn’t apply to acne medicines or other skin medications though.
Try using plain old petroleum jelly instead of expensive moisturizers. You can apply it to your lips, small amounts to dry cheeks, feet, elbows, hands and even use it on a baby.
Be selective when buying skin care products. Name brands aren’t always best. Check the ingredients and avoid excessive scents that could trigger allergies. Multiple function skin care products may sound like you’re getting more for your money, but some ingredients can cancel out each other. Some moisturizers will limit the effectiveness of sunscreens.
So try to stick with skin care products that have anti-aging properties, antioxidants, retinol, vitamin A or alpha hydroxy acid. And always try to eat a healthy diet because your skin will reflect that.
Skin care doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can have a beautiful complexion that looks like a million bucks without actually paying that much.
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