Skin Care Routine

Getting into the habit of a skin care routine is like anything else new a bit intimidating and sounding a lot more complicated than it is. It's kind of like going someplace new you don't know where to turn or what to do when. You have to try it out; it's a process of trial and error. But after a couple of days it will be easy. And after a week you'll be proud not only because it will have become a pleasant habit, but particularly because you will see the results of your efforts. And then you will realize that skipping a day or skimping on the routine is only cheating yourself.

And it's so easy! The hardest part is getting motivated to start taking care of your skin. Once you are, the rest is a cinch.

IN THE MORNING

1. When I wake up in the morning I do some stretch exercises in bed to loosen my muscles and to get my circulation going. Thus by the time I make it to my bathroom, my skin is already somewhat stimulated.

3. Next I use a special moisture cream for my neck (because the skin on the neck is a different texture from that on the face). But using your facial moisturizer on your neck is fine, too.

2. 1 then take a shower (or, on rare occasions, only wash my face with a warm, wet washcloth). In the shower, I wash with soap and warm water, using a loofah to take off whatever dead skin is on my body, being careful to be as gentle on my body skin as I am on my facial skin. When I get out, I put baby oil all over my body (except on my neck because it will get into my hair). Then I pat it down with a towel.

4. Now I apply moisturizer all over my face except for my forehead and nose, my two oily spots, which I spray with water. also use a very light moisturizer on my nose. If I have only one moisturizer, I use it on my face and use an astringent on my nose to dry out the oil.

5. Use an eye cream to moisturize the area around my eyes. If you are not used to using an eye cream, just remember it can't hurt; it can only help.

That's it. From shower to being ready for any makeup, the time passed is ten minutes.

AT NIGHT

1. Remove all my makeup with makeup remover, using a special one for the eyes, and put astringent on my face. Sometimes I do this at my sink, and at other times in the shower.

2. 1 put night cream all over my face, blotting it with a tissue so it won't be greasy.

3. 1 then put eye cream around my eyes, making sure not to pull or stretch the skin (I don't need any extra wrinkles!). Sometimes I put some on my lips because it is an emollient it is wonderful to soften lips.

That's it. This took me about three minutes. Next time you want to go to bed without this routine, think about the extra three minutes and the results they will give, and I'll bet you decide it's worth the small effort.