While it may seem like some people are simply blessed with flawless skin, the truth is that perfect skin takes a lot of work both at home each day and from regular professional treatments. Although some skin types are harder to maintain than others, you too can have flawless skin by practicing some regular skin care habits.

Skin Care Basics

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to skin health. You need to keep your skin clean and free from excess oil. Dead skin cells mixed with oil are the primary cause of blemishes and acne, so exfoliation should also be part of your regular skin care routine. Healthy skin requires moisture to maintain fullness and elasticity. Finally, sunscreen is necessary in this day and age as a barrier between the sun’s harmful UV rays and the skin.

Daily Skin Care at Home

Skin care begins at home and is the most important thing you can practice to maintain healthy skin. Following a complete daily skin care regime means healthier skin and a more youthful appearance.

Cleansing: Avoid bars of soap and choose a facial cleanser that’s formulated for your skin type (dry, oily, or combination). People with oily or combination skin should make it a rule to avoid skin care products that contain oils of any kind. People with dry skin may consider using a cold cream to remove makeup and help add moisture to the skin.

Cleanse your skin at night and in the morning, but no more than that, as cleansing can rob the skin of necessary oils and dry it out, even when cleansing oily skin. Always wash with warm water instead of hot or cold, as both can damage skin and cause broken capillaries.

Exfoliation: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and maintains a youthful glow. You should exfoliate your skin regularly, but not too often. Most people should exfoliate one to two times a week to keep skin glowing and healthy. Exfoliating more often can damage skin and cause dry skin that leads to excess oil production by robbing the skin of necessary oils.

You can find a variety of exfoliating facial scrubs on the market. Find one that works best for your skin type. When exfoliating, move your fingers in smooth circular motions across your face and neck, but don’t add any more pressure. Be gentle and avoid the delicate eye area.

Moisturizing: Moisturizing can be broken down into two separate parts: daytime moisturizing with sunscreen and nighttime moisturizing with nourishing, repairing ingredients. Even if your makeup contains sunscreen, be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen under your makeup. You can choose a moisturizer that contains sunscreen for an easy solution, or you can choose to apply sunscreen after your daily moisturizer.

Cleanse your face at night to remove the day’s products and pollutants. You can choose to use a refreshing toner or not. Lastly, apply a nutrient-rich moisturizer. Gently pat eye cream around your eyes, and apply night cream to your neck as well.

Regular Skin Care Treatments for Skin Health Maintenance

Some regular professional pampering will keep your skin looking healthy and youthful for years. You can prolong permanent skin treatments and surgeries by practicing professional maintenance starting at a young age.

Facials: Facials help open up and cleanse pores before tightening the skin to create a smooth appearance that reduces wrinkles. A facial also helps remove dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells at a deeper level than can be achieved through daily skin care at home.

Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a process by which tiny mineral crystals are vacuumed against the skin to remove dead skin cells and minor wrinkles, scars, and blemishes. The result is an instant face lift that has immediately noticeable results. Skin conditions that microdermabrasion is used to correct include:

• Acne and mild to moderate acne scarring
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Clogged or enlarged pores
• Hyperpigmentation and irregular skin tone
• Sun damage

Botox: Botox is an injectable that restores lost moisture and collagen to the skin. Botox and other injectables are meant to reduce the natural effects of aging by filling in lines, wrinkles, and facial furrows. Botox treatments should be applied every three to six months for optimum effects and maintenance.

Laser wrinkle removal: As a less invasive alternative to a surgical face lift, laser wrinkle treatment stimulates the growth of collagen at deep dermal levels. Laser light and RF currents create a focused energy targeted at the deep dermis to stimulate collagen growth where it’s needed most. The extra collagen creates a youthful appearance by plumping up skin and reducing lines, wrinkles, and furrows.

With some at-home skin maintenance and professional treatments, beautiful skin can be yours. It’s a great idea to talk to your doctor about your unique skin type to come up with a personalized skin care routine for you.