In my last article on skin care I mentioned that every Princess has different skin and that not all remedies and products work for everyone. To decide on a routine that works best for you, it can be helpful to find out which skin type you have. There are four main skin types, and a commonly listed fifth is ‘normal’ skin, which is well balanced skin with no particular problems. There might be a lucky few with this skin type, but most of us will find we lean towards one of these.

Oily Skin
If you wake up in the morning and your skin has an oily film over it (easily removed with a tissue) you are prone to acne or blemishes and find your face can look a bit shiny throughout the day you probably have oily skin. Its important to cleanse regularly and you might also need to exfoliate to keep your pores clean and prevent blackheads and blemishes. The benefit of oily skin is that it is less prone to wrinkles and will look younger for longer.

Dry Skin
The opposite to Oily skin, Dry skin can appear a little dull and is dry to the touch. It can sometimes be sensitive and prone to itching or rashes. Its important to keep dry skin hydrated throughout the day and to protect it from the sun or strong winds. Using a nice nutrient rich moisturiser will help keep your skin firm and soft. The good thing about dry skin is you’re probably less prone to blemishes.

Combination Skin
This is a mixture of Oily and Dry skin. Usually it includes an oily ‘T zone’ which is your forehead, nose and chin and dryer cheeks. This can vary though. Combination skin has to be treated separately, make sure to cleanse and exfoliate your T zone and be sure to moisturize and protect your cheeks.

Sensitive Skin
This is usually dry skin that is extra sensitive to the environment and chemicals in products. If you find you get a reaction from makeup, shampoos and skin care products or that your skin flares up easily in reaction to weather conditions you may have sensitive skin. I strongly reccommend using all natural products and staying away from anything too acidic on your face. If you have sensitive skin its always good to test new products on the back of your hand first.

Once you have identified your skin type, you can begin to establish a routine for maintaining your complexion. This includes all of the products or remedies you use and also lifestyle factors, which can have a big impact on your skins health and appearance.

Food for the Skin
Your diet is a major factor in your skins appearance, the Skin is your largest organ and it is also used to excrete toxins. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, such as fried foods and some baked goods, this is especially important if you have oily skin as you don’t want to increase your natural oil levels. Unsaturated oils however are beneficial to your skin, these include fish oil and olive oil (when uncooked.) Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables provides you with the nutrients required to repair and maintain healthy skin. You may also like to read my article on healthy living.

Internal Cleansing
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best remedies there is! However the minimum of ‘8-10 glasses’ often toted is actually a myth. Most people do not need to drink this much water. The water needed to remain hydrated varies greatly from person to person and also depends on how much liquid you are losing through perspiration etc. A more accurate estimate is that a normal adult loses about 10 cups of water a day, and consumes at least 4 cups in food so they only need 6 cups of water to stay healthy and hydrated. Adding a little lemon juice to your water is a great way to help detoxify your body as well.

Sleep and Rest
I can not emphasize enough how important it is to get your beauty sleep! It is while you are sleeping that your body is at its best repairing your skin so if you wish to have a nice complexion and heal quickly its early to bed and early to rise. Most people benefit from at least 8 hours sleep, but I find if I get 10 hours sleep a night my skin is significantly better. Stress is also a factor in poor skin so make sure you have your relaxation time each day.

Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise
These are the three steps most common in a skin care routine. With oily and combination skin you should probably do this twice a day, morning and night. For dry or sensitive skin you may be better only doing it once a day but moisturising more often. Find a balance that works for you. Cleansing removes dirt, makeup and oil from the skin and should be done with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Toning protects the skin and tightens pores, helping to keep it firm and youthful. Moisturising is the last step, it rehydrates the skin and a good moisturiser will also include nutrients and oils that help maintain the skins elasticity and balance.

I’ll be looking more at these three steps and sharing some of my favourite products in the next lesson, as well as offering some natural remedies for each.