The Basics & The Extras: all links so far

The Basics

• THE BASICS 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care

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• A Few Quick Tips from THE BASICS

• How to wash your face—things you may not know (new!)

• Skin care is not rocket science—Back to The Basics

• Too Busy for Skin Care? Sometimes doing The Basics is all you need

the extras

• THE EXTRAS—Do more to have healthy skin

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• The Extras work! Clients see improvement in their skin with these simple Extras

• Quick Tips for The Extras (new!)

How to wash your face—things you may not know

Milky cleansers generally won’t suds-up like this.

How should I be washing my face?

Knowing how to wash your face may seem obvious. But year after year I have clients who really aren’t quite sure about this process. It is of course not a difficult process but it is the first in a series of important steps that will help keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Read on in order to clear up any confusion, then you can go forth and wash your face with confidence.

A few things first: I highly recommend using pH papers to test any and all of your skin care products, including your cleanser. Below is an article that gives you that information and coming soon will be a more detailed account of exactly what to do. Regardless, it is an easy process once you have the pH test papers. It is essential to know the pH of your skin care products, and many cleansers are unfortunately in the alkaline category. And no matter how much you may love a certain cleaner, if it is alkaline you do not want to use it.

Next, I am basically against the use of washcloths on your face. (See the link below to get a better understanding of why I feel this way.) It won’t be the end of the world if you use one, but using your hands to apply or remove products from your face is always my first choice.

Finally, what cleansing product to use is also a frequent question I get asked. There is a thorough explanation of what a cleanser is and what to look for in this essential product in the article linked below. Read up on what to use and what not to use to help you make a good decision when it’s time to purchase your cleansing products. 

 

How to wash your face:

• Put a reasonable amount of product in the palm of your hand. If you have a milk cleanser, use about the size of a quarter to a half-dollar. With foaming cleansers, you’ll only need half as much
• Put your palms together so the cleanser spreads evenly on both hands
• Gently go over your entire face and neck. You are not rubbing hard, your hands are merely gliding over your face
• Massage the cleanser onto your skin (this should only take 10 or 15 seconds)
• Remove the cleanser by splash-rinsing with tepid water. Never use hot or cold water on your face!
• Pat your skin dry with a towel (again, no rubbing), and you’re clean and ready for Step 2: Toning

Don’t forget to get the cleanser in that ridge between your earlobe and cheek as well as behind your ears. Dirt and debris tend to collect in these odd places, and you want to clean them daily, too.

Many skin care regimens get picky about exactly how to do each step, like “splash 15 times with water captured in your basin” or “only use counterclockwise circles when applying products.” Instead of focusing on which way your hands are moving across your face, my main concern is getting you in the habit of using your cleanser. As long as you don’t pull the skin, use circular motion or whatever feels most effective.

Should I wet my face first?

You may be wondering if you should add water to your cleanser or if you need to apply the cleanser to an already wet face. The effectiveness of the cleanser is not contingent on how wet or dry your skin is. In this instance, let your personal preference be your guide. Some people like to put cleanser on a wet face, either in the shower or at their sink. You may prefer to apply it to your dry skin. Personally, I choose to add a little water to my cleanser, which allows it to glide across my face.

No matter your preferences on how to use your cleaning products, do use them—at least morning and evening (and in between if you have produced significant sweat)—and then go on to your toning product (hopefully in a spray bottle) and then your pH balanced moisturizer. I recommend reading The Basics if you are unsure about these 3 key steps to proper skin care.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• Questions about pH and pH papers—this will give you information on how to test your products. Coming up there will be a more detailed article about using pH papers
• Is it OK to use a washcloth on my face?
• CLEANSERS 101: What IS a cleanser? What to look for and what NOT to use—updated 

For a little extra information on how much is too much, see:

• How much cleanser am I supposed to use?

Quick Tips for The Extras

As I describe in The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin (link below), incorporating a few extra steps on a weekly basis can go a long way to contributing to your skin’s overall health. Following are some quick tips to help you enjoy The Extras even more.

Here are some Quick Tips taken from articles previously published on the subject:

• Music is an important component when getting into a relaxed state: body and mind. Put soothing music on in the background while you let your clay mask do its job for your skin.

• To involve your kids and perhaps give them a better understanding of your quiet time, have them draw or paint a creative Do Not Disturb sign for you to hang on the bathroom door.

• I like to use relaxation time in the bath to say my daily affirmations (prayers). All distractions are gone, and I can concentrate on the words I am reciting. (I do this in the shower too.) See Are you a “Bath Person”? (link below) for information on what to use in your bath along with other helpful tips for making bath-time relaxation time.

• If you travel, packing an inflatable bath pillow can help you enjoy your bath time while on the road. They are inexpensive (usually under $10) and won’t take up much space in your travel bag. You can do The Extras and take a relaxing bath while the clay mask is doing its magic!

For the full articles on subjects mentioned above, see:

• De-stressing Quick Tip: Music IS the doctor!
• Are you a “Bath Person”? 
• A (bath-time) Travel Quick Tip

A Few Quick Tips from THE BASICS

Following are a few tips that come from The Basics chapter in my first book, Timeless Skin:

• If you left your makeup on overnight (shame on you), you’ll need to exfoliate to get that embedded junk out of your pores before you put on another day’s makeup. Don’t skip this step!

• Use your spray toner throughout the day in the summer months so you can enjoy a cool spray of refreshment on your face during a hot summer’s day.

• Don’t use heavy creams around your eyes at night, or it’s very likely you’ll wake up with puffy eyes the next morning. Use eye cream sparingly but often and apply where your wrinkles are, not right up to your eyes.

• Treat your lips to healing, non-petroleum lip balms whenever you’re not wearing lipstick. It’s especially effective to use these products before you go to bed so it sits on your lips all night long.

• Try not to bite off the dry, flaking skin on your chapped lips. This will perpetuate the parched, flaky tissue and give you the potential for open sores where the skin has come off. It’s a hard habit to break, but it will help keep your lips from bleeding and give them time to heal.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin
• Will my puffy eyes ever go away? Help!
• Kiss Chapped Lips Goodbye!

The Extras work! Clients see improvement in their skin with these simple Extras

As their name implies, The Extras (done once or twice a week) are additions to your daily Basics 1-2-3 program that can help to keep your skin clear and healthy. These two extra steps are exfoliation and using a facial mask, preferably a clay mask. You can do The Extras individually on different days (exfoliate one day, clay mask a different day), for instance; or both together in one day; or incorporate them into an at-home facial, which to me is the best option. However you decide to integrate these steps into your skin care program, using them is important and will give you benefits whenever and however you choose to do The Extras.

I bought a clay mask because, just like you state in your book, I have seen an improvement in glow and cleanness from exfoliating and masking weekly.

The Extras (exfoliating and masking) plus relaxation combine to create an at-home facial, essentially. Relaxing—if you have time—is a nice extra Extra to add to your program and is an essential component, especially if you are under stress.

Facials, as many of you know, have a relaxing component to them, so including relaxation to your at-home facial elevates the benefits to your skin as well as your whole being. Although a professional facial involves a lot more than this, the point of an at-home facial is to get some of the results of a professional treatment in the comfort and convenience of your own home.

Relaxing could be as simple as lying on the couch while your clay mask is doing its job. You can get a little more elaborate if you want to by drawing a bubble bath and lighting scented candles, and even playing relaxing music. However you choose to incorporate these (two or) three steps, The Extras can make a big difference in your skin.

Here are the steps you’ll want to take for your at-home facial:

• Clean your face
• Use your exfoliator of choice
• Then apply the facial mask 

If you have problem skin, a clay mask is a must. Even if you don’t have problems, clay is beneficial for all skin types. I continue to prefer clay over hydrating masks; they simply have more benefits than a mere creamy mask.

• If you use clay, you need to keep it moist, so 
• Take your spray toner or water in a spray bottle with you into the tub or wherever you plan to relax
• Spray your face intermittently during the 15 or so minutes you have the mask on to keep it from drying on your skin
• Once your time is up, rinse the mask off
• Apply toner
• Use your favorite moisturizer and eye cream

Take as much time to relax as you can. After all, this is part of the at-home facial experience. Whether you elaborate on The Extras and create an at-home facial or just exfoliate and mask, doing The Extras once a week (or 2-3x a week if you have problem skin) will give you good results and help to maintain clear and healthy skin.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin 
• How to Use a Clay Mask
• At-home facials—Advanced steps

Too Busy for Skin Care? Sometimes doing The Basics is all you need

I’m a busy [executive, mom, or any person], and I don’t have much time to spend in front of the mirror taking care of my face. What can I do for optimum healthy skin?

This could have been written by a person in any profession, whether an office worker or a stay-at-home mom. Believe it or not, you don’t have to spend a lot of time on your skin; you just need to be consistent and conscientious. Your twice daily routine is simply to clean your skin, spray on a pH balanced toner, and apply an appropriate moisturizer. The moisturizing step includes using eye cream. That’s it—what I call The Basics 1-2-3. This may be enough for you, depending on the condition of your skin and your lifestyle habits, which include diet.

If you are having problems with your skin, of course you will want to spend a little more time doing a few extra things. The Extras include using an exfoliator, and especially if you have congestion problems, a good clay-based mask. The Extras can be done once to several times per week depending on your needs.

If you have no-problem skin and don’t want to do anything extra, you can do The Basics and nothing more. Your skin will be better off doing extra steps, but you may not have the time or inclination to do so. I would recommend having facials or giving yourself facials from time to time. Your skin will reflect this extra care with a healthier glow and smoother texture.

I think people (women and men) see all the commercials on TV and the advertisements in magazines for numerous skin care products and perhaps mistakenly think it will take a great effort along with many products to accomplish simple skin care. And as you have read, this is simply not true. Like many people, I don’t have a lot of time to spend in front of the mirror; therefore, I completely relate to this reader and her concerns for a simple program. Optimum health will be found doing the optimum elements to healthy skin.

To understand the minimum for a skin care routine plus a few added steps for healthy, vibrant skin—even if you run on a busy schedule—see:

• A Few Quick Tips from THE BASICS
• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin 

Skin care is not rocket science—Back to The Basics

Skin care is not rocket science. How our skin functions and how to take care of it is pretty basic. If you look back at history, the successful diets, exercise programs, and skin care regimes all reflect this concept of simplicity. Jack LaLanne’s TV workout programs, dating back to the 1950s, are chock-full of simple tips and advice. Most of the diet programs today are simply taking us back to an “old” way of eating; making sure we get our fruits and vegetables, not taking in too much refined foods and sugar, and getting adequate protein. That’s pretty simple, right? And so, too, I am striving to get all of you to adhere to a simple program for your skin that I call The Basics: Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing every day plus weekly exfoliation and clay masking (The Extras) along with monthly facials if possible. What’s complicated about that?

I am 45 years old and have been blessed with extraordinary clear skin. Except for it being very sensitive to fragrance, I never have a problem. Everyone has always commented on how flawless and young my skin looks. I purchased your book [Timeless Skin] because I thought that someday my “luck” would run out, and I wanted to prepare to maintain the healthy glow and clarity of my skin.

 

The main thing I would stress is this: Don’t ruin a good thing—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! And certainly, don’t go changing to try to please anybody. I think if we don’t have problems and we have idle time, maybe we start focusing on problems that don’t exist. If you have flawless, no-problem skin, congratulations! You are the envy of most people in the world. You probably are blessed with good genes and perhaps common sense as well. Because you don’t have problems, you don’t require a lot from your products—at least not as much as a person with problem skin does.

The daily routine for everyone is The Basics 1-2-3: Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Eye cream and sunscreen are included in your basic daily habits. Don’t forget to stay out of direct sunlight, even though you are wearing sunscreen. Drinking water, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and not too much of the bad stuff or anything in excess (even the good things) will go a long way to keeping you looking and feeling your best.

Understanding how the skin functions and why you need to use certain products should arm you with enough information to help you make wise decisions. It’s really very basic—like life. And don’t we really know in our hearts what works and what is just a fantasy? Common sense, to me, is the ability to discern the difference between the two. Left at the cosmetic counter unarmed, you may make costly mistakes, which can lead you down the path of skin care confusion. If that happens, look through Timeless Skin, Skin Care A to Z, and/or this blogsite, and remind yourself that taking care of your face is actually a simple procedure.

Fall back on your Basics 1-2-3 Program plus The Extras. Remember that you are in control of your daily skin care routine. Even taxed with a newborn or a hectic work schedule, realistically you can probably find two or three minutes a day to do your morning and evening routine. It doesn’t have to take longer than that to take basic care of your skin.

Helpful Hint. Let it be known (to your husband, wife, other family members, or close friends) that getting a gift certificate for a facial would be a big hit with you. I have heard from many family members of clients who contacted me to have a gift certificate sent to their loved one, my client. Giving the gift of a facial (or massage) is a wonderful thing and a great gift idea.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin 
• Too Busy for Skin Care? Sometimes doing The Basics is all you need

The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin

There are two steps you’ll want to add to The Basics on a weekly or biweekly basis that are important for maintaining healthy, problem-free skin. I call these two steps The Extras. Although they are called “extras,” I really consider them to be “essentials.” These important steps are exfoliating and using a clay mask. The Basics are your daily maintenance, but The Extras can take your skin one step closer to being its best.

Exfoliating removes the dead cell buildup on your face, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s an overaccumulation of dead skin and excess oil that can cause your pores to clog, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, and potentially breakout. Removing a few layers of dead cells on a regular basis is an important step that helps to clean out the surface skin, removing oil and debris that has accumulated; refine the texture of your skin, leaving it feeling smooth to the touch; exfoliation helps your moisturizer do a better job since the cream has less dead skin to absorb into. You will hear me say this a lot: Exfoliation is paramount to healthy, clear skin.

A clay mask deep cleans the pores and soothes the surface of your skin. Clay draws to itself, lifting out superficial debris from all of the pores the clay is spread on. Clay also can temporarily diminish redness, helping to soothe irritations. Clay is also good for stimulating blood circulation, which is always a plus for healthy-looking skin. I have written many articles about the importance of clay, especially if problem skin is an issue. Start by reading the articles below that also have more links to even more information to understand how beneficial this step is to your overall healthy skin care routine.

For more details, see the following articles:

• All About Exfoliation will help you understand the hows and whys of this important process
• The Basics 1-2-3 Program will give you more information on what your daily routine could (should) look like
• At-Home Facials—A DIY How-To—to get even more anti-stress results from The Extras

For more information about clay masks, see:

• Why use a Clay Mask 
• How to use a Clay Mask—Important Instructions
• Blemish Help Quick Tip

The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care

You mention the 1-2-3 program a lot. What exactly is that?

In my first book, Timeless Skin: Healthy Skin for a Lifetime, I came up with what I term The Basics and The Extras for everyone’s daily and weekly skin care programs. (Everyone includes women and men.)

The Basics 1-2-3 Program is just that: the basic steps you need to do twice daily—every day—in order to have clean, healthy, hydrated skin. These three steps consist of:

1. Cleansing the face with a gentle milk cleanser or face wash
2. Toning, using a spray toner
3. Moisturizing with your day and night hydrating treatment creams (you may be using one cream for day and night, which is fine). Included in the hydration step is using an eye cream to moisturize that specific area

Any and all products you use on your face must be pH balanced (or acid on the pH scale). Please read the article listed below to determine the proper pH of your skin care products. (This is very important!)

Also, always use your skin care products on your neck as well as your face. Although the tissue on your neck is different (fewer oil glands, thinner skin), it still responds to care and will show signs of neglect. So include your neck in everything you do.

Skin care doesn’t have to be complicated. It also doesn’t require a lot of time. The best results will be found by being consistent. So your basic daily routine consists of the aforementioned cleansing, toning, and moisturizing; every day, twice a day. You can get by just doing The Basics, but there are a few additional steps I highly recommend, called The Extras.

For more information, see:

• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin 
• Skin care is not rocket science—Back to The Basics
• Proper pH & your skin care products