Young skin is naturally firm, plump, and resilient, but to keep it that way you need to begin a good skin-care regimen as early as possible. Used regularly as a three-step program, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers work together to keep the skin smooth and clear. Really clean skin provides a much better base for makeup, too. The skin on your body also needs frequent attention, and there are now body shampoos, gels, lotions, and scrubs to help you pamper yourself on a daily basis.

Cleansers

Cleansers should remove deep-down din and makeup without disturbing the skin's balance or stripping away natural oils. Your choice of cleanser will be determined by your skin type.

A gentle cleanser for sensitive and normal skin that cleanses and conditions simultaneously

A clay-based cleanser for oily and combination skin that deep-cleanses pores and softens dead skin cells

An invigorating face scrub that sloughs off dead cells to leave skin fresh and clean

Toners

A toner helps remove any residual traces of cleanser, which could cause irritation, and also helps to make the skin more receptive to moisturizer. After being toned, the skin should feel firm and refreshed but never dry and taut. Look lor alcohol-frec loners with soothing ingredients, ami always use the right toner lor your skin type.

Moisturizers

A moisturizer's mosl basic job is to preserve fluid in ihc skin's upper layers so that it looks fresh and well hydrated. Whether moisturizers can delay the onset of wrinkles is the subject of debate, but they do help skin lo look good. Use a light moisturizer during the day (which will not disturb your makeup) and a richer cream at night when skin can absorb most moisture. If your skin feels dry, treat it to an even richer hydrating cream.

Body Cleansers

A warm ball) b one of the best places (o relax and pamper yourself. Purify the skin wiih a body shampoo or body scrub, or soak up the soothing properties of a bath oil.

Bath Crystals

Make a warm Ixith even more soothing by adding sonic fragrant bath crystals wiih natural ingredients such as sca-waicr minerals and seaweed extracts.

Body Moisturizers

Alter bathing or showering, massage a non-oily moisturizer all over your body and follow, if desired, with a refreshing lotion, but always use a specially formulated cream to keep hands soft and supple. To combat cellulite, try a special treatment oil or body balm with natural plant extracts.

special Treatments In the summer, you may want

mote protection than an ordinary sun cream can give. A waterproof face block will provide complete protection against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, and can also be used as a moisturizing makeup base. As a special addition to your normal cleansing, toning, and moisturizing program, try a deep-cleansing clay face pack to remove deep-down din and hot, firming massage gel to reduce puffiness and bring health glow.

(source: Dk publishing Inc - Classic Makeup and Beauty - Mary Quant)