Lets Talk About skin Care, Beauty And Health Tips

Q. Im looking for a good skin care routine for a 14 year old that helps clear and keep acne away and helps my overall appearance of my skin. Please include good brands

I have a few pimples, redish cheeks and nose (not roscea (sp??) and light freckles on my cheeks and nose. I have fair/pale skin.

also: Im looking for a light foundation to cover up some of my redness

thanks

Answer
Suggestions:

Three Step Skin Care:
1. Cleanse (I alternate between "Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash "and "Aveeno Positively Radiant Facial Cleanser")
2. Exfoliate (Depending on your choice and the exfoliator, exfoliate once or twice a week. I use the "Yes To Carrots Gentle Exfoliator" and it's gentle enough for me to use everyday.)
3. Moisturize (I usually use "Clinique's Dramatically Different Lotion" but I also use "Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 30".)
(4. SPF! I use Aveeno)

As for acne, since you said that you don't have a lot, keep some spot treatment gel on you when you do break out. Also, every once every few weeks, take out your pillow cases and throw them in the washing machine with your clothes. You'll be surprised at how much dirt and oil is on there.

I'm a teen too, but I don't really use foundation, but since you're looking for something light, go for a (moisturizing) face tint instead of foundation. SHEER foundation might be alright too.

Other tips:
- Avoid eating excessive sugary foods
- Avoid excessive junk foods
- Drink lots of water
- If your hair is oily, then wash it more often to keep the oils from getting on your face

best light makeup thats healthy? and skin care?

what would you suggest for a healthy skin makeup and for my skin to be fresh healthy, smooth, lotions? sunscreen?

Answer
There's tried-and-true ways to properly care for your skin, from the right way to cleanse your face, to the best moisturizers and sunscreens.

Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skincare routine, you'll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Find out what skin type you have.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen Step 1: Cleansing
Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. See the best cleansers for your skin type.

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her, "Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." We agree. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French use. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about overcleansing skin, see signs you are overcleansing your skin.

Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

See my list of the best facial scrubs and microdermabrasion kits.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can't afford the price tag for a monthly peel? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare's.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver. I'm addicted to Retin-A, which I pick up in Mexico on my yearly jaunts.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, "toners are only for copy machines"). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

Step 3: Moisturize
While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn't need moisturizer, basically everyone else I've read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the "Saran Wrap effect"). So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can clog pores.

See my list of the best moisturizers on the market.

Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to "thicken" this area. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

See my list of the best eye creams.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen
O Magazine ran an article featuring intervie