Posted on 23rd Jan 2012 @ 1:08 PM

Having radiant skin isn't rocket science. Lifestyle choices, however, are just as important as sticking to your daily skin-care regimen. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, limiting alcohol, and not smoking are major players. Now for the Basic 4 in skin care:

1. Cleanse 2. Exfoliate 3. Tone 4. Moisturize

1. Cleanse

• Start with clean hands
• Use lukewarm water (hot or cold water can cause broken capillaries)
• Use a mild cleanser (avoid bar soaps - they tend to dry out the skin)
• Gently rub the cleanser into your face using a circular motion (giving your face a mini-massage promotes circulation.) Rinse and ‘pat’ dry

2. Exfoliate A simple, yet very important step people often skip in their weekly skincare routine. Trust me, if you start using a ‘scrub’ you will notice an immediate difference! Your skin ‘sluffs off’ about ‘one million’ dead skin cells a day! Exfoliating will help to get rid of them and make your skin smoother in appearance and to the touch.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that will dull your complexion and can clog your pores. Try to exfoliate at least 2-3 times a week. (The only exception to this would be if you have acne or very sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, you should still be able to use a good scrub once a week.) Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs (some even use chopped-up plastic which will cause microscopic lacerations on your face) can tear skin and cause more harm than good. Definitely not a good idea!

Exfoliating also allows Moisturizers and Serums to penetrate better into the skin and helps your foundation glide on more smoothly, giving your skin a glowing appearance.

3. Toner A good toner will tone and remove all remaining traces of cleanser, oil, make-up and any remaining dead skin cells that can clog pores. Apply Toner with a cotton pad to face and neck.

4. Moisturize Moisturizers seal moisture into your skin. Apply the moisturizer immediately after using the toner (while face is still a bit damp) – this helps to seal the moisture into your skin better. Moisturizing will help prevent dryness and also plumps up your skin, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

When it comes to choosing products, look for ingredients which contain humectants (like glycerin) that absorb water from the air and seal in moisture, and antioxidants to help fight against the effects of pollution and sun damage. Also look for non co-monogenic products (means ‘won’t clog pores’), fragrance-free moisturizers or natural fragrances which won’t irritate your skin. An SPF is also an important ingredient.

Related AHS Products: Natural Skin Care Products and Systems