Taking Care of Your Face: Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing

Safeguard your complexion by developing a daily program of facial care that includes a thorough morning wash, either repeated in the evening or substituted by a nightly cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine.

For washing, use the simplest high quality soap you can buy, without added disinfectants or perfume; medicated soaps may help combat septic skin conditions such as boils, but are otherwise not necessary.

If you use a face flannel, ensure it is always clean and fresh. After soaping your face, rinse it well with plain water, and pat it dry with a clean, soft towel.

Cleansing - Always remove make-up at night. Take off mascara with a cotton bud dipped in eye cleansing lotion, and eye shadow with a pad of clean cotton wool moistened with the lotion. Dab face-cleansing cream generously over the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks.

Massage it into the skin, starting under the throat with a gentle, upward motion. Massage up to the forehead, then across under the eyes to the nose, and finally back over the chin. Remove the cream with soft tissue pads or damp cotton wool held in each hand, again starting from the throat and working up.

Toning - Use a toner to remove any traces of dirt, make-up or cleanser immediately after cleansing. Choose one that just tingles, should the toner sting then it is too strong.

Take a clean cotton-pad and soak lightly in the toner. First apply to the forehead and cheeks and then move onto the crevices around the nose and lastly the chin. Avoid the delicate areas around the eyes.

Moisturizing - Washing and the weather both remove the natural moisture from our skins, which results in drying and tautening. A thin layer of moisturizer after toning helps to keep the face smooth and supple.

Dot moisturizing cream lightly over the face. Starting from the center of the forehead work the cream outwards using the fingers of both hands. Pat the cream gently around the eye area and cheeks. Then work it around the jaw line, chin and mouth, finally massaging it with upward strokes over the throat.

Facials and masks - An occasional facial treatment will remove deep-seated impurities and stimulate circulation. To give yourself a home facial, buy some camomile tea bags and a facial, or beautifying mask from a pharmacist. A clay-based mask often may benefit oily skins and creamy masks contain additional moisturizing agents for drier skins.

Remove all make-up and cover your hair with a shower cap. Pour boiling water over two camomile tea bags in a basin. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam and hold your face about 12 inches above the water for approximately ten minutes.

Blot dry with a towel or soft tissues and then apply the mask according to the given instructions. Be careful not to get it too close to your eyes, mouth or hairline. Leave it on as directed and then remove it with toner and cotton wool, rinse your face in cool water, blot dry and apply moisturizer.