What are some things I should know about taking good care of my skin?

I don't have terribly bad skin but not great either. I grew up with my Dad so maybe I just don't know what I'm doing. Any tips? And I'm talking about my face. Thanks!What are some things I should know about taking good care of my skin?
You should start looking after your skin from your late teens, early twenties right up until your hands are too shaky to pick anything up. Start now with a daily regime of cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing. Once you get use to doing it daily you will feel and look a lot healthier and good about yourself.





Step one -- Cleanse.


Cleansing you skin and removing dirt, makeup and other impurities that clog your skin is essential. You should cleanse your skin at least twice a day with a mild, non-irritating cleanser. Your cleanser should not strip your skin of its natural oils and it should easily rinse away.





Always consider your skin type first when choosing a cleanser. A good cleanser will remove impurities without leaving residue. You should avoid cleansing with soap. This is because skin is slightly acidic and soap is alkaline. This disrupts the skins naturally acidic protective film. Oil based cleansers are suitable for all skin types.





Cream cleansers will suit a dry skin. Smooth on the cleanser and leave it for a few seconds to dissolve impurities. Then very gently wipe it off with cotton wool or damp tissue. When using a wash off cleanser you should apply it to damp skin and then remove with warm water.





Step two -- Tone.


Using a toner rehydrates, cools, nourishes and refreshes your skin. Toners remove any remaining traces of dirt, makeup or oil your cleanser may have not removed. It's good to use a toner that is alcohol-free, as alcohol may dry your skin.





Step three -- Exfoliate.


Exfoliating gives the skin a healthy glow and gets rid of the spots that tend to make you look sallow and your skin blotchy.





Exfoliants help remove dead cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin. Make sure the exfoliant is not granular so you do not damage new skin. An exfoliant can be as simple as a face cloth or as high-tech as the latest serums containing AHAs.





Step four -- Moisturize.


Just as the rest of you body requires hydration and nutrients, so does your skin. Your skin should be treated with a daytime moisturizer that provides a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. At night, using a more intense moisturizer helps to rebalance and normalize your skin as you sleep.





There's no rule that says you have to use moisturizer all over your face; you may just need a light eye cream and a bit of moisturizer on your drier cheek area.





All skin has its own natural moisturizing factor that regulates water flow from the dermis to the surface. Sebum also helps by forming a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture loss. As we grow older both of these however decrease in activity and therefore we need a water regulating moisturizer. All skin types really need moisturizing twice a day.





You should be careful to choose a moisturizer to suit your skin type. For oily skins oil free formulas and oil in emulsions. Water in oil formulations suit dry normal skin. You should always sprits your skin with water before applying moisturizer. Water plumps up the skin cells creating an even surface making lines less apparent.





also, Eat healthier


By avoiding foods that often make your face breakout, your skin will be less oily and more resistant to blemishes. Some problem foods that may cause pimples or breakouts include chocolate and other candy, French fries, fast food, pizza and soft drinks.





To get your skin in better shape, you may not have to give up everything that has negative effects on your skin, but rather, eat those things in moderation. Have greasier foods as a special treat or on rare occasion when eating a healthy, balanced meal is out of the question.





Hydrate and exercise


Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water per day coupled with some regular exercise - walking, running, bicycling, engaging in sports - should have a great impact on one鈥檚 complexion. Increased blood flow due to aerobic exercise will positively impact one鈥檚 complexion with a glowing look to replace dull skin.





Not only will exercise and drinking water help skin tone and texture, but it will also make you feel more energized and great about yourself. By keeping your body in shape, you will feel less stressed and more capable of achieving those things you set out to do.





Monitor sun exposure


By using a moderate strength sunscreen, you will be protecting your skin from sun damage, skin cancer, aging and premature wrinkles. Too much sun can blister one鈥檚 lips, leaving them red, sore and charred. Sunburned skin will eventually peel most times, leaving skin areas blotchy and sensitive. The best approach to preventing sunburn and other sun-caused skin problems is to monitor how much time one spends in the sun and to avoid sun exposure by using sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater.





hope this helps!What are some things I should know about taking good care of my skin?
First, moisturize by drinking enough water. Dehydrated skin can look dull and dry. People often use heavy creams when they just need water.





Protect skin from aging and the sun. Use a moisturizer with at least 15 spf protection.





Don't use mineral oil or petroleum oil on your skin.


Get a facial and massage every now and then. It feels great and is good for your skin. If you belong to a health club, take saunas.





Have your skin type analyzed in a department store. No pressure to buy and they're happy to answer your questions. Get samples, experiment to find what works for you. Drugstore products are as good as dept store, they put more $$ into research than in packaging and advertising. Neutrogina and Almay are great. Natural food stores also have good skin care lines like Longona, Bert's Bees, Jason or Zia.
The most important thing to your skin is what you put in it, not on it. Drink plenty of water, eat lots of fresh fruits and veges. Keep it clean and moisturized with natural products. I like products by Burts Bees and Kiss My Face. Of course, don't smoke. Get some sun, but not too much. That's about it. The water and fresh foods are the best thing.