Choosing the Right Formula
Treat body, face, and scalp products with the same approach.  Match the products you use to the type of skin you have on those spots.  Rough or dry skin should be treated with moisturizing cleansers and rich creams.  For sensitive skin, choose mild and unscented washes and creams.  There are plenty of calming ingredients to look for, like chamomile, aloe, or feverfew.  Oily skin requires deeper-cleaning washes and lighter lotions.  If acne is an issue, look for medicinal ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. 

For shampoos and conditioners, we tend to pick products that suit our hair textures.  However, consider that the scalp will also be treated with whatever you’re using on your strands.  If you have a dry scalp but you constantly use shampoos to remove buildup, you’re probably stripping your skin’s natural moisture away.  Consider using clarifying formulas only once a week, and picking a more gentle shampoo for the rest of the time.  It’s possible to break out on the scalp as well.  There are shampoos for scalp acne, but use these sparingly (say, only when needed).  They can be too drying to the hair, making it prone to breakage. 

Avoid Infection
Just like we catch germs in public places, we can catch skin ailments that can be very hard to treat.  Since the skin is such a large organ that covers an expansive area, something that affects one part of it can spread and eventually affect its entirety. 

Do you play sports or go to the gym? Always wear shoes in communal areas to avoid things like athletes’ foot.  Don’t share towels or bathing suits with others, or you risk catching fungal infections like ringworm.  These fungi are itchy, visible and can take months to completely get rid of.

If you go to the spa or nail salon, be absolutely sure the utensils and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.  You’ll be laying down or putting your hands and feet on a number of areas that can harbour infections or diseases that threaten your skin.

Follow A Routine
Body skin, face skin and the scalp all need to be cleansed, moisturized and protected from the sun.  Once you get the perfect formula for you, follow the basic steps any skin and scalp care routine needs. 

1. Wash your body skin once a day, and follow with a cream (if you have dry skin) or a lotion (for oily or normal skin) when the skin is still damp. 

2. Exfoliate in the shower once a week, and always apply sunscreen at least fifteen minutes before going outdoors.  You still need sunscreen if it’s cloudy out, because UVA and UVB rays are always present.

3. Your face needs to be washed twice a day.  When you wake up, cleanse the skin and follow with moisturizer and a sunscreen for the face.  There are a lot of great dual moisturizer/sunscreen formulas on the market that help cut down on steps. 

4. Exfoliate just once a week, twice for oily skin.  At night, be sure to remove all makeup before cleansing and moisturizing again.

5. The number of times you wash your scalp and hair depends on its type.  If you need to wash every day, use a gentle moisturizing shampoo to reduce the drying damage to your scalp and locks.  Don’t apply conditioner to the scalp regularly, as it can be too heavy for the skin and it will weigh the hair down.  Once in a while though, if you find your scalp itchy and dry, you can rub a small amount of conditioner on the scalp as well. 

6. Look for shampoos, conditioners or any hair products that offer UVA/UVB protection.  They can be harder to find, but there are a few well-known brands that offer protection for hair and scalp as well.  If you’ll be under direct sun, it’s recommended to apply sunscreen to the part of your hair. 

Stick to the Basics
Advice on how to care for skin is constantly changing, but the basic rules have always remained the same.  Keep it clean, soft and protected.  Don’t do anything harsh or neglectful, like leaving makeup on at bedtime.  Treat skin with the same care as all your other organs, and it will give back.  You’ll feel softer and look more radiant than ever.