( 
)There is such a large number of skin care products available in the market today that walking in a store and choosing those that not only appeal to you, but right for you as well, can be intimidating and overwhelmingly difficult.
Dermatologists say that the best skin care is to always wash the face with a milky cleanser in lukewarm water. Follow this with a hydrating toner before applying a moisturizer. It is imperative to try not to leave the skin un-moisturized for too long after cleansing. Always hydrate the skin to avoid dryness which could cause unnecessary flaking. Use these three steps (cleanse, tone, and moisturize) just two times a day, once in the morning and another before going to bed in the evening.
Here is some information about cleansers, toners, and moisturizers which could help you decide which ones are the right ones for you.
Cleansers
The right way of cleaning the face is by using a special cleanser, a facial care product that is used to unclog pores by remove pollutants, dead skin cells, oil, and dirt from the skin of the face. This prevents skin conditions such as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and in severe cases, acne.
Many people view cleansers as better alternatives to regular bar soaps. Bar soaps have a higher pH level than the skin’s, which means ordinary bar soaps can change the pH balance present in the skin. Having less or more pH in the skin can trigger the proliferation of some types of bacteria that cause acne. Most bar soaps also have thickening agents that can clog pores, leading once again to acne. Bar soaps can also have chemicals that can remove the natural oils from the skin. These oils help retain skin moisture, and if they are stripped away, the skin becomes dry.
Because of these reasons, cleanser users often use this product once or several times a day, although this practice depends on the type of cleanser one uses. Some products already have moisturizer incorporated in their formula so as to prevent the skin from drying, and some even have fragrance or essential oils. However, caution is advised for the use of these products. These extra ingredients may often provoke allergic responses that causes skin irritation, varying from mild to severe in some people.
After all, people have different skin types. Dermatological product companies have developed different kinds of cleansers for these varying skin types. Oily skin needs to be washed with strong cleansers so as to rid the skin of excess oils which in turn prevents breakouts. On the other hand, a creamy cleanser is needed for very dry skin to replenish moisture. This is all right as long as the cleanser does not leave an oily-feel on the skin after washing. Another important thing to remember is to always select a cleanser that is alcohol free if you have desiccated skin.
Toners
Toners are a kind of lotion that are intended to cleanse the skin and contract pores. Usually used on the face, toners are applied after washing with facial cleanser. Toners, depending on how they are manufactured, can be applied to the skin by different ways. One is by dabbing with damp cotton, or by spraying toner onto the face. Another is by a gauze mask. First, a piece of gauze is soaked with toner and then left on the face for several minutes.
Toners come in different forms. The mildest one is called skin freshener. Skin fresheners are the least harsh to skin. They are most appropriate for dry to normal skin. They are also recommended for sensitive skin. Skin fresheners contain 0-10% alcohol, water, and humectants as ingredient. Humectants are moisture-sealing substances. They prevent skin from drying. The most common humectants found in toners are glycerin and rosewater.
Skin tonics are another form of toner. They are slightly stronger and suitable for use on normal to oily types of skin. Like skin fresheners, they also contain water, and humectants as ingredient. The amount of the alcohol ingredient however is increased. Most skin tonics have 20% alcohol.
The strongest form of toner is called astringents. They contain a high proportion of alcohol which could reach from 20% to 60%. Aside from the usual water and humectants ingredient, it also has antiseptic ingredients. Astringents are recommended for those with oily skin, as they are drying. To prevent overuse, astringents are best applied only to problem areas of the skin.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are part of the three-step beauty regimen recommended by skin care experts – cleanser-toner-moisturizer. In fact, they are among the most used and prescribed products for the skin.
Moisturizers are mixtures of chemical agents that are specially created to make the outside layer of the skin softer and more supple. This is achieved by the increasing of water content in the skin. Moisturizers may have skin lipids, sterols, artificial or natural oils, humectants, emollients, lubricants as part of their ingredients. Most moisturizers available are commercially made, but there are some people who make them at home just by using common pharmacy ingredients.
Aside from rejuvenating the skin by rehydrating it, moisturizers can also repair scaly and damaged skin, build protection against skin’s water loss, alleviate severe dryness caused by external environmental aggressions, and postpone the aging effects on the skin such as wrinkles and crow feet.
Although simple home-made moisturizers can be prepared from few simple chemicals such as olive oil, water and glycerin, it is still best to use commercial preparations, especially if you are unsure of your skin type.
Moisturizers are varied in composition. Many include humectants, such as glycerin, urea, and lactic acid. Natural moisturizing factors are also common ingredients. One example is emollient, which acts as a barrier against loss of water and has a smoothing effect on skin. It also acts as skin softener and lubricant. Other emollients are oil-water emulsions of varying composition. These may include esters and oils. Commercial moisturizers may also include certain emulsifiers and fragrance agents. There are also products in the market that boasts of the addition of vitamins (usually A, B, C, D and E), nutritive agents, proteins, and other minerals that are good for the skin.
Duty Free House has a vast assortment of imported skin care products made from choice active organic ingredients that are clinically tested and dermatologic safe on any skin type. Our beauty products are available in different types and forms which include scrubs, cream, lotions, masks, and spray-on.
Dermatologists say that the best skin care is to always wash the face with a milky cleanser in lukewarm water. Follow this with a hydrating toner before applying a moisturizer. It is imperative to try not to leave the skin un-moisturized for too long after cleansing. Always hydrate the skin to avoid dryness which could cause unnecessary flaking. Use these three steps (cleanse, tone, and moisturize) just two times a day, once in the morning and another before going to bed in the evening.
Here is some information about cleansers, toners, and moisturizers which could help you decide which ones are the right ones for you.
Cleansers
The right way of cleaning the face is by using a special cleanser, a facial care product that is used to unclog pores by remove pollutants, dead skin cells, oil, and dirt from the skin of the face. This prevents skin conditions such as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and in severe cases, acne.
Many people view cleansers as better alternatives to regular bar soaps. Bar soaps have a higher pH level than the skin’s, which means ordinary bar soaps can change the pH balance present in the skin. Having less or more pH in the skin can trigger the proliferation of some types of bacteria that cause acne. Most bar soaps also have thickening agents that can clog pores, leading once again to acne. Bar soaps can also have chemicals that can remove the natural oils from the skin. These oils help retain skin moisture, and if they are stripped away, the skin becomes dry.
Because of these reasons, cleanser users often use this product once or several times a day, although this practice depends on the type of cleanser one uses. Some products already have moisturizer incorporated in their formula so as to prevent the skin from drying, and some even have fragrance or essential oils. However, caution is advised for the use of these products. These extra ingredients may often provoke allergic responses that causes skin irritation, varying from mild to severe in some people.
After all, people have different skin types. Dermatological product companies have developed different kinds of cleansers for these varying skin types. Oily skin needs to be washed with strong cleansers so as to rid the skin of excess oils which in turn prevents breakouts. On the other hand, a creamy cleanser is needed for very dry skin to replenish moisture. This is all right as long as the cleanser does not leave an oily-feel on the skin after washing. Another important thing to remember is to always select a cleanser that is alcohol free if you have desiccated skin.
Toners
Toners are a kind of lotion that are intended to cleanse the skin and contract pores. Usually used on the face, toners are applied after washing with facial cleanser. Toners, depending on how they are manufactured, can be applied to the skin by different ways. One is by dabbing with damp cotton, or by spraying toner onto the face. Another is by a gauze mask. First, a piece of gauze is soaked with toner and then left on the face for several minutes.
Toners come in different forms. The mildest one is called skin freshener. Skin fresheners are the least harsh to skin. They are most appropriate for dry to normal skin. They are also recommended for sensitive skin. Skin fresheners contain 0-10% alcohol, water, and humectants as ingredient. Humectants are moisture-sealing substances. They prevent skin from drying. The most common humectants found in toners are glycerin and rosewater.
Skin tonics are another form of toner. They are slightly stronger and suitable for use on normal to oily types of skin. Like skin fresheners, they also contain water, and humectants as ingredient. The amount of the alcohol ingredient however is increased. Most skin tonics have 20% alcohol.
The strongest form of toner is called astringents. They contain a high proportion of alcohol which could reach from 20% to 60%. Aside from the usual water and humectants ingredient, it also has antiseptic ingredients. Astringents are recommended for those with oily skin, as they are drying. To prevent overuse, astringents are best applied only to problem areas of the skin.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are part of the three-step beauty regimen recommended by skin care experts – cleanser-toner-moisturizer. In fact, they are among the most used and prescribed products for the skin.
Moisturizers are mixtures of chemical agents that are specially created to make the outside layer of the skin softer and more supple. This is achieved by the increasing of water content in the skin. Moisturizers may have skin lipids, sterols, artificial or natural oils, humectants, emollients, lubricants as part of their ingredients. Most moisturizers available are commercially made, but there are some people who make them at home just by using common pharmacy ingredients.
Aside from rejuvenating the skin by rehydrating it, moisturizers can also repair scaly and damaged skin, build protection against skin’s water loss, alleviate severe dryness caused by external environmental aggressions, and postpone the aging effects on the skin such as wrinkles and crow feet.
Although simple home-made moisturizers can be prepared from few simple chemicals such as olive oil, water and glycerin, it is still best to use commercial preparations, especially if you are unsure of your skin type.
Moisturizers are varied in composition. Many include humectants, such as glycerin, urea, and lactic acid. Natural moisturizing factors are also common ingredients. One example is emollient, which acts as a barrier against loss of water and has a smoothing effect on skin. It also acts as skin softener and lubricant. Other emollients are oil-water emulsions of varying composition. These may include esters and oils. Commercial moisturizers may also include certain emulsifiers and fragrance agents. There are also products in the market that boasts of the addition of vitamins (usually A, B, C, D and E), nutritive agents, proteins, and other minerals that are good for the skin.
Duty Free House has a vast assortment of imported skin care products made from choice active organic ingredients that are clinically tested and dermatologic safe on any skin type. Our beauty products are available in different types and forms which include scrubs, cream, lotions, masks, and spray-on.
Guide created: 04/21/07 (updated 02/28/08)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
