#1 Keep it clean
It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important for proper skin care. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good.

Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Deodorant soaps shouldn't be used on your face. They cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This may irritate your skin and will clog your pores. Go natural.

A good scrub is essential for healthy clean skin. It will remove dead cells and smooth the surface of your face. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts. They will tear and damage the skin. A good scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you.

Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing.

For an intensive moisture skin care treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. It is available in liquid form, or just break open a capsule and apply the oil directly to the skin. This is a great under eye treatment. Remember it is very important to moisturize this sensitive area of the face. It is one of the first places to show age because the under eye skin secretes no necessary oils on its own.

#2 Keep it toned
Environmental debris and pollutants are a factor to keep in mind with regards to skin care. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm.

As skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids work the best for toning the face. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. Remember to look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light).

#3 Treat your skin
Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin's needs.

Quick Lip Tip Don't just use facial cream on your face--use it on your lips too! It will make your lips feel soft, full and beautiful.

All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment.

Avoid using too much perfume on your face, perfumes used in excess can irritate and fatigue your skin.

Skin that is too shiny doesn't look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Blotting papers or a light powder that will give you a more natural finish, are both good options to try.

Don't forget about your lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and keeps the lips looking luscious.

#4 Protect your skin
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health.

Here are the key techniques:

Avoid over exposure to the sun.
Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face.

Stay in shape.
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young.

Eat right.
Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen.

Everything in moderation.
Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

The skin has been described as the body’s "cutaneous envelope" and as an envelope that both contains us and protects us from the outside world.

The skin is the body’s largest organ. Fifteen percent of the average adult’s weight is skin, and it covers a surface area of nearly 2 square meters. The importance of this complex organ to our survival is graphically illustrated by the mortality rate of people who have been badly burned. When our cutaneous envelope is destroyed, our lives are threatened.

Protection is the skin’s most important job. This covering cushions the body from physical trauma and helps guard against the entry and growth of microorganisms.

The skin acts as a barrier to harmful substances, absorbs and blocks ultraviolet radiation, and protects against damage from low-voltage electrical current.

The skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature and protecting us from extreme environmental temperatures, both hot and cold. Our cutaneous envelope also helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

The skin is an important sensory organ that transmits sensations such as pressure, touch, warmth, cold, and pain.

The skin has three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the thin, protective outer layer. The dermis is the tough, elastic second layer. The subcutaneous tissue is the layer of fatty and connective tissue beneath the dermis.