8 Skin Commandments

Obey these skin commandments and you'll be on the highway to flawless-skin heaven.

THOU SHALT NOT...

• PICK YOUR PIMPLES: "Picking pimples can cause an infection. It may also leave scars and marks behind. Instead use appropriate pimple care products or consult a doctor or dermatologist if it is severe," says Methode Physiodermie's trainer Carol Soh. Whenever a pimple pops up, most women are tempted to attack the offensive bump with brute force. But this can cause more harm than help. If the extraction is not done properly, you may actually be forcing dirt and bacteria deeper into the pores, causing a more serious infection. Worse, if you use your bare fingers, you could be introducing dirt (from beneath your fingernails) that's unseen to the naked eye. If you want to get rid of pimples or blackheads fast, get them extracted professionally.
• FORGET YOUR SUNCARE: This really can't be emphasised enough - the sun's rays can cause serious damage to your skin, so never skip your suncare. Coat on a suncare product especially developed for the face right after your moisturiser and use makeup products with built-in SPF. Don't forget to reapply your suncare whenever you wash your face during the day. These little actions will do a world of good for your skin in the long-term.
• USE THE WRONG PRODUCT: Many women invest in certain products simply because they are popular. But just because they work for other people doesn't necessarily mean they'll work for you. To find out if the product suits you, Soh advises undergoing an in-depth skin consultation session and to have your skin analysed prior to any purchase. She stresses, "Check if the product suits your skin type and condition. Secondly, test the product on your wrist for 24 hours to ensure that there are no adverse reactions. Finally, if there is no improvement or significant results after a month of usage, one should reconsider the purchase and review accordingly."
• NEGLET YOUR NECK: What's the point of having a youthful-looking face but a neck like a turkey's? The TLC that you lavish on your face shouldn't stop at your jawline. Treat your neck with utmost care, simply because it's one of the first areas to show the signs of ageing. Explains Soh, "The neck is as fragile as the delicate eye area. The skin there is also thinner and therefore signs of ageing show up more quickly and more prominently. The skin on the neck loses elasticity easily, so taking care of the neck is a must!"
• FORGET TO REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE BED: One of the biggest skin sins that a woman can commit is to forget to clean her face before bedtime. No matter how late, how tired or how drunk you are, you have to make it a point to remove all traces of dirt and makeup before your head hits the pillow. Letting the day's makeup, grease and grime sit on your face for a full 24 hours will just result in clogged pores, pimples and filthy pollow cases. Invest in quick and easy cleansing wipes to remove makeup if you find that you're often too tired at night for a lengthy cleansing regime.
• USE UNHYGIENIC TOOLS: It's easy to forget, but just like your dog needs a regular bath, the sponges, brushes and applicators in your makeup compacts and cases need regular cleaning, especially if you use them on a daily basis. Bear in mind that every time you touch up you face with your powder compact, the sponge takes away a little sweat and grime that has cuumulated on your face. Let that collect and you've got a breeding ground for the germs for a make up tool. So give your makeup tools a wash in warm, soapy water at least once a week.
• BE CARELESS ABOUT PRODUCT APPLICATION: It's easy to get carried away with creams and lotions so you end up with more grease on your face. Be careful not to overdo the application of creams at night - if your skin feels greasy in the morning, you've gone overboard. The more, the merrier doesn't apply here so instead of slapping on the creams in a haphazard manner, do it with care. Dot it around the face in little dallops: forehead, cheeks, chin and a larger amount on the neck; massaging outwards and upwards - never downwards, which drags skin and can accelerate the sagging process. As for eye cream, dot it around the orbital bone (trace the brow bone, all the way round the eye socket). Gently tap the small amounts of cream into the skin and avoid pulling the skin aggressively.
• CONSIDER YOUR BEAUTY REGIME A CHORE: Instead of treating it like a dreaded task, enjoy yourself while you are going through your beauty regime. That little time is for you to pamper yourself, so whether it's moisturising your hands or relaxing with a facial mask, savour every moment of it. See your beauty regime as "you" time, because it lets you feel and look good.

Extracted from ELLE Magazine