Creating a Proper Moisture Balance For Your Skin

How many times have you browsed through a beauty magazine to check out the latest trend in makeup, and then soon thereafter head to the store to buy the product just to find that it does not seem to look as amazing on you as it does on the model? What about the celebrities on the red carpet? Why do they always look flawless? Is it the airbrushed lens, or is it the fact that their makeup was probably applied by a professional makeup artist? Is it the price of the product they are paying to get an amazing makeup finish? Would you be surprised to learn that your makeup can look just as fresh and flawless as those in front of the camera?

Behind the Scenes
It does not matter what kind of money you spend on makeup, or even the brand for that matter. It will not perform optimally unless you understand how to create moisture balance to your skin. Creating this balance may mean different things for many women as we have normal, dry, or combination skin.

Skin Care
Using a personal skin care regimen daily is a vital foundation for those that wear makeup. So, where do you start? Think about how you are currently taking care of your skin. For example, when you cleanse your face in the evening, how does your skin feel afterward? Does it feel dry and tight, a little oily, or does it feel just right? If it feels dry and tight, you might want to consider finding a cleanser that is specifically designed for normal to dry skin. If you find that you have dry patches as well, you will want to use a facial scrub 2 to 3 times per week. New skin emerges every three days, and by exfoliating those dry patches, you will help the new skin to show itself. If your skin feels oily or not quite clean enough after cleansing, you may want to consider finding an oil-free cleanser. If your skin feels neither dry or oily, congratulations! Your skin is normal and you can continue to use your current cleanser.

To Moisturize or Not To Moisturize
It does not matter what type of skin you have, moisturizer is an essential part of creating a proper moisture balance. There are those that believe if they have oily skin, they do not need to use a moisturizer. This is a myth. Not using a moisturizer will cause the skin to automatically moisturize itself, which in this case can cause more oil buildup, Acne, and other problematic skin conditions. Once you finish the cleanse test above, you will be able to choose a proper moisturizer. If your skin is dry, you would do best with a moisturizer that is specially formulated for dry skin. If your skin is combination or oily, an oil-free moisture gel would be best. If your skin is normal, you have a choice of using a light moisturizer or moisture gel.

A Perfect Ending
Now that you have found your skin's unique moisture balance, you are ready to play with makeup! You will find that your products will apply much smoother, and you will also notice longer wearability of your products.

Kristi Shannon-Brooks is the CEO and Founder of KmS Mineral Essentials Cosmetics, a leader in the mineral makeup industry. She created KmS to fill a void in the marketplace so that women with the most sensitive skin could enjoy the benefits of wearing mineral makeup.