Skin care may easily be the last thing on your mind if you are a woman with a disability. That's because with limited mobility or any other disability, you will obviously have more important things on your mind.
Not that caring for your skin isn't important, but not everyone may find it convenient to head to the salon even if they have a folding scooter at their disposal. A lot of women are also under the impression that it is difficult to have healthy glowing skin without putting in a lot of effort. If that's what you think too, you've come to the right place!
Here are some easy skin care tips that you can use.
Cleanse Daily
Cleansing your skin is the most important thing to do if you want to maintain healthy skin. Cleansing your skin is also quite simple and doesn't cost you much.
Cleanse your face twice daily if you can. If you can't, do ensure to cleanse your face at least once before going to bed. Cleansing removes impurities and excess oil from your skin and prepares it for further skin care treatments. Remember, just because it looks clean, doesn't mean it is!
Quit using ordinary bar soap and switch to facial cleansers designed for your skin type. Remember to use warm water to rinse your face; too cold or too hot water can irritate and damage your skin. Rinse properly to get rid of all cleanser and make-up residue. If using a washcloth, be gentle on your skin. A muslin washcloth is preferable if you have very delicate skin.
Further, always use a clean towel on your face. Pat dry or blot gently instead of rubbing vigorously.
Follow up with Toner
Most women consider this to be an unnecessary step but toning is almost as important as cleansing your skin. A toner helps soothe and nourish your skin while also restoring its pH balance. A good toner can also remove bits of oil, dirt, or make-up that the cleanser missed.
Additionally, toners can counteract the dehydrating effect of chlorine and other minerals found in tap water. Toners also help your skin absorb nutrients better and repair its protective barrier.
When applying moisturizer, be gentle on your skin and avoid pulling or stretching. Move in upward strokes so your skin absorbs the moisturizer easily. Be extra careful when moisturizing the delicate skin around your eyes. Don't forget to moisturize your lips with a lip balm.
Choose a toner with natural botanical ingredients rather than harsh chemicals. Hydrosols such as lavender, geranium, rose, or orange blossom are excellent toners as they are not only natural but provide added skin-conditioning benefits.
Avoid toners containing alcohols like ethanol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and SD alcohol 40. Toners containing alcohols will dry out your skin. This may seem great of you have oily skin, but using products that excessively dry out your skin will cause it to produce more sebum. This will eventually lead to your skin breaking out more.
Keep Skin Moisturized
Don't skip this step just because you have oily skin. All skin types need adequate moisturization; the trick only lies in selecting one that suits your skin the best.
If you have oily skin, buy a moisturizing lotion instead of a cream. Lotions have a lighter formula than creams and won't feel heavy on your face. Creams have more oils and offer more moisturization, making them perfect for those with dry skin. A moisturizer that is oil-free and non-comedogenic will help if your skin is acne-prone. Look for lotions without any acids such as salicylic or lactic acids if you have combination skin.
When applying moisturizer, be gentle on your skin and avoid pulling or stretching. Move in upward strokes so your skin absorbs the moisturizer easily. Be extra careful when moisturizing the delicate skin around your eyes. Don't forget to moisturize your lips with a lip balm.
Mask It
A facial mask is applied to the face and left on for about 15-20 minutes. Applying and washing off a face mask is very easy and the benefits are manifold. There are several types of face masks and all of them have different benefits. Choose one according to your skin type and skin problem.
A clay mask uses kaolin clay and helps absorb oil and draw out impurities from skin pores. Clay masks also help remove dead skin cells. A hydrating mask as the name suggests, hydrates the skin and is especially beneficial for those with dry skin. Some intense hydration masks are also meant to be left on your face overnight. If you're worried about your fine lines and wrinkles, opt for a firming and anti-aging mask.
Facial masks can give your skin the advantages of a spa facial. But if you don't want to head to the salon on your mobility scooter, you needn't worry. You just need to know what mask would suit your skin and how to make it. There are tons of homemade facial mask recipes available online and you're sure to benefit from them. What’s more, you’ll be able to find most of the ingredients in your kitchen or pantry!
Conclusion
While you may feel that one can have good skin only if one is blessed with it, it isn't true. Nor do you have to spend lots of time, money, and energy to have radiant skin.
With the tips mentioned here, it is clear that caring for your skin doesn't require much. Even if you have a disability, you can have healthy skin by doing the bare minimum for yourself. Find what works best for your skin, keep doing the right things, and be patient; you'll definitely see your skin get better!
Korie Cantor has been working as a freelance writer for a long time. She has a diverse background in health, mobility and fitness. She loves sharing her opinions on the latest issues affecting women.