Human skin is the largest of all the organs in the body. Acting as a barrier from harmful pollutants, bacteria, and other microorganisms, our skin plays an important role in protecting our bodies and furthermore, the appearance of physical aging. With so many skin care products on drugstore shelves and in department store cases, proper and effective skin care may seem overwhelming, if not confusing. Luckily, taking care of our skin is much easier than it seems. Let’s explore the essential skin care regiment every person should follow. 1. Cleanse The purpose of cleansing is to remove excess dirt, germs, oils, sebum, and cosmetics from the skin. Cleansers generally come in two different forms: bars and liquids. The traditional bar cleanser is often the most effective in removing dirt and oil from the skin, but it also has a drying, irritating effect. Liquid cleansers come in cremes (typically used on dry and sensitive skin types) and gels or foams (formulated for combination, oily, or acne-prone skin types). The greatest pitfall with cleansing is the belief that clean skin should feel dry and tight. This is actually a sign of over cleansing. Unfortunately, this can actually accelerate the aging process, so ensure your cleanser leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. 2. Tone Sold under a multitude of names like ‘clarifying lotion’, ‘toning lotions’, ‘astringents’ and ‘refiners’, toner is the next essential skin care step taken after cleansing. Toning removes any remaining impurities on the skin. High quality toners are known to reduce inflammation, hydrate as well as moisturize the skin. Some even provide anti-irritant and anti-oxidant protection to skin. Toner is usually a clear liquid or gel applied to a cotton ball or pad which is then swept over the face and neck. Choose a toner formulated for the needs of your particular skin type and avoid any toners containing known irritants, SD alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. 3. Moisturize