Skin Care Basics

Since we were kids, we've been washing our faces with soap and water like our mothers told us (or at least we were supposed to be doing it that way). And when we were young, we didn't spend too much time worrying about the aging process and on how to protect against dryness and wrinkles. But now we're older and smarter and have a greater awareness of such things..or are we? So here are a few Lara Beauty basics on how to effectively cleanse and care for the delicate skin on your face and neck so that the world will see you the way you want to be seen.clean, refreshed, revitalized and naturally beautiful. While it's not a difficult process, following these simple steps will help you get the most out of our remarkable skin care system, your prescription for authentic beauty.

Step 1: Cleanse

While bars of soap are fine for cleaning the hands and the body, they have the potential to dry out the skin on the face. Our Conditioning Cleanser contains a carefully balanced mixture that effectively removes excess oil, dirt, and make-up.

It is important not to over-cleanse the skin. Use Lara Beauty Conditioning Cleanser no more than twice daily. However, if you choose to cleanse only once daily, then nighttime is preferred, using just warm water in the morning prior to exfoliating or toning.

• Remove all make-up with a good make-up remover.
• Rinse your face and neck with lukewarm water to unclog the pores and to loosen any dirt and residual make-up on the skin surface. A common mistake is using water that is either too hot or too cold. Extreme water temperatures can damage the tiny blood vessels under the skin surface.
• Apply a dime-sized amount of Conditioning Cleanser to the palm of your hand and add a small amount of water to create a gentle foaming action.
• Gently massage into the skin on the face and neck using small circular motions, making sure you hit the common trouble spots such as the chin, forehead and where the nose meets the cheeks.
• Rinse again thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently pat the skin dry.
• Follow with Lara Beauty Polishing Microderm Abrasion and/or Revitalizing Toner.

Step 2: Exfoliate

While this step is critical for proper skin care, it is often skipped or forgotten. There are three ways to exfoliate the skin. Chemical peels are generally fast-acting and effective yet are expensive and time-intensive procedures and certainly not without side effects. Retinoids, such as vitamin A acid, are also very effective, expensive and typically require a physician's prescription and monitoring. Finally, there are inexpensive microdermabrasion scrubs that can be used in the comfort of your own bathroom to gently remove the upper layer of dead skin cells that might otherwise render your complexion flat or dull. Regular use of Lara Beauty Polishing Microderm Abrasion two to three times a week will promote that naturally healthy glow you remember from youth.

• After cleansing but before toning, apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) directly to each side of the face.
• Using your fingertips or a damp face cloth (which may enhance the exfoliating action), massage in circular motions all areas of the face and neck, taking care to avoid the eyes and not to over-scrub.
  • For additional exfoliation, allow the cream to remain on the skin for one to two minutes before rinsing.
• Rinse the face and neck well with warm water and pat the skin dry.
• Follow immediately with Lara Beauty's Revitalizing Toner and Anti-Aging Daily Therapy

Step 3: Tone

Using a good skin toner is essential to preparing the skin for optimal absorption of moisturizers. Lara Beauty Revitalizing Toner removes dead skin cells and any residual components from the cleansing process, and unlike alcohol-based or astringent toners, it will not leave your skin feeling taut and stretched. Instead, our Revitalizing Toner is wonderfully refreshing and is the perfect prep for make-up application. Most importantly, it is precisely formulated to restore the normal pH (acid/base) balance to the skin and to prevent future breakouts or skin eruptions from environmental stressors.

• Apply the skin toner to a cotton ball or cosmetic cleaning pad.
• Sweep it gently across your face. The cotton wool should come out relatively clean when toning. If it is not clean it indicates the cleansing has not been done properly.
• Do not rinse after use. Allow to air-dry.

Step 4: Moisturize

Moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin, but that's not all they do. They can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. Along with carefully selected vitamins, minerals and plant extracts, Lara Beauty Anti-Aging Daily Therapy consists of a scientifically balanced mixture of de-ionized water, humectants (absorb moisture from the air and hold it in the outermost layer of skin), emollients (fill in the spaces between skin cells, helping to replace lipids and thus smoothing and lubricating rough skin), and preservatives (prevent bacterial contamination in water-and-oil based products).

• Lara Beauty Anti-Aging Daily Therapy is most effective after cleansing, toning and exfoliating.
• Using small, circular motions, gently massage the cream into all areas of the face and neck until it is absorbed.
• To maintain a soft and supple complexion, use Lara Beauty Anti-Aging Daily Therapy morning and evening.