”I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. “--J. B. Priestly

 Just as beginning a new year allows one the proverbial clean slate, so does a clean face allow a fresh start and opportunity to improve ones skin.

Daily facial cleansing helps to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin’s surface. It is the first step in improving your skins appearance, preventing blemishes, discoloration, inflammation, and general dullness. It is also the first step in nourishing skin and protecting the delicate structure that keeps skin functioning in a healthful manner.

When cleansing, it is essential that you choose a product that is gentle, natural, and devoid of harsh, irritating ingredients. Unfortunately, many cleansing products are designed with soaps and harsh surfactants that are alkaline (having a pH level above 7.0) and can strip the skin of its natural acid mantle, disrupting barrier function and making it more susceptible to infection and inflammation. Pay attention to how your skin feels. If your skin feels tight and dry after cleansing, you have probably overdone it. After cleansing you want skin to feel fresh and supple, not tight and dry.

Cleanse morning and night, using warm water (water that is too cold or too hot can harm skin). Gently wet your face with warm water, massage cleanser over skin in circular motions, rinse clean, and pat partially dry.

However, if you have naturally dry skin or are exposed to environmental factors that cause drying, washing with a cleanser twice per day may be too much. In this case, cleanse as described earlier at night (to remove makeup and buildup from the day) and simply rinse with warm water in the morning. Since my skin is dry, in the morning I love to use a toner to freshen skin and remove night cream products in lieu of a cleansing.

All Cleansers Are Not the Same

Now may be a good time to point out that you should never use the same soap for your face that you use for your body, even if you use a liquid cleanser for your body. If you are using a bar soap on your body (which you might want to rethink), don't let that soap get anywhere near your face. Facial cleansers are designed specifically for sensitive facial skin, and even the mildest body soap is too hard on the face. And remember, it is important to take the same care cleansing your body that you do your face!

This month’s Free and Easy Beauty Tip

"Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right." ~ Oprah Winfrey

To help you get it right this New Year I have some suggestions for a new, safe, non toxic beauty regimen. Next month learn to love the skin you’re in….its never too late. I will share with you some information to help you better understand the importance of a skin care regimen and what benefits it can bring to you.

Questions, comments, concerns? Would you like to take a quiz that tells what your total body toxic load is? Just want more info? Feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   www.aprioribeauty.com/ic/sharynyonkman

Till next time….Happy New Year. Cheers!