The face is the front part of the human head, encompassing the area from the forehead to the chin, and from ear to ear. Providing this area with routine care is beneficial because it keeps the facial skin healthy and looking its best.

Proper care of the facial skin involves gently washing the skin to remove dirt, sweat, cosmetics and oils, maintaining proper hydration, and avoiding products that cause irritation. Soaps and moisturizers are skin care products commonly used on the face. People may benefit from knowing the type of skin they have because a number of facial skin products are designed for use on particular types of skin. Skin types include dry skin (skin lacking water), oily skin (skin with excess amounts of oil), balanced skin (skin that is neither oily nor dry), combination skin (skin consisting of oily areas as well as dry or balanced areas) and sensitive skin (skin that is easily irritated). People’s skin type may also dictate how often they should wash their face.

Proper facial skin care also involves seeking medical treatment from a dermatologist when skin problems develop, including acne, severe rashes and unusual growths. Dermatologists are physicians that specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, mouth, hair, nails and external genitalia. Most facial skin problems can be treated by a dermatologist with a minimum amount of pain and risk. Dermatologists can also recommend which facial care products are best for different types of skin.