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.

The face is the front part of the human head. It encompasses the area from the forehead to the chin, and from ear to ear. Since the skin on the face is especially noticeable, people can provide the area with routine care to keep the skin healthy and looking its best.  

There are a variety of skin types. People may benefit from knowing the type of skin they have because a number of facial skin products (e.g., soaps, moisturizers, cosmetics) are designed for use on particular types of skin. Skin types include:

• Dry skin. Skin becomes dry when it lacks water. Dry skin is easily irritated. People with this type of skin frequently have dry hair, as well as small pores. Although dry skin is usually associated with a reduced risk of acne, it usually becomes more wrinkled with age than oily skin. Though some people only develop dry skin occasionally, others experience the condition continuously. Dry skin develops most often in the winter, when the combination of cold air outside and heated air inside causes low humidity. A person’s skin also becomes drier as they age.
  
  
• Oily skin. This type of skin contains excess amounts of oil (sebum). People with this type of skin often have oily hair, as well as large pores. Although they are more likely to develop acne, people with oily skin usually develop wrinkles later in life than those with dry skin. Heredity and hormones contribute to whether or not a person has oily skin.
  
  As with dryness, the oiliness of a person’s skin can vary from day to day. Factors such as the sun and the wind can contribute to oiliness. Weather can also cause oily skin. For example, hot and humid weather can contribute to perspiration. Sweating causes the skin to appear oilier than it would during colder weather.
  
  
• Balanced skin. Balanced, or “normal” skin, is neither oily nor dry. It is typically smooth with fine texture. People with this type of skin have few skin problems.
  
  
• Combination skin. This type of skin consists of oily areas, such as the on the forehead, nose and chin, and other areas that are balanced or dry.
  
  
• Sensitive skin. This type of skin is easily irritated. It may be oily or dry. People with sensitive skin may have allergic reactions to cosmetics and other skin products. Sensitive skin may also become dry after using a certain soap, or oily after using a certain type of lotion. These reactions are often triggered by additives, such as dyes and perfumes. 

Proper care of the facial skin involves gently washing the skin to remove dirt, cosmetics, sweat and oils, maintaining proper hydration, and avoiding products that cause irritation.

Because facial skin is typically exposed to the environment, it is susceptible to a variety of diseases, disorders, discolorations and growths. People with facial skin problems including severe acne, severe rashes and unusual growths (e.g., moles), should contact a dermatologist soon after the condition develops. 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 products are best for different types of skin. What works well for dry skin may not be recommended for people with oily skin. People with certain conditions (e.g., acne) may also benefit from certain types of soaps, moisturizers or other types of skin products.

Washing the face is a way to remove dirt, sweat and oil from the facial skin. It also helps remove makeup, dead skin cells and bacteria. In general, the face should be washed once in the morning and once in the evening. People should also wash their faces after engaging in an activity that causes a lot of perspiration, such as exercising or participating in sports.

People who have dry skin, or sensitive skin that is easily irritated, may benefit from washing the face only once a day. For those who are uncomfortable with washing their face only once, the face can be rinsed with cool water in the morning in addition to a thorough cleansing at night. Cleansing products that contain moisturizing ingredients are usually best for those with dry skin. Individuals with sensitive skin may benefit from using a non-soap cleanser. 

People with oily or acne-prone skin, and those that live in warm and humid environments, may benefit from washing their face three times a day. This will enable them to remove extra oil (sebum) on the skin. Those using soaps or other cleansing products specifically designed for oily skin may only need to wash their face twice a day. This is because, when compared to other products, these specialized products strip more oil away from the skin. They are also less likely to contain oil. Soaps containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are good options for people with oily skin.  

Regardless of a person’s skin type (e.g., oily, dry, sensitive), it is important to cleanse the face gently. Tips for properly washing the face include:

• Remove eye makeup, if used. People should use moisturizing cream and a soft sponge, cotton cloth or cotton ball to remove makeup from the eyes. This will prevent damaging the gentle tissue around the eyes. Petroleum jelly or another oil-based product may also be necessary to remove heavy or waterproof makeup.
  
  
• Avoid using hot water. Water that is too hot can dry out the skin. Lukewarm water should be used instead.
  
  
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps strip oil from the skin and often lack additives such as moisturizers or moisture retainers. As a result, they can cause the skin to dry out. People may benefit from avoiding products with lauryl sulfates and choosing products with sarcosinates, sulfosuccinates and cocoamphodiacetates. Products labeled as “mild” may also be a good choice.
  
  
• Avoid irritating additives. Additives such as perfumes and dyes can irritate sensitive skin. They may also trigger an allergic response. People with sensitive skin may benefit from avoiding products with irritating additives.
  
  
• Use the hands. Washing the face with a washcloth can be too rough on the skin, and in some cases, can induce acne. People should only use their fingertips to wash their face.
  
  
• Pat dry. After rinsing the face thoroughly, a soft cotton towel should be used to pat or blot, and not rub, the face dry.

Individuals may also benefit from occasionally exfoliating their facial skin. Exfoliators are creams that use abrasion to gently remove dead skin cells. Skin exfoliation is a good option for many people with oily or normal skin, but it is not usually recommended for those with dry or sensitive skin. 

Some people may also choose to follow their face washing with a toner or astringent. When applied to the face, these products remove oil and soap residue from the skin. They contain water, alcohol or witch hazel, propylene glycol and salicylic acid. As a result, they generally have a drying effect. While some people like the tight feeling these products produce, others find toners and astringents to be too drying.

People may also choose to use a moisturizer on their face to help hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. The specific type of moisturizer a person should use depends on a number of factors including the person’s skin type and age, as well as the presence of other skin disorders such as acne or wrinkles. Using a sunscreen-containing moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 is also an effective method of preventing sun damage and skin cancer.

Moisturizers come in a variety of forms (e.g., creams, lotions) and range in consistency from light to heavy. In general, lighter formulations are better choices for the face. Although people with aging skin, which tends to be dry, may benefit from the daily use of a heavier night cream in addition to a light-to-medium moisturizer during the day.

The labels on cleansers, moisturizers and other skin products often specify that the product is formulated for use on the face. In many cases, they also indicate the type of skin the product is intended for. Patients who are unsure about the types of products they should be using can consult a dermatologist for advice.

Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions regarding facial skin:

1. What type of skin do I have?
   
   
2. How often should I wash my face?
   
   
3. What type of soap is best for my skin type?
   
   
4. What is the best way to care for the skin on my face?
   
   
5. I often have an allergic reaction to facial products. Which ingredients should I avoid?
   
   
6. How will my facial skin change as I age?
   
   
7. Does my facial skin type put me at risk for acne or any other skin conditions?
   
   
8. For what changes in my facial skin should I consult a dermatologist?
   
   
9. How often should I moisturize my skin?
   
   
10. Are certain types of makeup better for my skin type than others? What is the best way to remove makeup?