Skin care products fall into four main categories. There are cleansers, toners, moisturizers and specialized treatments. Knowing which ones are right for you begins with understanding your specific skin type. However, regardless of skin type, there are certain "rules of the road" that everyone ought to know.

Things Your Mother Should Have Told You

Firstly, you should never, ever, no matter what, use plain soap to clean your face. Nor should you use shampoo or a one-size-fits-all body wash to wash your face. Soaps contain detergents which strip the skin of what's called the "acid mantle." The acid mantle is an oil-rich protective layer that locks moisture inside your skin, and prevents bacterial infection. Specially formulated facial cleansers, on the other hand, clean the skin of dirt and impurities, but leave the acid mantle intact. That said, facial cleansers can be found in "bar" form, if you're particularly fond of that kind of delivery system.

Secondly, unless your face can be likened to an oil slick or unless you're operating under specific dermatologist instructions, do not use alcohol-based astringents. Just like with soap, alcohol removes the acid mantle, leaving skin over-dry and vulnerable to infection. Toners, on the other hand, made from botanicals or other skin-nourishing ingredients (like purified water, rosewater or witch hazel) are excellent skin care products.

Always moisturize before and after blow-drying your hair. Heat ages skin. Dry air dries the skin. Applying moisturizers before and afterwards helps protect the skin and heal any damage which may have occurred. And that's not just a lot of hot air!