Contrary to popular belief, skincare does consist of more than just “water, soap, moisturizer” (and some people do not even bother with the moisturizer part!). And a lot of people always wonder where their favorite (usually Asian) stars get that pristine perfect clear white skin that seems so unachievable to us “normal people.” Well, time to let you in on a little secret: they don’t just “wash” their faces. In fact, most people employ a three-step skincare regimen. In actuality, you may want to try a five step regimen instead.

1) Wash your face with water and a facial cleanser. It is not advised to use anything that you may use on the rest of your body; so your bar soaps and other body washes are out. Make sure you buy a facial cleanser instead. It is recommended to use a thicker ‘cream’ cleanser in the winter (because your skin is more prone to drying out) and a lighter ‘gel-like’ cleanser in the summer (you definitely want a lighter cleanser for the summer because it’s more refreshing). Either way, try it at your own pacing.

Recommended: Noxema (cream-like, more suited for winter); Nivea Refreshing Gel Cleanser (summer); Neutrogena Deep Clean (you can get it in cream and exfoliant); Cetaphil (dermatologist recommended).

2) Toner. A lot of women forget this very important item in their facial cleansing processes. Toner not only cleans off all the remaining residue from your facial cleanser but also cleans and polishes your skin and closes your pores after being opened by the hot water and cleanser. It also preps your skin for further moisturizing (allowing your skin to be more susceptible to your subsequent moisturizer).

Recommended: Nivea Moisturizing Toner; L’Oreal’s Refreshing Toner.

3) Massage. This is the one step that is usually lost among most women these days. You don’t have to do it every day, but at least a few times a week would be good. Most beauty shops also sell facial massage creams and gels for your use. It’s quite self-explanatory. The massages help circulate the blood, which carries away impurities and helps keep your skin clear and healthy-looking. Try massaging from anywhere between 5-10 minutes a day and see if you can feel a difference in your skin.

4) Masks/masques. They come in various varieties, such as gel, paper, creams, and that funky green goop that everyone sees on television, but they do serve their purpose. Masques help reach down deep into the skin to carry away impurities, and leave your skin refreshed and clean looking. Again, like massages, these do not need to be done every day (massages can be, but they are quite time consuming); in fact, I would recommend that masques not be done every day. If overdone, they can dry out your skin, and make it too dependent on moisturizers. Once or twice a week should be fine.

5) Emulsion/ Essence/Moisturizer These three things are essentially the same thing, but with drastic differences. Emulsion is a typically “Asian” lotion, and is basically just a very light and very basic moisturizer. It is usually the first layer of moisturizer that you put on your skin when you begin to moisturize. If you can’t find an ‘emulsion’ in your local beauty shop, chemist, drug store, or pharmacy, don’t worry about it. It’s usually not necessary, and most women are fine without it.

Essence is next. Essence may vary according to brand, but usually is a very strong type of moisturizer — mine comes in a gel form — and is to be used sparsely. Again, it’s a bit harder to find unless you go to dedicated beauty/cosmetic shops and/or high-end department stores (you may have to spend a few more dollars than you’d like to be able to find essence and/or emulsions). Typically, essence need only be used a few times a week, and typically one wants to let it absorb into the skin for at least a full five minutes before proceeding with the top layer of moisturizer.

Moisturizers. They come in all sorts of shapes and forms. Find one that suits you well. Instead of buying the cutesy fruity smelling kinds, it may be better if you stick to a brand that can be easily found in a local shop, and doesn’t have a strong smell. Fragrances may irritate the skin in ways you cannot imagine at all. Like shampoo, it is all right to shop around and try different moisturizers. Unlike your favorite food or sweater, your skin reacts different all the time. You may find a moisturizer that works well with you for now, but after you’re done using it, and you purchase it again, you may find that it isn’t so good anymore after all. Not to say that there is anything wrong with brand loyalty, but new types of moisturizers are coming out all the time. Important rules of thumb to keep in mind when you’re browsing for that right facial moisturizer: SPF 15 or higher. Even in the dead of winter, it’s always beneficial to have some kind of sun protection factor. Low-fragrance. You may not think you have sensitive skin, but always err on the side of caution, and stay away from anything that may be too smelly. Take a look at the skin type. Do you have oily skin? Normal skin? Combination skin? Find a moisturizer that suits that. Dry skins do well with cream-like moisturizers. Normal skin can take any kind of moisturizer as long as used with vigilance. Combination skin is more closer to oily skin, so you may want a light lotion instead of a thick creamy moisturizer.

Recommended brands: Eucerin (dermatologist recommended); Aveeno (oatmeal based and very light and rich); Missha (Korean brand).

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Tips: Start taking care of your skin when you’re young and make it a habit. You will benefit from it later in the future, I can assure you. Always moisturize; don’t skimp simply because you’re too tired or too lazy. Once it’s a habit, it should be easy enough, but it is SO important to make it a habit in the first place. Ask your siblings or mother what brands they use and try them out a bit. Chances are, your skin type and pH will be most similar to them, and you may be successful with the brands they have as well. Steer clear of anything that may have “lightening” or “bleaching” properties. Including anything that boasts ‘alphahydroxy.’ I know, from experience, that alphahydroxy only “seems” like it works because it’s basically burning away at your skin. That funny ‘tingling’ sensation? Not a good thing. Drink plenty of water; a lot of huge issues with skin have always been concerned with hydration and not enough of it. Plenty of water will help your skin look firmer AND help you lose some weight! *more on that later!*