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Maintaining a healthy skin is important in today's image-conscious society. So how do you go about it?

Skin is the largest organ in our body and the body's first layer of protection against the environment. Besides good skin is the most important ingredient in physical beauty. Ask the supermodels if you don't think so!

All this makes proper skin care very important for a human being. Every day our environment inflicts a lot of damage on the skin -- from exposure to pollutants, sunlight, ultra violet rays, etc. And we add to that by using skin care products that are not very skin-friendly, through our ignorance.

Choosing the best skin care product should be a very important part of your skin care routine. This is easier said that done. There is no lack of skin care products in the market shelves though having a good skin is still a distant dream for many. Choosing the right skin care product from all those colorful products vying for your attention on the supermarket shelves is often a very difficult task. The flashy ads in magazines and billboards of supermodels endorsing various brands of skin care products isn't of much help either when you are trying to choose the best skin care product for you.

What is the ideal skin care routine? A healthy and glowing skin is the desired product of any skin care regime.

The first step towards healthy skin is a clean skin. Any skin care routine starts with a cleansing process. Washing your face after you've been out is important, as facial skin is most exposed to the dust and grime in the atmosphere. But do not over do it, as excessive use of soap and other cleansers may lead to the secretion of excess oil and cause eruptions or lesions on your face. This is especially so if you have oily skin.

Drinking plenty of water daily is good for your skin as it helps get rid of toxins in the body. A balanced diet with the right servings of fruits and vegetables is also essential for maintaining a healthy skin.

Acne is the most common skin care problem affecting people, especially teenagers. The medical name for this condition is 'Acne vulgaris.' Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the dead skin cells and the oil clogs the skin pores. Usually acne is seen to fade in the late 20s but some people, mostly women, face this problem even in the 40s and 50s.

The main cause of acne is the hormonal changes. Especially in teenagers, the sebaceous glands become overactive and secrete excess oil, which then blocks the pores in the skin. This, in turn, leads to inflammation and redness of the skin causing acne. The majority of those affected by acne only experience it in a mild form, but severe acne could lead to emotional and physical scarring.

Poor hygiene or increased stress levels are not, as is popularly believed, the cause of acne, though they may aggravate the problem. There are now excellent treatments available to treat acne and produce the desired results. Physicians treat acne based on the patient's skin characteristics and nature of lesions.

For proper skin care it is important that one understands one's skin type. There are mainly three skin types: dry, oily, and normal skin. When you choose skin care products, keep in mind that they should be chosen depending on your skin type.

Remember, first impression is always the best impression. And your skin plays a very important role in how others perceive you.