State-of-the-art skin care involves using a system in which the products work together synergistically to cleanse, nourish, moisturize and protect the skin. The following is an outline of such a system to maximize the benefits of various products currently available.

A cream cleanser is an essential first step, especially for those with oily skin and women who wear makeup. Cream cleansers can also be used to remove eye makeup and for the excessive oil, perspiration and chemical sunscreens that come into play during the summer months.

Makeup left on overnight can seep into pores, cogging them and congesting the skin. It requires oil to dissolve oil. Cream cleansers often include ingredients such as sunflower and sweet almond oils to help emulsify the dirt and pore-clogging debris.

A cleanser would have to be pretty heavy-duty to perfectly cleanse the skin in one step and would most likely strip the skin and dry it out in the process. Hence, the second step involves the use of a foaming or lathering type of cleanser to remove any leftover debris, including any remaining traces of the cream cleanser, without stripping or drying the skin.

Cleansing removes the outer layer of dead cells, stale oil, perspiration and soot from the skins' surface. If this layer is not removed, the skin looks dry and flaky. The oil glands can become blocked and this results in whiteheads and pimples, even in people with normally dry skin. The cream cleanser begins the cleansing process and the lathering or foaming cleanser is the finishing touch. Lathering cleansers often include substances like chamomile and allantoin to promote healing and soothing.

The skin must be perfectly cleaned in order to receive the benefits of further steps in the system. Thorough cleansing will allow for the penetration of vital nourishing products which are the third step in the system. These products are often ingredient-rich serums or enriched conditioners. The oil in these moisturizers not only seals in the skins' moisture supply, they also act as a barrier between one's complexion and the elements such as wind, cold, low humidity and so on. A good moisturizer will protect against forming permanent expression lines. These products usually contain nutrients and vitamins to nourish, smooth and soften the skin.

The next step in the system involves the use of an excellent day cream to protect the skin against free radicals and offer mild exfoliation. This step actually increases the effectiveness of using the above-mentioned serums and conditioners. As aging occurs, the skin begins to appear dull, unevenly toned and loses its ability to reflect light. The epidermis' production of new cells begins to decline and sun damage thins living epidermis over time from twenty cells deep to two cells deep. Exfoliation is vital to remove dead skin cells, causing the skin to think it needs to rejuvenate and produce new cells, which has the effect of making the skin look younger. Ingredients such as citric acid and urea will aid in exfoliation.

An ingredient-rich night cream is of utmost importance since it is at night, while the body is at rest and not being assaulted by the stresses, pollution and other environmental factors that the skin is exposed to all day long, that the skin cells have the opportunity to repair and rejuvenate. Products that include such innovative ingredients like hyaluronic acid which assists in holding moisture in the skin (in can hold 300 times its own weight in water), DMAE which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and grapeseed extract which protects against damaging free radicals, are an excellent choice here.

Firming lifts, masks and other treatment products are the final step and can be used 2-3 times per week. Good treatment products will have a cumulative effect on the skin so that when used regularly they will leave the skin looking plump and moisturized. Ingredients to look for here include essential fatty acids which can dramatically reduce the body's production of inflammatory compounds and thiotic acid (alpha lipoic acid) which is an anti-oxidant with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

The fat-soluble portion of alpha lipoic acid is of tremendous benefit to the skin. Substances that are water soluble do not penetrate the skin very well, but fat soluble molecules do penetrate. DMAE acts as a penetration enhancer and enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of alpha lipoic acid. These ingredients can definitely be beneficial in skin treatment regimes.

Generally, hat is good for the inside of the body is also good for the outside of the body. The presence of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, beta carotene, DMAE and Omega fatty acids most certainly will boost the effectiveness and performance of skin care products. Another excellent ingredient to look for is aloe vera, a natural moisturizer that can also serve as a delivery system for the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the various products in the skin care system.