Basic cleansing and care

When creating your skincare routine, it's important to remember that the basics transcend race. All skin types require cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. And you can tailor these important skincare steps to fit your skin's unique needs.

• Cleansing. For normal, dry or sensitive skin, wash your face daily using a gentle cleanser.

  • Sensitive skin. Scent- and fragrance-free, NeoStrata Facial Cleanser — PHA 4 won't irritate skin or cause dryness.

  • Oily and acne-prone skin. Cleanse twice a day with a face wash designed to address blemishes. Discovery Health advises against using acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, which can aggravate sensitive skin and, unlike when used on Caucasian skin, can cause brown spots to appear. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser washes away oil, dirt and makeup without irritating the skin.

• Moisturizing. To keep skin soft and supple, a daily moisturizer is a must for every skin type.

  • Dry skin. Maintain hydration with Sundari Lavender Moisturizer for Dry Skin.

  • Oily skin. Lightweight lotions are best for oily complexions. Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizerfeatures antioxidants to soothe skin and minimize shine.

• Sun protection. Though individuals with darker skin naturally have some sun protection — about SPF 4 for typical Asian coloring — this doesn't guarantee protection from UV rays. You're still at risk for sun damage. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays, to prevent environmental aging and skin cancer. Also, avoid excess sun exposure, tanning beds and sunbathing — leading culprits of premature aging and skin cancer.

  • For the face. Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 boasts titanium dioxide and shea butter for broad-spectrum sun protection for your face.

  • For the body. PCA SKIN pHaze 30 Perfecting Body Hydrator SPF 30 is ideal for all-over protection. To effectively shield skin from the sun, simply slather on about 20 minutes before sun exposure.

  • For the lips. Don't forget to protect your precious pout with an SPF lip balm. The lips are particularly vulnerable to UV damage. Philosophy Kiss Me SPF 20 provides sun protection and shine.

Anti-aging agenda

Due to its texture and color, Asian skin has unique aging concerns. They include:

• Wrinkles. Asians tend to have fewer wrinkles than Caucasians and wrinkles typically happen "10 to 20 years later than in people with lighter skin," notes The Orange County Register. When they do appear, they tend to follow facial expressions and aren't as apparent when the face is in a neutral position.

  • Product pick. RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream diminishes expression lines (the ones common to Asian women) and even deep wrinkles.

• Pigment changes. Although less prone to wrinkles, Asian skin is more vulnerable to pigment changes. Hyperpigmentation may start to appear as early as the 30s, and become more noticeable by middle-age. Asian women are more likely than men to have dark spots.

  • Product pick. Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel helps to target spots or pigment changes.

  • Seborrheic keratosis. These wart-like growths are associated with sun exposure and are often seen on people over the age of 60, especially on Asian skin. Unlike wrinkles and pigment changes, seborrheic keratoses occur more often in men than women.

    The only option for treating seborrheic keratoses is to have them professionally removed with cryotherapy (the use of extreme cold) or a laser.

    • Product pick. While there are no products to prevent or treat this condition, your doctor will give you directions on caring for the wound once the growths are removed. You'll need to clean the area regularly and apply an ointment to prevent infection. Brave Solider Antiseptic Healing Ointment is a natural choice that features tea tree oil, one of nature's strongest antiseptics.

  • Under-eye puffiness. Because of the unique bone structure of Asian individuals, under-eye puffiness may be especially noticeable. Inflammation and water retention are culprits, writes dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D. in The Perricone Prescription. He advises using topical alpha lipoic acid to combat under-eye puffiness.

    • Product pick. You can take care of unsightly under-eye puffiness as you sleep. Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream features alpha lipoic acid.

  Asian-inspired treatments

  A hallmark of Asian health and beauty treatments is natural ingredients, harvested from plants, herbs and flowers unique to the Asian landscape. In particular, these include:

  • Ginseng. This age-old remedy contains phyto-chemicals and antioxidants to fight damage and support tissue growth, writes Carly Young for LifeScript. Boiled ginseng root can be easily made into a tea.

    • Product pick. Molton Brown Invigorating Suma Ginseng Body Lotion contains Brazilian suma ginseng to stimulate your senses while promoting healthy skin.

  • Pearls. Not only do they make beautiful jewelry, but pearls are also an Asian secret. One Chinese empress used to crush pearls (using jade to apply it) to keep her skin looking luminous, writes Young.

    • Product pick. With high levels of vital amino acids, ground pearl powder may be able to restore skin. Jenju Pearl Cream includes crushed pearl powder to hydrate and protect the skin.

  • Papaya enzymes. Rich with anti-aging properties, papaya enzymes may promote softer, smoother skin.

    • Product pick. Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask boasts papaya juice and pineapple enzymes for a radiant, soft complexion.

  See also:

  A No-Sweat Summer Beauty Routine

  How to Approach Skincare for Tweens

  Acne During Pregnancy: Tips for Clear Skin

  GABA

  Understanding and Treating Rosacea