Photo from Modelinia

There is no such thing as perfect skin, and the flawless final images that appear in magazines, editorial advertisements and other media are the result of a talented crew and Photoshop. Having said this, most aspiring models seem to believe their careers depend on being perfect, especially when it comes to their skin. Models can breathe a sigh of relief when I tell them that what is commonly referred to as model skin means having healthy not perfect skin!

Agencies aren’t going to turn you down if you have a pimple, and if you’re a signed model, a bad skin day isn’t going to make them toss you to the curb. The fact of the matter is that no one is immune to pimples, not even supermodels, so the goal is to have a healthy-looking complexion, which comes down to your daily skincare regimen.

One of the most common skincare mistakes of teens, in particular, is treating their complexions for acne when, in fact, they don’t have this problem. A breakout doesn’t necessarily mean you have full-blown acne, and using acne products on non-acne skin will only do more harm due to the strong ingredients. In order to choose the suitable skincare products for you, it’s vital to know your skin type.

The most common skin types:

• Normal: doesn’t experience skin issues on a regular basis
• Combination: dry cheeks and an oily T-zone—the forehead, nose and chin
• Dry: experiences a lot of flaking, cracking, and discomfort due to a lack of moisture
• Oily: constant oiliness, shine and clogged pores, resulting in breakouts
• Sensitive: reacts negatively to most products and is easily inflamed
• Acne Prone: experiences regular breakouts that damage the surface of the skin

All teens should have these basic items:

• Cleanser
• Toner a.k.a. astringent (not mandatory but helpful for oily complexions)
• Moisturizer (with SPF)
• Exfoliant (one to two times a week)

With the exception of an exfoliant, the aforementioned skincare products should be used twice a day—morning and evening—on a daily basis. And anytime you buy a new product, make sure it’s clearly labeled for your skin type.

It’s equally important to make sunscreen your friend in the summer, and there are plenty of new formulas that are not messy white creams. Look for moisturizers, pressed powder, and other makeup items with SPF as well. It goes without saying that guys should also use moisturizers with SPF.

Following these simple tips, you’ll have healthy-looking skin that wows agencies and potential clients. A good daily skincare regimen is the key to a glowing complexion, which won’t require a major Photoshop retouching session!

What is your daily skincare regimen?