The skin is the largest organ of the human body, a miraculous, flexible creation that we often mistreat and abuse and then berate for looking rundown and defeated. We all could stand to take better care of our skin, especially the skin of our face where it can be the thinnest, most exposed and the most prone to the worst of our mistreatment.

This is also the first part of us that we present to others, so it pays to make a good first impression with it. Do not abuse your facial skin and then expect to hide your cruelty with makeup! Be kind to your skin, and it will reward you with glowing, soft, good health.

Sometimes, we have to start over in not only our beauty routines, but in our whole way of thinking with our skin, and for that it is best to go back to the basics. We should start with a clean slate, so to speak and the best way to do that is to get rid of as many dead skin cells as possible, clearing away debris, waste and excess oil in the process and exposing the new, healthy skin cells beneath.

One of the fastest ways to do this is with an exfoliating facial peel, which is a far deeper process than a regular facial mask. Because it is more intensive, it should only be done at the recommended intervals, commonly every other month or more. (If you have sensitive skin, it is more likely that you will be told to hold off for three months in between.)

Be wary of the self-peel kits that are sold to be used at home especially if you are prone to infection, allergic reaction or have never used one before. Do the spot test to check for reaction if you insist on using them and realize that if you do cause a nasty reaction the resulting medical care will be far more expensive than having the professional peel in the first place.

Most peels are chemical based and will cause some sensitivity, redness and possibly tingling afterward. These are all normal side effects, and should not interfere with day-to-day activities but you should definitely keep that in mind when planning your appointment.

Do not schedule a facial peel for the night of a big date, for instance. Your after care instructions should be adhered to faithfully to get the most benefit of your facial peel- this will include avoiding sunlight or wearing plenty of sunscreen if you cannot, not wearing makeup for the day and applying recommended products afterward. Remember, your skin is not only your biggest organ; it is also very precious, so treat it well.