Skin Care

Skin Types

Normal skin: This skin type is neither oily nor dry. Beautiful as it is, it needs care, if it is to last. People with normal skin start showing signs of age and wrinkling sooner than others. Daily cleansing, toning and nourishing is the adequate care for normal skin.

Oily skin: In this kind of skin, oil producing glands are overactive. They produces more oil than is needed, which oozes up, giving the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. This kind of skin also suffers from blackheads, pimples & acne. Oily skin needs special cleansing to keep the pores unclogged.

Dry skin: Majority of the people have dry skin. Your skin lacks both sebum and moisture. It looks fine textured, transparent, patchy and fragile. There are many factors which affect dry skin and make them even ore dry. For instance, washing with soap & water not only removes grime but also the natural oils that protect the skin. Exposure to the sun, air- conditioners and heaters also take their toll. Dry skin always needs moisturiser which increases the water content of the outer layer of the skin, giving it a soft, moist look.

Combination skin: This type of skin has a greasy area, while the rest is dry or normal. The forehead, nose and chin, i.e. the T-zone, may be greasy and the rest dry. Combination skin are very common and are one of the most frequently misunderstood and mistreated skins. This type of skin requires separate treatments for each area. However both the dry and greasy area needs moisturising.

Rules of Skin Care

Cleansing: It is necessary to clean skin and the pores to remove dirt, dust, excess oil, salt, and waste coming within and coming from outside the body. Wash your face and other skin of body with plenty of water to get it cleaned.

Toning: Skin toner should be utilized to revitalize the skin and to get it a proper complexion. Toning improves blood circulation in the skin and helps skin tissues to remain tight and firm.

Nourishing: It is very important to maintain the natural oil of the skin to make the skin lively. Different vitamin skin cream could be used to nourish the skin. A lot of nourishing cream could also be used.

Moisturizing: All living things require moisture. Skin gets dry and looses its gloss. To give it the real look moisture should be applied from outside in the form of cream or lotion. It is better to use moisture just after bath. As someone gets older he / she requires more moisturizing.

Taking care of your skin

If you want a good skin, the most important thing is to take care of it daily. Make it your habit. Your diet also plays an important part, so does getting adequate sleep and exercise.
If you like your skin to be young forever, follow these basic rules:

1. Cleanse your skin twice a day with products suited to your skin type.
2. See a beauty therapist regularly after the age of 25
3. Learn to treat the skin according to its type.
4. Avoid sun.
5. Avoid smoking.
6. Drink 8 glasses of water daily.
7. Use a face mask once a week.
8. Exercise regularly.
9. Remember that a regular care & routine pays you back.
10. Neglect accelerates ageing more than anything else.

The drink of life

Add more water to your life

1. Drink at least 8 glass of water a day
2. Mix the fruit juice of your choice with mineral water for a healthy soda.
3. Is there a waterfall you can get under, or a brook to swim in? Don’t pass up the opportunity.Great for blood circulation.
4. Sinking into a bathtub has a tranquilizing effect on the mind. Throw in mineral salts if you can.
5. Use water as mouth freshener along with a sprig of mint, honey and lime.
6. Make a compress for dry, flaky, irritated skin using water. Use gauze dipped in tolerably cold water. Apply on affected area and leave on for 10 minutes. Instant relief.
7. Sebastian Keipp, who wrote My Water Cure, recommends using water as a healing power to cure disease. "Walk barefoot on grass or immerse your legs in cold water up to the knees. This increases resistance to illness."
8. With water, remember, more is always better.

 

Daily care for dry skin in winter

1. First thing on your routine should be cleansing. Most of us use some kind of make-up on our skin, so cleansing is very essential. A cactus cleanser with a lemon base is the best. Cactus is ideal for rehydrating the skin. The cleanser must be massaged gently, into the skin, paying particular attention to the creases of the nose under the chin, neck and ear lobes.
2. Second step is toning of the skin, toning removes the last stages of cleanser and dissolves dirt. It is good if you use skin toning lotion. A skin tonic, with mint and honey base would be excellent for delicate & parched skin. Skin tonic braces the skin and tightens the pores, especially under the eyes and on the jaw line.
3. Third step is nourishing the skin, if you want to prevent it from dryness. Every night, a nourishing cream with preferably an orange base, should be used. If you feelthat your skin is very dry, use a second application. A nourishing cream with vitamin E would work wonders.
4. Supplying moisture to the skin by use of suitable cosmetic aids is the only way to prevent the skin from drying up.

Tips for Smooth Skin

Home beauty recipes and remedies have been around for centuries. Remarkable remedies were discovered purely out of necessity. Over a period of time, many home remedies have proven to be effective and natural, therefore healthy! Making your own beauty products costs a fraction of what you pay for over-the-counter preparations.
Keep in mind any allergies or sensitivity you may have to some ingredients; such as glycerin, lemons, strawberries, eggs, etc. Check with your doctor or dermatologist if you are not sure you can use certain ingredients.

Pamper your skin with these face packs

1. This is an excellent remedy to get rid of those ugly acne scars. Blend the sandalwood paste and rose water and apply on the scars. Keep it overnight and then wash it off with cold water the next day. This does wonders to your skin!
2. Lemons also have exfoliating properties: rub half a lemon on your face with a hint of sugar granules to remove dead cells and lighten a tan. You can also rub on hyper-pigmented areas like elbows to lighten them. Mix with a little cucumber juice to make a natural astringent. Condition your hair with the juice of one lemon mixed with a glass of lukewarm water or get rid of dandruff by rubbing your scalp with hot oil and lemon juice.

Ways to achieve a Smooth Skin

1. Mash the bananas along with milk and then apply on your face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This makes the skin smooth and supple.
2. Blend the egg white and honey well and then apply on the face. This makes your skin smooth and helps to reduce wrinkles.
3. Blend turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. It removes the tan and helps to reduce the facial hair. Scrub it off with a good face scrub and then wash with cold water. You can also keep it overnight.
4. Mix oatmeal along with curds and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps to remove the tan and lightens the skin.
5. Apply raw sliced potato on the face. Reduces blemishes and other scars.
6. Cucumber juice is an excellent astringent. Applying cucumber juice on the face tightens the pores. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
7. Applying turmeric powder along with limejuice removes the tan. Limejuice is a natural bleach.
8. Dried orange peels mixed with curds help reduce blemishes and scars. Wash it off after 15 minutes with cold water.
9. Honey makes the skin glow. It makes the skin soft and smooth. Helps reduce wrinkles.
10. Citrus face packs and sandalwood face packs are excellent for oily skin.
11. Rubbing ice cubes on the face tightens the pores and increases blood circulation.

Lemon as a beauty aid

Start your morning with a combination of half a lemon of juice and an orange, squeezed in hot water, sweetened with honey.
For weight watchers & those on a reducing programme, lemon is excellent. Since it helps in depigmentation of the skin, it is useful for those suffering from blemishing and blotchy skin.

Lemon as a hand lotion: Mix lemon juice to rose water and rub on hands to get smooth hands. Rub granulated sugar and the juice of a lemon together till the sugar is dissolved. Then rinse it off. Do this regularly for a month and see the difference.

Lemon as bleach: rub lemon halves on elbows, heels and toes and then rinse off.