BASIC SKIN CARE

WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG THIS SUMMER?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are known to damage the skin. As the sun intensifies during the summer, it is more important than ever to prepare your skin, lips and hair to endure these dangerous sunrays. Here is a list of must-have items your bag needs to be loaded with this summer: 1. Water resistant sunscreen A water resistant sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher will help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied after swimming or perspiring. Typically, one ounce of sunscreen lotion is enough to cover exposed areas of the body properly. 2. Medicated lip balm with SPF For lips, the best protection against sun damage is a water resistant lip balm that keeps the lips moist and has an SPF of 15 percent or higher. 3. Wide-brimmed hat Aside from providing shade for your face, a wide-brimmed hat also can help protect hair from being damaged by the sun, which erodes the outer layer of hair and can cause coarse, wiry or brittle locks. Choose a comfortable-fitting hat with extra covering that drapes down the back of your neck, and sit in the shade whenever possible. 4. Spray-on sunscreen for hair Another way to protect the hair from sun damage is to use protective sprays specifically created for hair. Leave-in conditioners and sun sprays offer sun protection before, during and after outdoor exposure.
A GUIDE TO IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE!
There are 5 basic skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. Before buying your cosmetics, toiletries and other products, do make sure that it is suitable for your skin type. Here’s how to classify your skin correctly… NORMAL SKIN: It is smooth textured and evenly toned with tiny pores. This skin type has a balanced oil and water content. Feels smooth and velvety. The colour of the skin glows below the translucent surface. This skin type definitely needs care if it is to last. What you need to follow as a rule is regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing. OILY SKIN: This type of skin has over reactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, which makes the face shiny especially down the central panel-of your nose, forehead and chin. The pores of this skin type are enlarged making it prone to black-head, pimple and Acne. Oily skin needs special cleansing to keep the pores unclogged. Women with oily skin need to adopt a daily proper method of cleansing to prevent accumulation of dirt on the skin surface. DRY SKIN : This type of skin lacks both sebum and moisture. It looks fine textured, transparent, patchy and fragile. This type of skin flakes and chaps easily compared to other skin types. Tiny expression lines may be obvious. Signs of a dry skin are: (i) Flaky patches that disappear with regular moisturizing. (ii) Finely textured with the pores not being visible. (iii) Tiny expression lines that do not disappear. (iv) The skin of neck and cheeks looks creepy. To prevent further drying up of the skin what is needed is a good, healthy balanced diet, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, 7-8 glasses of water, eight hours of sleep, exercise in fresh air and daily beauty regime. Avoid harsh soaps to prevent loss of natural oils and exposure to sun and air-conditioners which rob the water content of the skin. Contributed by: Women Ftness (http://www.womenfitness.net), a complete online guide for women to achieve optimum health and fitness. Headed by Ms Namita Nayyar, Women Fitness offers latest information on diet, exercise, beauty, motivation and other women-related issues." “COMBINATION SKIN: It is very common and requires separate treatment for each area. It is oily down the central panel and dry on the cheeks. The forehead, nose and chin need extra attention as they may be prone to clusters of blackheads and enlarged pores. Remember that oil is not moisture, and regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing has to be done with the area being dealt in mind. Clean and tone up the oily patch and moisturize the dry patch with extra care. Guidelines for caring a Combination Skin SENSITIVE SKIN: This type of skin reacts externally and internally to changes in life. Can be both oily and dry, it can be easily disturbed by skin-care products and cosmetics. It tends to go blotchy and have broken veins at the same time, it might show a flushed or reddened look or might even itch. You might need to consult a Dermatologist in serious cases, in other instances proper care and attention can help you to survive with this kind of skin type. Apart from these major skin types, there might be other exaggerated versions of major skin types, like dehydrated skin, acne-blemished skin, ageing and hydrated skin.
QUICK TIPS FOR CLEANSING YOUR SKIN
One of the most important factors of skin care is skin cleansing. Because dirt, pollution, residual makeup, etc. can cause havoc to the skin leading to skin ailments and even hastening of the aging process. Here's what you need to do, obvious may be, but not practiced as it should be: • Always wash your hands clean first. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria to your face. • Start with your hairline first, as hairstyling products attract dirt, and then sweep cleanser over face and lips and down the neck to beyond where you apply foundation. • After you've applied your cleanser, gently massage it in with the balls of your fingers and leave it on for a minute or so to allow make-up to melt away. Then use a soft cotton ball to wipe away dirt, pollution, and cosmetic build-up without tugging at the skin. • Then wash face clean with water and a good quality face wash so that all traces of dirt is gone and skin becomes perfectly clean.
SKIN TONING
Toning is necessary for all skin types and should be made a part of daily skin care routine. Toning is refreshing, improves blood circulation and adds a healthy glow to the skin. • Soak cotton wool pads in skin tonic and wipe face in outward and upward strokes. • Each movement should end at the temples. Apply gentle pressure at the temples. • While applying toner on the forehead, start from the centre and go outward on either side, again ending at the temples. • Apply toner on chin in circular motions. • Tone the neck too, stroking downwards from the chin. • Tone around the eyes, but very lightly. Making skin tonic at home is simple and easy. All you require is rosewater and witch-hazel. Rosewater is one of the best-known skin tonics and is easily available. Witch-hazel is available at a chemist or homeopathy shop. Toners vary according to skin types: For normal skin Mix ¾ cup rosewater with ¼ cup witch-hazel and store in a jar. For very greasy skin Mix equal quantities of rosewater and witch-hazel and store in a jar. For dry skin Mix ¾ cup rosewater, ¼ cup witch-hazel and ½ teaspoon glycerin or honey and store in a jar.
USE A FOAMING BATH TO TONE YOUR SKIN
• Bathing foams with plant extracts like mint and rosemary are ideal for maintaining your skin’s firmness. • They tone the skin by providing nutrients and improving blood circulation. • For instance, balsam (which contains pine extracts) improves breathing by improving oxygen intake. • And finally remember that toning foam baths are also great energy boosters.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SKIN THIS WINTER?
Winter’s here and it’s time to watch out for dry skin, coarse hair, shriveled cuticles and rough hands…Caring for skin becomes a daunting task during winters. Skin turns ultra sensitive and tends to give in to the pressures of pollution and seasonal imbalances rather easily. A few simple tricks will however, ensure that skin stays supple and pretty pink, here is how: • Use cleansing milk to dislodge dirt and grime especially during winters and if you suffer from dry skin. • Use a generous helping of moisturizer for a smooth, clean complexion. However do not apply moisturizer while stepping out of the house, that way you will only attract more dust, the best time to dab on the magic option is in the evening, after a warm bath. • Your face will thank you for the invigorating cold cream and skin tonic massage you give it just before hitting the sack. • Limit the use of make-up during winter months, as skin tends to burst into pimples. To give body skin a glow, add a spoonful of olive oil to a bucket of hot water for your bath. This gives a glow to the skin. If the skin is very dry massage with warm olive oil fifteen minutes prior to bath.