THE BENEFITS OF FACIAL MASSAGE

TRICKS TO HANDLE OILY SKIN Tanya Munshi
Is your skin oily? You need not fret. If you think people with dry or combination skin are better off, you’re mistaken. Having oily skin isn’t all that bad! In fact, oily skin has quite a few advantages. We tell you all about it, while arming you with useful tips on taking care of it. Why oily skin occurs Sebaceous glands produce a healthy lubricant called sebum. When these glands run on an overdrive, it results in oily skin. Did you know that sebum actually protects your skin from becoming excessively dry, brittle or cracked? That’s why on a positive note, oily skin is less prone to skin ageing. While oily skin is prone to pimples and blackheads, the good news is that such outbreaks can be controlled. Skin care for oily skin Use a soap-free face wash at least 2-3 times a day. Never over-use a face wash as that will disturb the natural sebum levels of your skin. Avoid cream-based cleansers as they will leave your skin oilier. Avoid alcohol-based astringents as that may leave your skin feeling stretched. Preferably use rose water or an alcohol free toner/astringent. | Exfoliating oily skin Use an exfoliating face wash with tea tree oil. Tree tea oil has an anti-septic property that prevents acne. Once a week, gently massage a scrub on your face to keep blackheads at bay. During a bath, wash your body gently with a soft loofah and a mild exfoliating body wash. More tips for oily skin Always bathe with lukewarm water. Hot or cold water will tamper with your skin texture. Half an hour before a shower, rub cucumber and lemon juice mixed in a ratio of 1:1 on your face. Add a few drops of eau de cologne to your bath water. The eau de cologne will act like a mild astringent thereby cleaning the pores and preventing pimples. Apply a clay/fruit mask once a week to keep the glow and not the shine on your face. Apply an oil-free moisturiser after a bath. Avoid any kind of body butter, mineral oil or petroleum based lotions/creams. Before stepping out, apply oil-free sunscreen lotion (SPF 15).
TEXERCISES FOR YOUR FACE! By Sunila Karir
Your face represents the person you are, and yet, while we treat our skin externally with creams and lotions, we forget that like the rest of our body, our face can do with some exercise too. Here are some exercises that will increase the blood circulation to your face, giving your skin that extra glow and extended youthfulness. 1. Let’s begin with your cheeks Smile as wide as you can. Take your three middle fingers, place them on your cheeks and pull down your cheeks at the same time. Tilt your head backwards while doing this. This exercise works wonderfully on the cheek muscles and helps in keeping them firm. 2. For the forehead Place your index fingers above your eyes and pull them down very gently; at the same time, attempt to raise your eyebrows. This exercise will work the muscles on your forehead making them firm. 3. Improve circulation Take a deep breath and exhale with some force, opening your mouth as wide as possible. Also, stick out your tongue while breathing out as far as you can. Keep your eyes open and look towards the ceiling. This exercise is excellent in improving the circulation in your face. 4. Beat that double chin The bane of an otherwise pretty face, a double chin can be effectively tackled with this exercise. Sit in a chair and tilt your head back to look at the ceiling with your lips closed. Now, purse your lips and count till twenty. Relax your head and bring it to the normal position. 5. For a smooth, sensuous neck Sit straight and tilt your head back towards the ceiling. Relax and close your lips. Move your lower lip over your top lip for as far as possible and maintain that position for 10 counts. Repeat this exercise 10 times. And finally, open your lips as wide as you can and feel the stretch on your lips, cheeks and all facial muscles. This exercise will increase circulation to your entire face, relieve stress as well as relax your face muscles.
SUFFERING FROM DRY, CHAPPED, WRINKLED SKIN?
Well, you are not the only one to suffer the vagaries of nature. Even the most fair-skinned amongst start wearing our age on our face after a certain time and it is not always easy to camouflage it behind a ` I accept smile'. Massaging the face is an easy and important part of beauty regime to keep wrinkles at bay. Besides softening the skin, another good effect of moisturizer massage is that it stimulates blood circulation and removes dead skin. Massage is also known to tighten certain skin tissues that tend to go flabby and give the face a worn out look.
A FEW MUST DOS FOR FACE MASSAGE
• Remove all traces of makeup, dirt and grime before massaging the face. • Never exert pressure on the face while massaging it. Massage should always be done with a light, feathery touch of fingers. • Fingers should move in a swift, light but firm way. • Fingers should move in an upward and outward manner towards the temple. • Facial massage should not last beyond 20-25 minutes. • Tie a head band and drape a towel below the shoulder before you start the facial massage. • Dry skins should be massaged with cold cream. Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice is ideal for oily skin.