It is really important for you to be able to identify your skin type.This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly.Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type
Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following typesry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin
To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild face wash.Then, after 30 minutes, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin
If the tissue shows no trace of oil, then you have dry skin
Dry skin looks rough and is prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles
If your skin is oily in some parts but dry in others, then you have combination skin
Normal skin usually looks smooth and is not prone to break outs
Oily skin feels oily to touch and tends to shine
Oily skin is also prone to blackheads and pimples.A sensitive skin needs special care, as it may be sensitive to some ingredients found in popular cosmetics
Those with sensitive skin should always use beauty aids that are hypoallergenic to protect their skin from allergic reactions.A regular skin care programme, adapted to the needs of your particular skin type, goes a long way in keeping your skin radiant and problem free. Dry Skin
Dry skin needs extra care, as it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles
This is especially true during the winter months when it feels even drier and may feel too taut or may even flake
A few measures help alleviate dryness and keep your skin supple and, at the same time, guard against premature aging
Always wash your face with a mild, soap-free face wash.Never use soap, as that would further strip your skin of natural oil
Always use a moisturiser during the day
Use upward,circular motion to lightly massage the moisturiser into your face.Make sure not to pull or tug your skin. 3. You should consider using a night cream before going to bed at night.It is advisable to use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids(or AHA's, as they're commonly known)
AHA's are derived from sources such as milk, fruit and sugar-cane.These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin while they moisturise the newly revealed layers.They greatly benefit complexions that look dull, dry or flaky and they give your skin a beautiful glow
Both AHA and Vitamin C help reduce fine lines and other signs of aging.Thus, you may get good results quickly by using a moisturiser or cream that contains Vitamin C during the day and an AHA
based night cream.Most known brands have moisturisers and creams that contain these
5. If you have dry skin that tends to flake off, looks red and has some itchy patches that scab, consult your doctor to rule out eczema.Eczema, also known as atopic dermititis, is generally considered to be a hereditary condition that can occur throughout the year.Other causes of eczema can be fabrics such as wool, some skin-care products or detergents etc
Your doctor may prescribe a cream to soothe the redness and irritation.Non-irriating fabrics such as cotton also help avoid flare-ups
Many people suffer from weather-related dry skin. If the weather in the winter months is normally drier and this tends to dehydrate your skin, regular use of moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated and supple. Home Remedies For Dry Skin * Add 1/2 tsp of rose water to 1 tsp of honey and gently apply to the face
Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water
Honey moisturises and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use. * Massaging you face regularly with almond oil or olive oil works wonders for dry skin
Take 1/4 of an apple. Peel off the skin and grate. Cool in the refrigerator. Apply it on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Apple helps soothe dry skin and gives it a pleasant glow
Take 1 tbsp of cream. Stir lightly till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply to face and neck before bath
Cream helps remove suntan and makes your skin silky and supple Normal Skin- Nomal skin is usually trouble-free and needs simple care to keep it healthy and glowing
Normal skin also tolerates most popular lotions and creams as well.A regular skin-care program combined with a balanced, healthy diet helps keep normal skin stay supple and young.Regular care for normal skin should include a few simple steps
Cleansing, toning, and moisturising daily keeps normal skin in great shape for a long time.It is advisable to use natural products on your skin
It's easy to take trouble-free skin for granted.But, if neglected, it will begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles
So always remember to nourish and moisturise your skin
Creams and lotions that contain vitamin A, C and E help improve the texture of your skin, making it smoother and softer.Moreover, these vitamins counter the effects of free radicals.
Even if your skin is normal, you still have to give it regular care.Your skin, like any other skin type, is constantly assaulted by free radicals.Free radicles are molecules formed in the skin when it is exposed to the environment, pollution, or sunlight. Home Remedies For Normal Skin - Mash 1/4 of a ripe banana
Apply on the face, taking care to avoid the areas under the eye.Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off with cool water
Banana is excellent to do away with dead skin that makes your skin look lifeless.Regular use of banana gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow
Combination Skin - Skin that is oily in some parts but dry or normal in others is considered as combination skin.The oily skin is concentrated on the T-zone, which is across the foreheat, down the nose and chin.Whenever you wash your face, you may find that some areas of your face feel tight after washing; and that these parts look dull or feel dry and rough whereas the T-zone looks shiny, feels oily to touch and is prone to pimples and blackheads.Combination skin needs special attention because the dry parts of your face need to be considered, whereas the oily parts need to be kept clean to avoid breakouts.Follow these simple tips each day and see what a difference they make to your skin
Cleanse your entire face twice a day.Always use a mild cleanser to gently remove dirt, grime and make-up from your face
The dry areas of your face need to be moisturised to prevent the formation of premature wrinkles.Use a good moisturiser on the dry parts of your face, and if possible, use an oil-free moisturiser on your T-zone
If you use make-up, try and use oil-free/shine control type of make-up on the T-zone.These products are easily available in the market today and help absorb all the excess oil secretion and control the shine. 4. If you have a combination skin, your skin will greatly benefit from AHA and Vitamin C moisturisers and creams.Products that contain AHA tend to normalise the skin. Home Remedies For Combination Skin
Always keep a small bottle of rose water in the refrigerator. Saturate a bit of clean cotton with cool rose water and dab liberally on your face. Enjoy the fresh feeling
Take 3-4 tbsp of ripe, deseeded papaya pulp.Mash well and cool in the refrigerator
Apply on face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with cool water.Papaya helps normalise combination or oily skin and gives it a beautiful healthy glow
Oily Skin- Skin that looks oily, feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples is known as oily skin.It is imperative to keep oily skin clean and to control the excess secretion of oil.On the positive side, oily skin tends to age more gradually as compared to other skin types, as natural oil protects oily skin from fine lines and wrinkles..A simple but regular skin-care programme coupled with a well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin and minimises skin break-outs
It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime.Always use a mild cleanser
They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples
Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this will remove all excess oil.It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent
Instead, it is asvisable to use natural products.Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face
If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples
Pimples, if squeezed, may leave permanent scars
There are a number of effective pimple creams available in the market today
Consult a dermatologist to know which one is best suited for you
If possible, get your face professionally cleansed once a month
Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day
Water helps flush out toxins from the body
Avoid fried foods and chocolates
Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and green leafy vegetables daily
Home Remedies For Oily Skin
Keep a bowl of water in the fridge and splash this cold water on your face 3-4 times a day.
Cold water will not only leave you feeling refreshed but will also tighten the pores
Neem leaves are excellent for pimples
Crush washed neem leaves to form a paste and apply this to the affected parts
Leave it on for at least an hour
.Neem will help the pimples dry up faster
For marks and blemishes left behind by pimples use calamine lotion.Just dab some lotion on the blemishes at bedtime and they will gradually fade away
A great pack for oily skin is the chilled cucumber.Finely grate cucumber or blend a cucumber in the blender to form a paste
Chill in the fridge.Apply it on the face and relax for 15 minutes
Wash off with cold water.For best results, repeat twice a week, on a clean,
