Shahnaz Husain
The secret of a good skin lies in the right kind of care. Seasonal changes influence the skin. The dry winter season can rob the skin of moisture and give you a taut, uncomfortable feeling. You may find that the skin has flaky patches. There is high moisture content in the cells of the skin. This can decrease, resulting in a dehydrated skin. You can prevent it with daily and appropriate care.
If the skin is a normal to dry type, it should be cleansed twice a day, with a cleansing cream or gel. A cleanser containing aloe vera would be good, as it helps the skin retain moisture and also moisturizes the skin. Apply the cleanser, with a light massage and wipe it off with moist cotton wool. After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin, using a rose-based skin tonic. Using cotton wool, wipe the skin and then pat it briskly. Toning removes the last stages of the cleanser and also stimulates circulation.
Normal to oily skins and combination skins actually feel and look better when the humidity is less. However, after washing the face with soap, there can be some superficial dryness. But, when moisturizers are applied, the skin becomes prone to pimples.This is a problem faced by oily skins. Use a cleansing lotion or light cleansing milk. Apply it on the face and wipe off with moist cotton wool. Then tone with rose water or a rose-based skin tonic. To deal with dryness and moisturize the skin, take 100 ml rose water and add one teaspoon pure glycerin. Mix well and keep in a bottle. Apply a little of this lotion whenever the skin feels dry. Avoid mixing home ingredients in large quantities, so that they keep well. You can even keep the bottle in the fridge. Use an oil-free day cream, or matte moisturizer, during the day.
For all skin types:
Eyes: Apply an outer-eye cream around the eyes and wipe it off after 10 minutes, with moist cotton wool. Do not massage the skin around the eyes, as the skin can get pulled or stretched. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and should be treated very gently.
Lips: The skin on the lips is also very thin and lacks sebaceous (oil producing) glands. That is why it can become dry and chaps easily. The skin may also start peeling. It is extremely important to remove lipstick from the lips every night, using a cleansing gel. Some lipsticks actually have a drying effect on the skin. After cleansing, apply an almond cream on the lips and leave it on all night. This would help to soften the skin. In fact, lip balms are also very helpful in healing the skin on the lips, preventing chapped lips and keeping them soft and smooth. As a home remedy, one can apply almond oil, or cream of milk. Daily care is very important.
Masks: Facial maks should also be part of the skin-care routine. Nowadays ready to use masks are available. Choose one according to the skin’s requirements. You can also mix a mask at home with wheat bran (choker), almond meal and one teaspoon each of honey, egg yolk and yogurt. For oily skin, add egg white. Mix together into a paste and apply on the skin. When it dries, wash it off. Use the mask once or twice a week. Facial masks help to remove dead cells and keep the skin in a good condition. The skin’s moisture-retention ability improves and it can also absorb skin-care products better. If the skin is very dry and sensitive, avoid masks.
Winter Home Remedies for skin care:
Cleanser for Dry Skin: To a tablespoon of cold milk add 2 drops of any vegetable oil (olive, or til or sunflower oil). Mix well. Dip cotton wool in it and use it to wipe the skin. You can make this in a larger quantity for 2 or 3 days, but keep it in the refrigerator.
Honey: Mix honey with one teaspoon orange juice and apply on the face, to make it soft and smooth. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Honey suits all skin types. For oily and acne-prone skin, mix one teaspoon honey with one teaspoon curd and a little turmeric. Wash it off with plenty of water after 20 minutes.
Cabbage and Carrot: Cabbage is rich in vitamins and minerals. Boil cabbage in enough water. Cool the liquid and use it to wash the face. Cabbage is rich in minerals and is good for all skin types. Then grate carrots and apply on the face for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with plain water. Carrot is rich in Vitamin A and good for winter skin problems.
For Dry Skin: Mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water. Applying mayonnaise or egg yolk on the skin also helps to relieve dryness.
Cleanser for Oily/Combination Skin:
Add lemon juice and rose water to ripe papaya pulp. Apply on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes.
Moisturiser for Oily and Combination Skin: To 100 ml rose water, add one teaspoon pure glycerin. Mix and shake well, keeping in a glass bottle in the fridge. Apply on the face to moisturize. This lotion can also be used on hands and feet.
Fruit Mask for all skin types:
Fruits like banana, apple, papaya and orange can be mixed together and applied on the face. They should be mashed or made into a pulp. Keep it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Papaya is rich in enzymes and helps to cleanse dead skin cells. Banana tightens the skin. Apple contains pectin and helps to cleanse the skin. Orange is rich in vitamin C. It restores the normal acid-alkaline balance. Suits all skin types.
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