Prepare for the glow show

BEAUTY CORNER

It is important to have a bed-time beauty care routine for your skin so that you don’t go to bed with layers of caked make-up, runny kaajal and smudged streaks of mascara. A cleansing routine also helps remove pollutants, dirt and impurities that are deposited on the skin during the day. Repair and restoration of the body, as well as cell-renewal, take place when we sleep, which is why the skin should be cleansed.

If you have dry skin, it should also be nourished at night. Nourishing is more important during winter as it helps to replace emollients and improve moisture retention.  

Whatever be the type or texture of your skin, it requires thorough cleansing at night. After a long day’s work, the skin surface is covered in a film of dirt, stale sweat, oil deposits, make-up and pollutants. They irritants not only upset the normal moisture balance of the skin, but also hamper its natural functions.

Bed-time pampering provides special care to particular areas like the neck, hands and area around the eyes.

Proper and regular care of skin can delay the appearance of lines and wrinkles too. A good skincare routine keeps the skin and facial muscles firm and toned, strengthening supportive tissues and preserving the skin’s elasticity and resilience.

During the day, the skin requires protection from UV rays and pollutants that cause damage. This can be done by using sunscreens, day creams, moisturisers and protective creams, depending on the skin type and condition. Day-time care also involves cleansing and toning, but protection must be supreme. 

Here are some do’s and don’ts for a bed- time cleansing routine.

*Products for cleansing should be selected according to skin type and individual needs. For example, if the skin is dry, a rehydrant cleansing gel should be used. For oily or combination skin, a cleansing lotion or light cleansing milk may be used.

*To treat acne, pimples or skin prone to rashes, it is better to use a medicated cleanser. After cleansing, the skin should be wiped with a rose-based skin tonic, using cotton wool.

*If the skin is dry, nourish and massage it with a nourishing cream. Apply it on the face and massage with outward and upward movements. Wipe off excess cream with damp cotton wool before going to bed. Apply the cream on the neck and massage it with both hands, starting from the chin and work downwards. Pressure should not be applied when bringing the hands back to the chin, but only as you massage downwards. This helps delay the formation of lines on the neck and also reduces a double chin. 

*For all skin types, an under-eye cream should be applied around the eyes and wiped off with moist cotton wool after 15 minutes. 

*Hands may be massaged with a hand cream, especially around the nails, so that the cuticles remain soft. 

*Apply a medicated lotion on acne/ pimples and leave it on overnight. If there are pimple marks, apply an anti-blemish cream only on the marks and leave it on overnight.

Don’t

*Use oily cleansers and nourishing/night creams if you have oily skin.

*Leave cream on around eyes at night while you sleep. It can lead to puffiness around the eyes.

*Scrub your face harshly. This can bruise your skin and leave marks on your face.

I also recommend that you pamper your feet at night. After a long day, rest your feet and massage them with oil. Here’s  how you can make your own massage oil.

Cooling massage oil: Mix together 100 ml of olive oil, 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 2 drops of rosemary essential oil and 2drops of khus/ rose essential oil. Preserve this in an air-tight container. Use this mix as a foot massage cream. This treatment will keep your feet soft.