JOIN USDry skin is caused because it is either oil or moisture-dry. A skin care regime should emphasise moisturising and nourishing routines in order to protect and revitalise the skin.
Here’s what’s homemade Cleanser — Use a heavy cleansing cream in the morning and night. Do not wash your skin, even with a mild soap.
Milk, to which a dash of turmeric has been added, makes a good home cleanser.
Toner — Use rose water as a toner after cleansing. Cucumber juice is also an effective toner for dry skin.
Moisturising and conditioning — For this type of skin, it is important to layer your skin with moisturisers and conditioners to trap in the moisture and oil. First, apply a few drops of face oil made of three drops of sandalwood oil, a tablespoon of almond oil and a teaspoon of castor oil. After five minutes, apply a moisturiser. Discontinue the castor oil in summer.
Facial scrub — Try a gentle facial scrub with oatmeal and almonds. Dampen your face with water and massage with the cream gently. Rinse off with warm water. Follow this routine twice a week.
Preparation of facial scrub — To a tablespoon of fresh cream, add one crushed almond and a pinch of oats mixed together. Follow these routine once a week.
Facial masks — Use something soothing Mix together a table spoon of milk powder, half a mashed banana, half a teaspoon of honey and enough yoghurt to make a paste. Apply this as a face mask to get rid of dirt. Other fruits that could be used are melon and avocado. Add a drop of sandalwood to the pack. Follow these routines once a week.
Apart from the above external care, you should eat a bowl of salad daily to which a tablespoon of salad oil has been added. Drink 8-10 glasses of water, juice or herb tea daily.
Cut down alcohol and tranquilisers
Protect yourself with a sun block when out in the sun and with lots of moisturisers and creams during winter.
Keep a bowl of water or a potted plant in the room to protect your skin from central heating and air conditioning.
Fear effects dry skin adversely. Try meditation to get in touch with your inner self.
What causes skin deterioration?
The main reason for the darkening of skin colour is the over-absorption of the natural-colouring pigment, melanin, by the topmost cell layer of the skin. A gradual decline in skin rejuvenation and improper sloughing of the skin surface also affects the complexion. The general deterioration in skin is very obvious with age. Diminish in blood circulation, loss of activity of oil and sweat glands and de-generation of body tissue causes dryness and wrinkles on the skin.
The aspects of skin complexion and texture that need maximum attention are skin colour, clarity and excessive dryness, roughness and oiliness respectively.
There are a host of potent, homemade recipes that can improve your complexion and enhance the texture of your skin.
Moisturising oily skin
Use an oatmeal and sandalwood scrub (1 teaspoon oatmeal, ¼ teaspoon of sandalwood powder) to cleanse the skin. Follow it with toning using a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Cut a few slices of raw potato and place them on your face and leave them on for 15 minutes. Use the recipe regularly for smooth and moist texture.
Moisturising dry skin
After cleansing the skin with a soft soap, tone it with rose water, apply a spoonful of glycerin to which a few drops of amla oil have been added. Rinse after 20 minutes. Use this moisturising preparation on the face for a soft and smooth texture.
Beat an egg and mix it with the juice of a lemon and apply this mask on the face and neck. After 30 minutes, rinse it off with clear water. Use this mask at least once a week.
Tips
Yoghurt is an ideal ingredient to massage the skin as it can tone up both dry and oily skin. A glass of lime juice has adequate Vitamin C to improve skin colour. White radish and carrot juice taken in plenty provide Vitamin A. Honey has Vitamin B complex which is really important for good skin colour. A diet of cucumber, onion, and fenugreek improves the complexion.