Help your skin breathe

BEAUTY CORNER : Every month, Living features a column by our style and grooming expert Shahnaz Husain. Readers can send in their feedback to [e-mail]!

The skin loses moisture to the environment, when humidity is low or is lowered by artificial means through air conditioning and heating.

Exposure to the sun, over a period of time, also lowers the skin’s ability to retain moisture. 

Oily skin can also be short of moisture. This happens during the winter season, when there is superficial dryness of the outermost layer of the skin. You can identify it by the taut, uncomfortable feeling immediately after washing. Some areas of the skin may also acquire tiny white flakes. It is important to know that the skin absorbs moisture in the form of an emulsion of oil and water. It cannot absorb water or oil by itself. Therefore, the only way of dealing with the problem is to apply moisturisers in order to replenish the loss of moisture and keep the skin soft and moist.

During humid weather, an oily skin may not need moisturisers, since there is humidity in the atmosphere and the skin attracts moisture from the air.

Heavy moisturisers should not be applied on oily skins, as the pores can get clogged with oil and lead to blackheads, open pores and even pimples. 

During the winter season, a light moisturising lotion can be applied. You can add a drop or two of water before application, to provide a lighter coverage. The same goes for a sunscreen lotion. If you cannot find an oil-free sunscreen, add a drop of water for lighter coverage. Most sunscreens come with built-in moisturisers. 

To apply a moisturiser, first cleanse or wash the face. Apply the moisturiser and work it into the skin smoothly and gently, using your finger tips. Wipe the excess (if any) with tissues or a moist cotton wool. Apply this immediately after washing, cleansing or bathing, while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture. 

When the weather is warm and humid, a rose or lavender-based skin tonic may help to moisturise the skin. If you have oily skin, look for an “oil-free” day cream or moisturiser.

We recommend mixing a sandalwood cream with an oil-free day cream and applying it on the face, as a protective cream during the day. It not only keeps the skin moist, but protects it from pollution and skin eruptions. 

Honey is a powerful natural humectant.  A humectant helps to attract moisture to the skin. Honey helps to make the skin soft and smoothens out rough areas. Honey suits both oily and combination skin. For oily skin, mix honey with egg white or lemon juice and apply on the skin daily, washing it off after 20 minutes with plain water. Both lemon juice and egg white have cleansing effects, reducing oiliness, while honey softens and nourishes the skin. If you have a combination skin, apply honey by itself on the entire face, as it would suit both oily and dry areas. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with plain water. 

Aloe vera gel can also be applied. It is a powerful natural moisturiser and seals off loss of moisture. It also softens dead skin cells and helps in their removal, leaving the skin smoother and brighter. In fact, it helps the normal functions of the skin by improving its capacity to retain moisture. Many have aloe vera plants at home. The gel obtained from the plant itself is the leaf pulp found in the inner portion of the leaves. The aloe juice is found just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. However, while using it directly on the skin at home, one should wash the plant well and observe total hygiene. The aloe vera gel or juice may be applied on the face and then washed off with plain water after 20 minutes.

You can also mix 100 ml rose water with one teaspoon pure glycerin. Keep in an airtight bottle and use a little of this lotion to moisturise the skin. It moisturises the skin without making it oily. During hot and humid weather, keep the lotion in the fridge. Home remedies should be made in small quantities, as mentioned.