<p>Moisture is most important to the skin. It helps to keep the skin soft, smooth and supple. Dryness of the skin is caused by under-activity of the sebaceous, or oil-producing glands of the skin. Due to lack of oil, the skin’s ability to hold moisture is also hampered. </p>.<p>The main requirement of the outer layer of the skin is moisture. Habitual lack of it causes the dead cells of the outer layer of the skin to become dry and shrivel up. The edges curl up, leading to the characteristic roughness of dry skins. </p>.<p>Scaling of the skin can also occur, giving rise to tiny, white flakes. Atmospheric conditions, exposure to the sun, air-conditioning and heating, soaps and chlorinated water, make-up, cosmetics and air pollution can aggravate the problem, by causing further moisture loss. Therefore, one’s daily care routine should be adjusted according to requirements. <br /><br />It is also 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 daily, to replenish the loss and keep the skin soft and moist. Dry skin also needs daily nourishment with the application of rich creams, so that the skin receives emollients and is able to hold moisture. The skin also needs to be protected from further moisture loss. This can be done with the use of sunscreens and oil creams. The removal of creams should be done with moist cotton wool. <br /><br />Moisturisers are available in both liquid and cream form. During the dry season, for normal to dry skin, it is better to use a creamy moisturiser, applying it after cleansing and toning. It should also be applied under make-up. A liquid moisturiser can be used at night, after cleansing and nourishing the skin. <br /><br />Oily skin can hold moisture better than normal or dry skin. But, oily skin can also be short of moisture. This happens during the dry winter season, when there is a 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. During humid weather, an oily skin may not need moisture, since there is humidity in the atmosphere and the skin attracts moisture from the air. <br /><br />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 dry season, a light moisturising lotion should be applied. At other times, 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. <br /><br />How to apply a moisturiser <br /><br />First cleanse or wash the face. Apply moisturiser on the face and work it into the skin smoothly and gently, using your fingertips. Wipe off the excess (if any) with tissues or cotton wool. <br /><br />Tips<br /><br />Oily skins also need moisture. Use a light, liquid moisturiser. Apply moisturiser immediately after washing, cleansing or bathing, while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture.<br />Apply moisturiser before applying foundation. This prevents moisture loss.<br /><br />Honey<br /><br />Honey is a powerful natural humectant. A humectant helps to attract moisture to the skin. It has several beneficial properties and is suited to all skin types. It helps make the skin soft and smoothens out rough areas. It also helps improve the skin’s ability to hold moisture. It soothes the skin in cases of skin-sensitivity caused by dryness. It helps to brighten sallow skins. Apply honey on the skin and wash it off with water after 15 minutes. <br /><br />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 outer layer. If you have a combination skin, apply honey by itself on the entire face, as it would suit both oily and dry areas. <br /><br />Moisturising plays an important protective role in skin care, by sealing in natural moisture and also by preventing moisture depletion.</p>
<p>Moisture is most important to the skin. It helps to keep the skin soft, smooth and supple. Dryness of the skin is caused by under-activity of the sebaceous, or oil-producing glands of the skin. Due to lack of oil, the skin’s ability to hold moisture is also hampered. </p>.<p>The main requirement of the outer layer of the skin is moisture. Habitual lack of it causes the dead cells of the outer layer of the skin to become dry and shrivel up. The edges curl up, leading to the characteristic roughness of dry skins. </p>.<p>Scaling of the skin can also occur, giving rise to tiny, white flakes. Atmospheric conditions, exposure to the sun, air-conditioning and heating, soaps and chlorinated water, make-up, cosmetics and air pollution can aggravate the problem, by causing further moisture loss. Therefore, one’s daily care routine should be adjusted according to requirements. <br /><br />It is also 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 daily, to replenish the loss and keep the skin soft and moist. Dry skin also needs daily nourishment with the application of rich creams, so that the skin receives emollients and is able to hold moisture. The skin also needs to be protected from further moisture loss. This can be done with the use of sunscreens and oil creams. The removal of creams should be done with moist cotton wool. <br /><br />Moisturisers are available in both liquid and cream form. During the dry season, for normal to dry skin, it is better to use a creamy moisturiser, applying it after cleansing and toning. It should also be applied under make-up. A liquid moisturiser can be used at night, after cleansing and nourishing the skin. <br /><br />Oily skin can hold moisture better than normal or dry skin. But, oily skin can also be short of moisture. This happens during the dry winter season, when there is a 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. During humid weather, an oily skin may not need moisture, since there is humidity in the atmosphere and the skin attracts moisture from the air. <br /><br />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 dry season, a light moisturising lotion should be applied. At other times, 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. <br /><br />How to apply a moisturiser <br /><br />First cleanse or wash the face. Apply moisturiser on the face and work it into the skin smoothly and gently, using your fingertips. Wipe off the excess (if any) with tissues or cotton wool. <br /><br />Tips<br /><br />Oily skins also need moisture. Use a light, liquid moisturiser. Apply moisturiser immediately after washing, cleansing or bathing, while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture.<br />Apply moisturiser before applying foundation. This prevents moisture loss.<br /><br />Honey<br /><br />Honey is a powerful natural humectant. A humectant helps to attract moisture to the skin. It has several beneficial properties and is suited to all skin types. It helps make the skin soft and smoothens out rough areas. It also helps improve the skin’s ability to hold moisture. It soothes the skin in cases of skin-sensitivity caused by dryness. It helps to brighten sallow skins. Apply honey on the skin and wash it off with water after 15 minutes. <br /><br />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 outer layer. If you have a combination skin, apply honey by itself on the entire face, as it would suit both oily and dry areas. <br /><br />Moisturising plays an important protective role in skin care, by sealing in natural moisture and also by preventing moisture depletion.</p>
