A Peach andCream Complexion Indian women have rightly accorded skin-care has a pre-dominate role in beauty culture for ages. From time immemorial, the face has been synonymous with the concept of beauty.
Bone structure is the factual determinant of symmetry of features – the eyes, lips and skin contributing to the other aspect of facial beauty. A clever make-up can hide defects but a bad skin always shows through. A person who is not ‘beautiful in the traditional sense will, nevertheless, attract a lot of attention if she can maintain a healthy glowing complexion. The skin is exposed to the external elements far more than any part of the body, so special care should be taken of it.
For Peaches - And – Cream Complexion: *It is very important to use scientifically balanced creams for each skin type. For example, a dry skin could be due to lack of certain kinds of esterified fatty acids (EFA). In this case, creams containing EFAs should be used. ‘Oily and acne-prone skins require liquid moisturizers, which gently reduce the oil gland activity without drying up the entire skin. *Dry and older skins require very effective humectants to increase the capacity of the skin to retain moisture. Several scientifically accepted methods can be used to enhance cell renewal. *Paraffin facials superficially remove the epidermal cells. *Chemicals like the alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) help in deeper cell renewal. *AHAs not only act on the epidermis but are also anti-aging, by promoting new collagen growth. The face skin faithfully mirrors the physical and mental condition of the owner.
“Bestowed care, it blooms, neglected, it complains and lets the world know about it.” A smooth complexion is within everybody’s reach, provided she is willing to spend time on care and attention for skin-care program. To start on a program of skin care, it is necessary to understand the basic skin types.
Skin is usually of three types- dry, oily and combined 9or mixed type). Dry Skin is characterized by a fine texture. It is prone to wrinkles even at an early age and chaps easily. Under-active sebaceous (oil) glands under the surface of the skin, causes this type of dryness. Oily skin is shiny and has enlarged pores. It is very prone to pimples and blackheads because overactive oil glands keep it oily than is normally necessary for moisturizing the skin. A Combined type skin is usually dry in parts and oily in other areas, like the forehead and more.
For the basic routine in skin-care, a normal skin has to be achieved.
A dry skin requires more moisture, both externally and from within the body.
Increased fat consumption in the form of milk, butter, curd and cream in the daily diet serves as a moisturizer.
Before applying make-up, the face should be covered with a cream.
Face is the mirror of mind. Make it glow through proper care.
A few tips: The excessive oiliness (seborrhea) on the skin should not be attempted to be removed by frequent washing with harsh soaps. This only increases oiliness in the long run and sometimes damages the skin surface. *Besan mixed with turmeric powder serves the dual purpose of a cleanser and an antiseptic. *An astringent like Rose water could be used to tone up the skin in the oily areas.
Cleanliness: For any type of skin it is necessary to be meticulous about cleanliness. Though cleaning at night should form part of the daily routine.
Facials: A major feature in the skin-care routine is facials. After the age of 25, facials should be taken once a month and after 30, fortnightly. These days due to stress and pollution, skin-care program starts at an early age (at 16-18). The complete routine of massaging, moisturizing, steaming, cleansing and application of a face mask serves to refresh, rejuvenate, tone up and tighten the skin. (Steaming opens up the skin-pores thus letting the dirt come out). Facials are best undertaken in a beauty parlor from a professional but if one learns the rules carefully one can do it at home as well. Weekly application of a face pack is also highly beneficial it should be kept in mind that a face pack must always be applied to a thoroughly cleaned face. Certain packs help oily skins better than dry skin and some are suitable for any type.
Dry Skin: A paste of besan, carrot juice and honey, applied for 20mts. on the face, is very effective.
Oily skin: 1. Lemon juice is the base for most packs. Besides drying the excess oil, it also serves as a whitener. 2. A paste of mashed papaya, honey and lemon juice forms an effective pack. 3. Finely grated apple is marvelous toner. 4. Orange peels boiled and strained, yield a very effective toning liquid.
A few Simple Exercises to keep the facial muscles supple and the skin healthy are quick, yet they work wonders. Exer: 1. Standing straight, let the head form a large circle 5 times cross-wise and 5 times anti-cross-wise. Exer: 2. Sit comfortably on the floor. Holding the shoulders straight, slowly bring the head foreward towards the chest, now slowly tilt backwards as far as you can. Repeat 8 times. Exer:3. Sit in a chair and let your head and shoulder dangle loosely between your knees. Hold on for a few minutes. A brisk walk (striding) increases circulation and livens the skin. Exer:4. Stand straight with feet as far apart as possible. Let your body dangle forward from your waist. Sway from side to side like a tree being swayed in the wind. Pull yourself up slowly. A brisk walk (striding) increases circulation and livens the skin.
"Sudden Dryness” Skin Tautness Skin Tautness – it’s a kind-of tight, stretched feeling. This kind of skin problem is more likely to be triggered by an abrupt change in temperature, such as coming into the coolness of air – conditioned office when it isa humid, wet day – or, when it is hot and sticky outside. Depending on your age, too, tautness and reddening of the facial skin can also be caused by hormonal changed within the body. In acute cases consult your doctor. You can protect your skin against dehydration and changes in temperature by regular applying a good reliable moisturizer which is close in nature to your skin’s own natural fluids. Crème is very effective in this way. Beauty Boosters: *Blackheads and whiteheads are the starting points for bigger infected pimples, which can leave ugly scars and blemishes. These can be removed using a vacuum apparatus. Do not prick them with sharp instruments as these infect them, worsening the situation. *Dry body brushing wakes up the circulation and loosens dead skin cells. *Avoid extremes of temperature. Don’t head straight for the fire when you come in from the cold and vice versa. *Soften hands with a body scrub and massage with a few drops of oil. Depending on your age, too, tautness and reddening of the facial skin can also be caused by hormonal changed within the body. In acute cases consult your doctor. You can protect your skin against dehydration and changes in temperature by regular applying a good reliable moisturizer which is close in nature to your skin’s own natural fluids. Crème is very effective in this way. *Orange Peel and Sandalwood with Fuller’s Earth Pack: Make a mixture of 1tsp sandalwood powder, 1tsp orange peel powder and ½tsp of fuller’s earth. Mix these ingredients mixture in rose water to form a paste. Apply this on the face and leave it for 20mts. Wash it off to get a more fair, toned and tightened skin. *You can dry and powder the orange peels and mix a little sandal wood powder. Make a paste with a little water. Apply this paste on your face and hands. Keep for 20-25mts. Wash it and you have soft and improved complexion.
Glowing kin with a Clay Mash : Delhi Times (input by Ismat Tahseen) Clay Mask Clay treatment for skin has been used from time immoral. Renouned worldwide beauties of old eras like Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti used the clay mask for their skin. It is considered as an important medicinal and cosmetic tool, thus Clay is now becoming a popular rediscovered treatment for several skincare conditions. Dr. Rashmi Shetty says “Good Cosmetic Clays condition and nourish your skin by removing the dead cells and extracting the extra oils and impurities from the surface of the skin. One should apply a clay mask regularly as it can impart a natural glow to your face.” There is a mask for every skin – for anti-ageing to dealing with dryness, treating pimples and controlling acne, cleansing, toning and firming the skin.
Clay Mask is easily made at home. You can store it in a jar or give it to someone as a gift. For all skin Types: This is a skin soothing mask. Ingredients: ½C white clay 2tbsp oats, grounded 1tbsp Milk or buttermilk powder 1½tsp honey Method: Mix 2tsp clay with an equal amount of water or any other liquid (herb tea, or Aloe Vera juice). To apply: Spread evenly over your face. Leave it on for about 10mts. then gently remove the mask with warm water and a wash cloth. Apply a covered jar or bag in your bathroom. Kinds of Clay: Owing to their mineral content, clay comes in a variety of colors. They also differ in texture and have different properties. 1. Bentonite Clay: (also called Fuller’s Earth) is the most useful of all clays. It has absorbing properties and can be used as exfoliate as it draws out impurities from the skin. Fuller’s Earth clay is sedimentary clay and bleaching agent and is used as a skin lightening agent. 2. French Green Clay and Rhassoul Clay, absorbs excess sebum and are apt for oily skin. They contain magnesium oxide that cleanses the skin and absorbs the fat from it, which is good as this extra oil may lead to acne marks and blemishes. 3. Red Clay is a powerhouse, of iron-oxide, that brightens the skin, and renews cells. The essential nutrients contained in the clay have a toning effect on the skin. For Normal Skin- People with normal skin can combine Fuller’s earth with Vitamin E oil and apply it on the skin. For Oily Skin: Combine Fuller’s Earth with calamine lotion and apply it all over the face and neck. Can also be used this on the neck. For Acne – prone skin: Needs more attention so here’s a mask that will help keep it clean. Combine green clay (it’s great for drawing out impurities) and about 3tbsp of Aloe Vera gel in a bowl. Add some orange peel to this as well as an essential oil (can use lavender or tea tree varieties) that suits your skin. Spread over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area and lips. Keep it on for 15mts. Rinse and dry the face. For a Glow: Mix a little clay and water and add a few drops of essential oil to this (use rosemary for oily skin). Clean the face first, then leave this mask on the face for 5mts. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can also add this mixture to your bathtub. Where To Apply – How often? Don’t apply clay everywhere- restrict it to the regions of the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin –avoid eyes and lips
How often can one use a clay mask? People with oily skin can use clay masks for 2-4 days in a week or so. Wash the mask off with the plain water. Clay mask does not cause any type of skin problems. They are actually used to cure acne. Precautions: 1. Use a clay mask with plain water, if clay masks are used with milk, it may lead to skin problems. 2. The texture of clay mask is impervious and if rubbed too much into the skin, it can lead to redness.
In Pranayama Kapalbharti is best for your beauty. When you do this pranayama, you increase the oxygen supply and blood circulation in your body. It’s referred as face-shin pranayama, as it gets you glowing, radiant, and wrinkle free skin.