A Complete Skin Care Article

2007-10-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

Skin Types - Caring for normal skin type, dry skin type, oily skin type, combination skin type, sensitive skin type

The type of skin you have depends on the activity of the subaceous, or oil producing glands.

Normal Skin: Balanced Skin. It is neither oily nor dry. It has a translucent, soft, smooth texture and a healthy glow.

Dry Skin: The subaceous glands are less active. The skin lacks both oil and moisture. It is fine textured and fragile as it is vulnerable to changes to temperature and humidity. It flakes easily and develops early lines and wrinkles. See Dry Skin

Oily Skin: The subaceous glands are over active. The skin has a greasy shine. The texture is coarse due to enlarged pores. It is prone to clogged pores, blackheads, pimples and acne. See Oily Skin

Sensitive Skin: Sensitive skin can be easily irritated. Typical reactions are itching, burning, chafing and stinging. After a wash a wash it feels dry and itchy in places. By midday there are flaky patches and some redness. Occasionally break out in spots. See Sensitive Skin

Combination Skin: The skin has a greasy area, while surrounding areas are dry. The T-zone consists of forehead, nose and chin are usually greasy. The cheeks and area around eyes are dry. This is the most common skin type.

Apart from these, there are other types which are exagerrated versions of the main types, they have been dealt with separately under skin problems, ageing skin, and so on.

Identify your skin Type

By answering the questions below you can find out what type of skin you have. Just tick the answer-a, b, c or d-that closely applies to your skin.

1. After cleansing, how does your skin feel?

(a) Tight and rough

(b) Smooth and supple

(c) Slightly oily

(d) Oily in some areas, tight in others.

2. How often does your skin break out in spots?

(a) Almost never

(b) Rarely

(c) Often

(d) Only in the T -Zone (across the forehead and down the nose and chin).

3. Which of the following best describes your skin texture?

(a) Smooth and transparent

(b) Firm and even

(c) Slightly rough and uneven

(d) A mixture of the above.

4. How does your skin look during the day?

(a) Flaky and chapped

(b) Clean and fresh-looking

(c) Shiny

(d) Shiny in the T-Zone

Now add up how many a's, b's, c's and d's you scored. If the majority of your answers are a's, our skin is dry. If the majority of your answers are b's, your skin is normal.

If the majority of your answers are c's, your skin is oily. If the majority of your answers are d's your skin is combination.

Some nice Skin Booster homemade masks for all types of skin

Orange yogurt mask: A cool and relaxin mask. If you are feeling sluggish, this is the perfect mask for you, as its like a pick me up only in 5 mins. The yogurt will cleanse the skin and the orange is full of vitamin C and AHA's.
Ingredients - 1 tsp of plain yogurt and juice of 1/4th of an orange.
Instructions - Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face and neck. Leave on for 5 mins then wash off with warm water and pat dry.

There is enough at home to pamper yourself! Make the most.

Basic Skin care

Skin care is an art in itself and this art can be learned by anyone. All you need is a proper guidance and proper understanding of the basic skin care tips. We have tried to throw some light on the finer points of basic skin care.

First step is to determine your skin type.

There are no magic potions that can make your spots and pimples disappear overnight. There is no elixir of youth that can turn back the hands of the clock and give you back the firm, unlined skin of your youth. But there is a way by which you can rejuvinate your skin and bring it back to good health.

Dermatologists, cosmetologists and beauty therapists all agree on the fact that taking regular care of skin is the only way of avoiding problems and delaying the ageing process. So cleanse, tone, moisturize and nourish your skin everyday. Within a week you will be amazed to see the results. The skin has tremendous powers of self-regeneration when properly cared for and it is never too late to start.

Cleansing

Whatever the texture or type of your skin, it requires thorough cleansing. If we could have a look at uncleaned skin through a magnifying glass, we would realise the absolute necessity of a proper cleansing routine. Before it is cleansed, the skin surface is covered by a film of dirt, stale sweat, oil deposits, stale make-up and other pollutants. All these are potent skin irritants. They not only upset the normal balance of the skin, but also hamper its natural functions.

Cleanse your skin, according to your skin type. Splash your face with water then massage with a gentle facial wash and work it up to a lather for about 30 seconds. Take the opportunity to lightly massage your skin, as this will boost the supply of blood to the surface of your skin - which means a rosier complexion. Rinse away with clear water untill every soapy trace has been removed from your skin. Then pat your skin with a soft towel to absorb residual water from the surface of your skin.

Toning

Toning is necessary for all skin types. It follows immediately after cleansing and helps to refresh the skin. A good way of toning the skin is to keep cotton wool pads soaking in a bowl of skin tonic in the refridgerator. After cleansing the skin, wipe with the skin toning pads and then pad the skin briskly. This stimulates the blood circulation to the surface. Gentle stroking movements can also be followed.

Moisturizing

The most important part of the skin care routine is moisturizing. Smooth your skin with moisturizing lotions. Dot onto your face, then massage in with your fingertips with light upwards strokes. This will leave a protective film on the skin, allowing make-up to be aeasily applied and ensuring there is a balanced moisture content.

Nourishing

Nourishing is a way of supplying emollients to the skin so that it can hold moisture better and performs its other functions. Use the nourishment cream with Vitamin A, which is of utmost importance to the skin helping to relieve dryness and maintain skin elasticity and the nourishing cream with Vitamin E (anti-oxidant) which helps in minimizing cross linking damage.

Tips for skin care

Never rub your cheeks against anything nor let them be pressed or pinched.
Never try to pluck out your pimples. If you do so they will leave an ugly mark on the skin.
Try to be always happy and cheerful. In fact it is medically advisable to laugh daily for about 10 minutes not only for your cheek's up-keep, but even for your normal health.
Don't use any artificial coloring material like rouge etc. to make your cheeks acquire rosy hue. The best way to do so is to mix a few fresh rose leaves in raw milk and crush them to a paste form. Then add a little honey to the paste and apply on your cheeks every morning for 5 minutes. Then rinse it off.

Free Beauty tips - natural, homemade beauty tips

Beauty is always being considered as something which has lots of laiden secrets using which women make themselves look gorgeous. But the secrets are no more secrets and everyone can become and make their looks gorgeous by following some routine beauty tips. These tips are free from our side and the only rule is that there is no rule.

Include plenty of raw food in your daily diet, like fruits, salad and sprouts.
Drink plenty of water to keep your system well flushed of toxins and wastes.
Daily exercise helps to improve blood circulation to the skin and facilitates the elimination of wastes.
Adequate sleep is a must for good skin. The process of repair and renewal is enhanced during sleep.
Take time to relax. Stress can trigger off many skin problems.
Avoid smoking and alcohol. They deplete the body of the essential nutrients and they are the skin agers.
Protect your skin with moisturiser and sunscreen when you are out of doors, to counteract the damage caused by the suns' ultravoilet radiation and chemical pollutants,
Keep your skin well moisturised during the cold, dry season.
Never neglect night-time cleansing of the skin, to remove the grime, make-up and pollution that has collected during the day.
Seek professional guidance and treatment for problems like acne in good time.

Essential Oils for your skin beauty

Champa: Cooling, soothes and softens the skin.

Geranium: Helps formation of scar tissues, lymphatic tonic, balances sebum and tissue regenerator.

Jasmine and mogra: Helps formation of scar tissues and alleviates imflammation. Used for oily and scarred skin.

Lavender: Balances sebum, soothing and healing, helps formation of scar tissues and encourages growth of skin cells.

Rosewood: Cell stimulant and tissue regenerator.

Sandalwood: Helps formation of scar tissues and reduces imflammation.

Glowing Skin - Tips on how to get glowing skin, home remedy for glowing skin.

Tips For Healthy Growing Skin: