Summer Skin Care to a Glowing you :)
- Summer is a great time to get outside and rejuvenate your mind and body. But for your skin, summer means extra exposure to the sun, heat and sweat. This summer, give your skin a little TLC with these tips for healthy, refreshed skin.
Lets start with the Basic steps Cleansing , Toning & Moisturizing... :) this is to be done on a daily basis :)
1. Cleansing :
- Well, my tip is to not wash your face more than two times a day...do it at night to remove make-up , grime n dirt or pollutants..at morning when you wake up just a splash of lukewarm water is all you need....why because , cleansing your face more than required strips your skin of its natural oil n disturbs the oil and ph balance...also it tends to rid your skin of moisture..especially for people with dry skin..they can use gentle facial cleansers available in the market...remember that if a product is costly it doesn't necessarily mean that its ideal for you..do check out for the ingredients label and be aware of the chemicals being used...Dove is the best for dry skin (not for face , for your body, do not use bar soaps on your face )...
- My dermatologist recommended me Dove... :) I use saffron cleanser from Forest Essentials (it's natural ) & at times AHA Glow (available in Pharmacies ) for my face & Apricot - Basil shower gel From Body Shop which has no SLS or parabens..and Dove moisturizing bar... :) . So cleanse n pat dry with a towel , gently.
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| Toning :) |
2. Toning : (Toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, thus reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It can even protect and remove chlorines and minerals present in tap water. )
- Use the toner immediately after cleansing..I know you must be thinking that u don't have time for all this, but trust me it will just take few seconds and it will work wonders for your skin....Again I have tried two brands Facial Tonic Mist - Panchpushp from Forest Essentials ( this is if u want an alcohol n' chemical free toner ) & Whitening Clarifying Softener From Chambor which is not natural but i feel its not harsh like the other toners out there in the market and also it cleans & tightens your pores n makes your skin kinda soft. I have a combination skin.Pour a few drops onto a good quality soft 100 % cotton facial pad ( i use the organic cotton pads from Body Shop ) and wipe it over your facial skin and neck...This works wonders for me.. :) You can find out a product thus suitable for your skin..remember to check out the labels..and also don't use it if your skin feels dry or very tight after using it...always ask for testers...! Feel free to suggest the products that you guys use.. :)
- Toner tips:
- Don’t use toner more than once a day, especially if you have dry skin.
- If you have dry skin, try using toner only every other day.
- Find a toner that has very natural ingredients, some toners can have a high amount of chemicals in them.
- Always apply moisturizer after you use toner, otherwise your skin will get very dry and feel tight.
- Toner is suppose to make your skin feel refreshed, if it burns or gets becomes red, you are using the wrong toner.
- Toner is suppose to make your skin feel clean, if your skin feels oily or have residue after use, try to find a new toner.
- Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or normal skin, don't forget to moisturize it immediately after toning. Simple daily activities such as perspiring, shaving or washing your face can disrupt the skin's natural oil and moisture level. To counteract any skin stress your daily routine causes, apply a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to keep things soft and supple.
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| Moisturize |
- Moisturizing products, which are made to hold water in the skin, often contain humectants and emollients as ingredients. Humectants, such as urea, glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids, work by absorbing water from the air around you. Emollients, such as lanolin, mineral oil or petrolatum, fill in spaces between skin cells to smooth the appearance of rough skin [source: Mayo Clinic]. Look for these ingredients in more than just lotions and creams -- cleansing bars, body washes and even deodorants can contain ingredients that moisturize your skin [source: Bruno].
- No matter whether your skin type is dry, oily or sensitive, you shouldn't skip the moisturizing step in your skin care routine. Leaving it out might quickly cause redness or flaking, and in time it can allow wrinkles and other aging signs to show up on your skin earlier than they otherwise might. Also, if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, moisturizing regularly might help ease some of the irritation.
- To get the most out of your moisturizer, first prime your skin. While in the shower, use a loofah or an exfoliating body scrub a few times a week to exfoliate. Removing dead skin cells before adding a moisturizing lotion or cream may help your skin absorb the product and increase hydration [source: Bruno]. Then, within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower, apply lotion to trap the moisture on your skin. By adding this step to your regular routine, you can ditch dry, itchy skin for good.
- To ensure your facial skin stays blemish-free, look for moisturizers that are oil-free and noncomedogenic, or designed not to clog pores. Even if you struggle with breakouts, you should still use a moisturizer. In fact, applying a moisturizing lotion immediately after a topical acne medication can help to reduce dryness and irritation caused by the medicine. If the medicine is causing itching or stinging, however, then you might try applying the moisturizer first [source: American Academy of Dermatology].
- Even if your skin type tends to be normal to oily, using a high-quality moisturizer on a regular basis can be the key to improving the way your skin looks and feels.Be careful nt to over moisturize as this can clog your pores.( I also apply a serum from Estee lauder before moisturizing. The brands i use for moisturizing are Estee lauder & Olay. ) Don't use a moisturizer with sunscreen at night. Use a separate night time moisturizer for that and always massage upwards in gentle circular strokes....
4. Sunscreen :
- The #1 cause of skin damage is the exposure to sun's rays....So its very important to use a sunscreen when you step outdoors , even if its cloudy or rainy. Well you can use a separate sunscreen which will provide more protection or else an easy trick is to use two moisturizers. One for night and one for the day that includes UV protection.As mentioned before don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 24/7 and can aggravate the skin.Also when choosing a sunscreen make sure it contains Meroxyl( found in my fav La-Roche Posay) or helioplex (Neutogena) or zinc oxide.
Now lets check out the weekly rituals to pamper you skin :).....
1. Exfoliate :
- I make it a point to exfoliate my skin weekly once or twice either by using a scrub or by using a washcloth. For my facial skin I prefer to apply my facial cleanser not the washcloth and gently scrub my face and neck with it in a gentle circular motion. I use the washcloths and cleansing pads from Body shop. For my body I use a loofah or a body brush apply my scrub and gently scrub allover..Trust me this helps in removing all dead cells that has been accumulating and making you skin look dull and aged.. steaming before scrubbing makes the process easier... :) Wash away and then pamper your skin with a good quality non comedogenic moisturizer... :). For body scrub I use St.Ives , Body polish From Forest essentials Etc...For the face i use Ubtans available from Forest essentials...I love natural products... :)
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| home made masques :) |
2. Masks or Home made masque:
- U can also pamper your face and body skin with face Masques & Ubtans available in the market. I get mine from Forest essentials.For example I mix gram flour or ubtan, honey and lemon juice for a refreshing mask...there are many such recipes for that...My next blogs will include such recipes..keep looking for them :) This should be done after cleansing, steaming ,scrubbing and after applying the masque let it stay for 15 - 20 mins and rinse off and pat dry with a towel. Moisturize immediately..
Tips :
Along with the above rituals drink plenty of water , herbal tea and eat fresh fruits and veggies & seeds n nuts to detox and pamper your skin from within with nutrients and moisture.. :) Avoid sugar , caffeine , alcohol ...eat less or no meat at all... :) & Find a Glowing you within weeks... :) Well no pain no gains ! :)
Links to products :
For now Ciao...Hope this helps for now...
Love,
Crazy Girl... :) <3
