Skin care by Types

Dry Skin

Dry skin looks dry, feels tight, and sometimes flakes. It may be due to lack of humidity, hormonal changes, too much exfoliations, or your oil glands for some reason do not produce enough oil (sebum).

Dry skin is sensitive to very hot or very cold weather. People with dry skin are less prone to developing acne.

1. Wash your face once or two times a day with a mild cleanser preferably creamy cleanser. Do not use soap or detergent. You may use a commercial 'Sensitive Skin Face Wash'.

2. Use warm water with cleanser, thoroughly rinse with cold water

3. Use Moisturize your face every day. It should be free of oils, wax and lipids. A dab of honey or Glycerin is sufficient. Drink plenty of water.

4. Toner must be alcohol free: Rose water, Cucumber

5. Use moisturized foundation for make-up. Do not use any powder.

Oily Skin

The oil glands produce excessive sebum that does not dry out. The oil makes your face look shiny. It accumulates dirt and dust. Acne develops when the dead skin gets stuck and clogs the pores.

1. Wash your face once or two times a day with a mild soap as a cleanser. You may use face masks with Multani Mitti. Use Reetha facial soap. Using a cleanser with salicylic acid may slow down production rate of sebum.

2. Use warm water with cleanser, thoroughly rinse with cold water

3. Moisturizers may not be needed. Drink plenty of water.

4. Use Toners and astringents. Witch Hazel is good. Do NOT use harsh astringents if you have developed acne.

5. Use oil free make up. Powder are acceptable.

Combination

This is the most common type of skin. It is also called T-zone. The forehead forms the top horizontal bar of the T, while the nose and chin represent the vertical bar of the T. This T- zone is oily, while the facial area is dry.

Normally, one would expect to care for these two different zones differently. It is easier to use a cleanser designed for combination skin, and use moisturizers for drier zone.

1. Wipe the T-zone with a slice of lime to remove oil. Wash your face once or two times a day with a mild cleanser preferably with a exfoliating agents such as Yogurt and tomato juice for cleanser. Do not use soap or detergent.

2. Use warm water with cleanser, thoroughly rinse with cold water

3. Apply moisturizer to dry zone. It should be free of oils, wax and lipids. A dab of honey or Glycerin is sufficient. Drink plenty of water.

4. Toner must be alcohol free: Rose water, Cucumber

5. Use moisturized foundation for make-up. Powder T-zone.

Normal

We call this normal skin, but it is not a statistical average norm. In India, majority of people are born with combination skin followed by oily skin. Few are born with dry, and fewer with normal skin.

A simple tomato juice and Dahi makes a good all purpose exfoliating agent cleanser and a skin tonic to keep skin glowing.

Cucumber juice may be used as a toner/astringent to restore skin's acid mantle (pH same as skin's acid mantle).

Occasionally, you may add a drop of lime juice for better cleansing , or a drop of honey as a moisturizer.

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