Chic look for a festive you

As Diwali approaches, the weather also changes. Seasonal changes also influence the skin.

The humidity becomes less and the skin loses moisture to the atmosphere. So there is a need to keep the skin moisturised and also protect it from sun-exposure.

For normal to dry skin, cleanse twice a day, with a cleansing gel, containing ingredients like aloe vera. Massage the cleanser lightly into the skin and remove it with moist cotton wool. Then apply rose water or skin tonic, using cotton wool.

During the day, use a sunscreen, before going out in the sun. Or, use moisturiser, if you are indoors. Moisturisers are available in cream and liquid form.

For dry skin, at night, after cleansing, apply a nourishing cream and massage it on the face. Wipe off with moist cotton wool. You can apply a serum afterwards.

To moisturise oily skin, mix one teaspoon pure glycerin with 100 ml rose water. Keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge. Use a little of this lotion after cleansing. This moisturises the skin, without making it oily. Use cleansing milk or face wash to cleanse the skin.

The use of facial scrubs helps to brighten the skin and add a glow. Use facial scrub twice a week. Mix ground almonds (badaam) or rice powder with curd and a pinch of haldi. You can also add dried and powdered orange and lemon peels. Apply on the face and rub gently on the skin with small circular movements. Then wash off with water.

Apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun. So, you can look for a sunscreen lotion or cream, depending on your skin type. You should also look for day creams, nourishing or night creams and serums.

Try some home remedies to relieve dryness. Apply honey on the face daily for 10 minutes and wash off with water. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, the gel, found in the inner portion of the leaves, can be applied on the face to moisturise it.

Grate carrots and apply on the face for 15 to 20 minutes. Carrot is rich in Vitamin A and good for nourishing the skin in winter. It suits all skin types.

Mix half-a-teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water. Suits normal to dry skin. Applying mayonnaise or egg yolk on the skin also helps to relieve dryness. Suits dry skin.

Nourish the hair with oil treatments once or twice a week. Heat olive oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better.

For hands and nails, mix almond oil and honey in equal parts and massage into the nails and cuticles. Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe off with a moist towel. Mix together 3 tablespoons of rose water with one tablespoon each glycerin and lemon juice. Apply on hands and feet and leave for half-an-hour. Wash off with plain water.