Combat changing seasons

Change your skin care routine when the temperature drops

Very soon, the taut feeling in your skin will indicate that cold, wintry days lie ahead. The humidity in the air becomes less. The skin loses moisture to the atmosphere and this moisture must be replenished.

Habitual lack of moisture can lead to excessive dryness, flaking, rough and red skin, etc. If the skin is a normal to dry type, cleanse morning and night with a cleansing cream or gel. At night, cleansing is even more important, in order to remove makeup and other pollutants.

Makeup cosmetics also cause dryness. Massage the cleanser lightly into the skin and remove it with moist cotton wool. Using moist cotton wool helps to prevent further dryness, as it does not absorb any more moisture from the skin.

After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin, using a rose-based skin tonic or even rose water. Using cotton wool, wipe the skin and then pat it briskly. Toning removes the last stages of the cleanser and also stimulates circulation.

During the day, use a sunscreen, before going out in the sun. Sun exposure can also cause loss of moisture. Most sunscreens have built-in moisturisers. Moisturisers are available in cream and liquid form. For extreme dryness, use a cream.

A liquid moisturiser should be used before applying foundation. Whenever the skin feels dry, apply a liquid moisturiser.

The skin should also be nourished with a good cream for specially made for nights. Nourishing helps to lubricate the skin and keep it soft. It also helps the skin to hold moisture better. After cleansing, apply the nourishing cream and massage it on the skin, with upward an outward movements, for three to four minutes. Then wipe off all cream with moist cotton wool. Apply an outer-eye cream around the eyes and wipe it off after 10 minutes, with moist cotton wool.

Oily skins face the problem of superficial dryness. The skin feels dry after washing, but becomes oily, or gets eruptions, if creams and moisturisers are applied. Use cleansing milk or face wash.

A light moisturising lotion can be used if there is dryness. Add a drop or two of water before application, to give a lighter coverage. Or, use an oil-free day cream. Honey applied on the face daily for 10 minutes and then wash it off with water, it would help to relieve superficial dryness.

The skin on the lips is also very thin and lacks sebaceous (oil-producing) glands. That is why it can become dry and chapped easily. After cleansing, apply almond cream or almond oil on the lips and leave it on overnight. This would help to soften the skin. Lip balms are also helpful.

Here are some home remedies:
Honey applied on the face daily for 10 minutes and then washed off with water helps to relieve dryness and keep the skin soft. For dry skin, add an egg yolk or one teaspoon pure almond oil. For oily skin, add egg white and a little lemon juice.

Take one peeled and cored apple and puree it in a blender. Add one tablespoon honey. Apply this on the face like a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then, rinse off with cool water. This is a powerful skin toner for all skin types.

Aloe vera is one of the richest natural moisturisers.

Apply aloe vera gel daily on the face and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. If you have aloe vera plants growing at home, apply the gel or juice directly on the skin.

The gel obtained from the plant itself is the leaf pulp, found in the inner portion of the leaves. The aloe juice is found just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. However, while using it directly on the skin at home, one should wash the plant well.

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.