New to running? Tips to get you going

Summer is here in full swing, and your skin will constantly remind you of it! The scorching heat, pollution, humidity et al wipe off the natural glow of the skin, and can invite infections. To keep it healthy, beauty experts advise exfoliation, as it helps cleanse the skin, and removes tan. Along with improving skin texture and blood circulation, it also helps keeps blackheads and acne at bay. Gentle rubbing and washing off the scrub ingredients help to soften and remove dead skin cells, and stimulate the cell renewal process. It also keeps the pores free of hardened oil.

Though exfoliation should be an integral part of skincare regime, this process of scrubbing can do more harm than good if overdone, depending on the skin type. “If the skin is normal to dry, use a scrub once or twice a week. For oily and combination skin, a scrub may be used more often – three or four times a week. Scrubs shouldn’t be used on sensitive skin, with dry reddish patches, or on acne, pimples or rash. If there’s any injury, sore, or any other skin condition, one should not exfoliate the skin,” advises beauty expert Shahnaz Husain.

So, in small, circular movements, gently rub the scrub on the skin for two minutes. Leave it on for a minute and then wash off with water. If you have dry or sensitive skin, don’t scrub for more than a minute. It is important to close the pores after scrubbing, so Husain recommends using a toner, “Use rose water or a rosebased skin tonic. A cold compress with chilled rose water or skin tonic may be given, using cotton wool. Then a protective cream should be applied.” If the skin is dry, moisturiser would help.

Moreover, some scrubs are harsh on the skin and should be avoided. “Walnut scrub, apricot scrub come under the category of thick scrubs and can harm the skin. Mild and homemade scrubs, which are made using sooji, besan, chandan powder can be mixed with gulabjal aka rosewater and with curd for oily and dry skin, respectively,” suggests makeup artist Aashmeen Munjaal.

Here are five homemade scrubs that are chemical-free and easy to make at home with all the kitchen ingredients.

FOR DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN

Mix crushed sesame seeds (til) with milk and halfteaspoon honey into a paste. Scrub with this paste and wash off once dry. Don’t scrub for more than a minute.

FOR NORMAL TO DRY SKIN

Mix almond meal (ground almonds) or walnut powder with one teaspoon each honey and curd, into a paste. Another option is a green tea scrub. Tear two packs of green tea bags, add one teaspoon of honey, half teaspoon of olive oil, and a few drops of essential oil of your choice (optional). Mix well, and apply.

FOR OILY TO SENSITIVE SKIN

Mix egg white with papaya pulp and apply on the face. Leave on for 10 minutes. Then rub gently and wash off with water.

FOR OILY AND BLACKHEAD PRONE SKIN

Mix oats with egg white and apply. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Then moisten with water and rub gently. Wash off with water.

FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN

Mash a kiwi. Add two teaspoons of sugar and two drops of olive oil, and scrub for a minute. Wash off once dry.

With the number of marathon participants around the world growing every year, running is an increasingly popular physical fitness activity. But if you’ve never run before, you need to ease yourself into it. Here’s answering some frequently asked questions: Yes, it’s an endurance sport in which you will make progress, whatever your starting point. Even with health problems, running is often possible. You may need to adapt it to your condition. If you plan to be a regular runner, and take it beyond a leisurely jog, consult your doctor if you’ve been inactive for a while. First, you need to set yourself a reasonable target. Your running plan must also take account of what you can do and what you would like to do. Start by walking, then picking up the pace and gradually introducing short bursts of running of low-to-moderate intensity. As a beginner, you could start with a 30-minute session once a week, then increase the number of sessions to twice then three times a week. But if you experience unusual discomfort, chest pain or breathlessness which does not calm down at rest, stop and see a doctor. No, if you’re already used to walking, you should be fine. Ideally, combine running with muscle-strengthening exercises for the legs and core, to protect your joints. Good running shoes should not be too heavy, and the sole should not be too thick, so that the foot can move naturally and feel the ground underneath. Opt for a classicshaped non-fashion pair that’s slightly bigger than your usual size, but not so much that your feet are slipping inside.