Spring Clean
THESE FIVE SIMPLE RULES WILL HELP GET YOUR SKIN READY FOR A NEW SEASON. BY MRIDU RAI
Follow these five simple beauty rules that will help get your skin ready for the new season.
Get to know your skin better
This should be rule number one. For effective results and to avoid side effects base your skin care regime on your skin type. Everyone knows that there are three basic types of skin — normal, dry and oily, but there are also skin type subsets which include — sensitive, combination and dehydrated skin. “Your skin is never the same at all times. It changes with age, weather, diet and mood,” explains Dr Chytra. V. Anand, cosmetic dermatologist, Kosmoderma Clinics. It is smart to get your skin analysed by a professional before you start any beauty routine to ensure you are on the right track.
Include undereye cream in your daily essentials
After you hit the other side of 25, the ageing process starts to kick in. Even though the skin under your eye is the first to bear the brunt of declining years, most of us forget to add undereye cream to our beauty regime. It’s time we give this indispensible cream its due. “For correct application, cleanse your skin then use your ring finger to apply the cream in circular motions with a light touch. Do not rub as the skin in this area is extremely sensitive,” advises Anand.
Take beauty supplements
No amount of beauty products can make up for the lack of essential nutrients in your diet. While a balanced diet is the best way to get these nutrients, a busy schedule can often come in the way. “Taking oral antioxidants, Omega 3 and vitamins helps to boost the skin’s immune functions, helping with added photo protection and regularising skin and hair health. The combination of these supplements de- pends on the condition of your skin and hair,” says Anand. To slow down the process of ageing and for skin maintenance Anand recommends the following — Omega 3 500 mg daily Vitamin C 60 mg / day Vitamin E 40 IU / day Biotin 30 mcg Zinc 8mg Vitamin B Complex Resveratrol
Use essential oils
According to Anand, “While the positive effects of essential oils are yet to be scientifically established, the field of aromatherapy has for years used essential oils for treating various conditions such as depression, sleeplessness and anxiety with great success.” And everyone knows the effect these three culprits can have on our skin. Apart from base oils such as olive, almond, jojoba and wheatgerm, tea tree oil is a popular choice in the treatment of acne, pimples and other bacterial infections.
Adopt a healthier lifestyle
It’s no secret that smoking, excessive alcohol, stress and irregular sleep habits tend to age the skin faster due to free radical damage. Free radicals are scavenger cells that attack healthy tissue and erode the skin barrier. They destroy collagen and elastin and slow down the production of new cells. “Smokers should take an oral antioxidant on a daily basis while those exposed to pollution and air conditioning should use a skin sealant to create an external skin barrier,” advises Anand.