How can I get a flawless complexion

“A thing of beauty is joy for ever”, wrote Keats. And, a flawless, glowing complexion forms the basic ingredient of beauty. This makes skin care a fascinating subject on which we all have something to share—home remedies, to-do tips or precious nuggets of advice. A flawless complexion is every woman’s dream—just like a solitaire diamond. However, the path to attain one is riddled with age spots, zits, wrinkles and freckles. Skin is the largest organ you have and it withstands elements-wind, sun, rain and cold. Naturally, it needs your tender love and care and a dedicated skin care routine.



 Cleansing. Be careful not to cleanse your face too often. Washing at night should do. Always remove makeup off your face before you hit the sack. “Use a remover without chemicals,” says Kat James, author of “The Truth About Beauty: Transform Your Looks and Your Life From the Inside Out.” “The point is to purify your face, not add harsh synthetics”, says she in the book. While there are several options to clean face—soaps, face wash, cleansing lotions and creams, the ideal option for you depends on your skin type. “Normally, soaps are good for skin below your neck”, say experts because they have harsh detergents. “However, a superfatted soap like Dove or Pears is gentle for your skin”, believes Dr. Simal Soin, consultant dermatologist Indraprastha Apollo hospitals.

 Hard water is harsh on the skin. Spritzing your face with mineral water will make it dewy and supple. Often we prefer cleansing lotions to soap for cleaning our face. Cleansing lotions are useful for removing heavy makeup. Excessive use may cause acne and skin cysts.
• Toning. Toners tighten skin pores. “You can use it, if you have oily skin, as they remove oil, but be careful if you use them on a dry or sensitive skin, as it may burn, itch or leave you with a tingling sensation,” advises Dr. Simal. Going the natural way is a better option for toning skin and rosewater makes an excellent toner.
• Moisturising. Moisturizing ensures that the skin is smooth and supple. The skin on the face dries easily because of the weather. Moisturizing forms a film over the skin and helps in containing the natural moisture of the skin.
• Exfoliate. As our skin grows it casts off dead skin. This dead cell blocks the pores, causes blackheads and makes skin surface look dull. Exfoliation gently removes these dead cells and reveals new softer, clearer and glowing skin. It also helps in boosting the blood circulation. Regular exfoliation helps to offset some the damage caused by sun exposure—uneven pigmentation and wrinkles.
Hot Tip—Always wear sunscreen of SPF 15 to 20 at least twenty minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply it after two to three hours.

Sailing across the beauty maze
You see them on the beauty aisles, stock your bathroom cabinet with these and pack them without fail even for an overnight trip. Yet, you are intrigued at the wide range and names of beauty care products. Below is a simple guide to clear your doubts.
 Cleansing lotions—These are solutions of detergent in water. Some contain oil but in small amounts and some contain antibacterial agents.
 Cleansing bars—they look and feel like soaps but are usually compressed blocks of cleansing creams containing a soapless detergent.
 Cleansing gels—They are quick and easy to use and are generally recommended for all skin types.
 Soap—It is a detergent with alkaline pH. It strips the skin of the grease thereby drying it.
 Moisturising creams—Creams contain approximately 60 percent water. Their relatively high proportion of oil or wax prevents natural moisture from escaping the skin surface.
 Nourishing creams—Often described as night creams these products are heavy moisturizers and they help to soften, balance and refine the skin texture and help to offset the effects of ageing and dehydration.
 Facial scrubs—These products are basically cleansing creams or milks containing grains such as finely ground nuts, oatmeal or tiny synthetic micro beads. Facial scrubs combine a detergent cleansing action with gentle abrasion.
Five must dos for a healthy skin
 Drink water
 Eat a balanced healthy diet complete with fibre, fruits and vegetables.
 Quit cigarettes.
 Bid adieu to alcohol
 Remember—cleansing, toning and moisturizing everyday, twice preferably.