Tips for flawless skin

Find out the skin type

The first step towards skin care is to know the skin type. There are different types of skin: oily, combination and dry.

Oily skin is shiny, may have big pores. Dry skin is rough and flaky. Combination skin is oily at certain places like nose, chin and forehead and dry at other places. Sensitive skin is the one which reacts to makeup or other skin care products like face wash . Skin may be itchy, burning or irritating post make up. Normal skin is clear, even and not sensitive.

Cleaning

Normal to Combination skin:

Use a mild cleanser. Work into lather on your palm. Clean your face using fingertips in gentle circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Hot water tends to dry the skin. Pat dry with a clean towel. Do not rub.

Dry Skin:

Use a mild cleanser which does not have alcohol. Alcohol tends to dry the skin more.

Oily Skin:

Use an oil free foaming cleanser. Use a toner or astringent after that if needed. It removes the excess oil, keeps the face clean. Be sure to check if it irritates your skin.

Sensitive Skin:

Look for a cleanser which has ingredients like aloe, green tea extracts, oats etc. The lesser the ingredients in a cleanser, the better it is for a sensitive skin. Avoid a cleanser with alcohol, acid or fragrance.

Frequency of face wash

Washing your face twice a day is more than enough.

In the morning, you may rinse your face with warm water only. Cleanser is not needed. At the end of the day, wash your face using a suitable cleanser to get rid of dirt and make-up. If you have engaged in work outs or outdoor games, you may use a cleanser to wash the sweat away.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate using a gentle scrub once a week. Daily exfoliation is not required for a healthy skin. Avoid using scrub on a sensitive skin.

Moisturiser

1. People of all age groups and all skin types need a moisturiser.
2. It prevents skin from drying out.
3. Use it every day.
4. Use it immediately after you pat try. This will help in concealing moisture.
5. If you have an oily skin use a moisturiser that is oil free.

Use a sunscreen

1. Use a sunscreen on the moisturiser.
2. Some moisturisers do have sunscreens but it’s recommended to use a sunscreen on top of it.
3. Go for a sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
4. Use a sunscreen whether it’s hot or cold.
5. It’s recommended to use a sunscreen every two hours.
6. Exposure to sun for 5 to 15 minutes is enough to damage the skin.
7. Sun damage fastens skin aging leading to dark spots and wrinkles.

Choosing a make-up

1. If you like using make-up, choose the ones which are labelled as oil free, nonacnegenic/ noncomedogenic. They are less likely to cause pimples.
2. Don’t forget to remove the make-up before going to bed. Otherwise it clogs pores leading to pimples.
3. Use a cleanser or make-up remover and clean it with soft cotton pads.