- Skin Types And Skin Care -
It is really important for you to be able to identify your skin type.This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly.Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type.Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following typesry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin.

To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild face wash.Then, after 30 minutes, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.If the tissue shows no trace of oil, then you have dry skin.Dry skin looks rough and is prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles.If your skin is oily in some parts but dry in others, then you have combination skin.Normal skin usually looks smooth and is not prone to break outs.Oily skin feels oily to touch and tends to shine.Oily skin is also prone to blackheads and pimples.A sensitive skin needs special care, as it may be sensitive to some ingredients found in popular cosmetics.Those with sensitive skin should always use beauty aids that are hypoallergenic to protect their skin from allergic reactions.A regular skin care programme, adapted to the needs of your particular skin type, goes a long way in keeping your skin radiant and problem free.

Dry Skin -
Dry skin needs extra care, as it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles.This is especially true during the winter months when it feels even drier and may feel too taut or may even flake.A few measures help alleviate dryness and keep your skin supple and, at the same time, guard against premature aging.

1. Always wash your face with a mild, soap-free face wash.Never use soap, as that would further strip your skin of natural oil.

2. Always use a moisturiser during the day.Use upward,circular motion to lightly massage the moisturiser into your face.Make sure not to pull or tug your skin.

3. You should consider using a night cream before going to bed at night.It is advisable to use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids(or AHA's, as they're commonly known).AHA's are derived from sources such as milk, fruit and sugar-cane.These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin while they moisturise the newly revealed layers.They greatly benefit complexions that look dull, dry or flaky and they give your skin a beautiful glow.

4. Both AHA and Vitamin C help reduce fine lines and other signs of aging.Thus, you may get good results quickly by using a moisturiser or cream that contains Vitamin C during the day and an AHA-based night cream.Most known brands have moisturisers and creams that contain these.

5. If you have dry skin that tends to flake off, looks red and has some itchy patches that scab, consult your doctor to rule out eczema.Eczema, also known as atopic dermititis, is generally considered to be a hereditary condition that can occur throughout the year.Other causes of eczema can be fabrics such as wool, some skin-care products or detergents etc.Your doctor may prescribe a cream to soothe the redness and irritation.Non-irriating fabrics such as cotton also help avoid flare-ups.

6. Many people suffer from weather-related dry skin. If the weather in the winter months is normally drier and this tends to dehydrate your skin, regular use of moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Home Remedies For Dry Skin -
* Add 1/2 tsp of rose water to 1 tsp of honey and gently apply to the face. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturises and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use.

* Massaging you face regularly with almond oil or olive oil works wonders for dry skin.

* Take 1/4 of an apple. Peel off the skin and grate. Cool in the refrigerator. Apply it on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Apple helps soothe dry skin and gives it a pleasant glow.

* Take 1 tbsp of cream. Stir lightly till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply to face and neck before bath. Cream helps remove suntan and makes your skin silky and supple

Normal Skin-
Nomal skin is usually trouble-free and needs simple care to keep it healthy and glowing.Normal skin also tolerates most popular lotions and creams as well.A regular skin-care program combined with a balanced, healthy diet helps keep normal skin stay supple and young.Regular care for normal skin should include a few simple steps.

1. Cleansing, toning, and moisturising daily keeps normal skin in great shape for a long time.It is advisable to use natural products on your skin.

2. It's easy to take trouble-free skin for granted.But, if neglected, it will begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles.So always remember to nourish and moisturise your skin.

3. Creams and lotions that contain vitamin A, C and E help improve the texture of your skin, making it smoother and softer.Moreover, these vitamins counter the effects of free radicals.

4. Even if your skin is normal, you still have to give it regular care.Your skin, like any other skin type, is constantly assaulted by free radicals.Free radicles are molecules formed in the skin when it is exposed to the environment, pollution, or sunlight.

Home Remedies For Normal Skin -
Mash 1/4 of a ripe banana. Apply on the face, taking care to avoid the areas under the eye.Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off with cool water.Banana is excellent to do away with dead skin that makes your skin look lifeless.Regular use of banana gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow.

Combination Skin -
Skin that is oily in some parts but dry or normal in others is considered as combination skin.The oily skin is concentrated on the T-zone, which is across the foreheat, down the nose and chin.Whenever you wash your face, you may find that some areas of your face feel tight after washing; and that these parts look dull or feel dry and rough whereas the T-zone looks shiny, feels oily to touch and is prone to pimples and blackheads.Combination skin needs special attention because the dry parts of your face need to be considered, whereas the oily parts need to be kept clean to avoid breakouts.Follow these simple tips each day and see what a difference they make to your skin.

1. Cleanse your entire face twice a day.Always use a mild cleanser to gently remove dirt, grime and make-up from your face.

2. The dry areas of your face need to be moisturised to prevent the formation of premature wrinkles.Use a good moisturiser on the dry parts of your face, and if possible, use an oil-free moisturiser on your T-zone.

3. If you use make-up, try and use oil-free/shine control type of make-up on the T-zone.These products are easily available in the market today and help absorb all the excess oil secretion and control the shine.

4. If you have a combination skin, your skin will greatly benefit from AHA and Vitamin C moisturisers and creams.Products that contain AHA tend to normalise the skin.

Home Remedies For Combination Skin -
* Always keep a small bottle of rose water in the refrigerator. Saturate a bit of clean cotton with cool rose water and dab liberally on your face. Enjoy the fresh feeling.

* Take 3-4 tbsp of ripe, deseeded papaya pulp.Mash well and cool in the refrigerator.Apply on face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with cool water.Papaya helps normalise combination or oily skin and gives it a beautiful healthy glow.

Oily Skin-
Skin that looks oily, feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples is known as oily skin.It is imperative to keep oily skin clean and to control the excess secretion of oil.On the positive side, oily skin tends to age more gradually as compared to other skin types, as natural oil protects oily skin from fine lines and wrinkles..A simple but regular skin-care programme coupled with a well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin and minimises skin break-outs.

1. It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime.Always use a mild cleanser.They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples..

2. Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this will remove all excess oil.It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent. Instead, it is asvisable to use natural products.Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face.

3. If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples.Pimples, if squeezed, may leave permanent scars.There are a number of effective pimple creams available in the market today.Consult a dermatologist to know which one is best suited for you..

4. If possible, get your face professionally cleansed once a month.

5. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.Water helps flush out toxins from the body.

6. Avoid fried foods and chocolates.

7. Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and green leafy vegetables daily.

Home Remedies For Oily Skin -
* Keep a bowl of water in the fridge and splash this cold water on your face 3-4 times a day.Cold water will not only leave you feeling refreshed but will also tighten the pores.

* Neem leaves are excellent for pimples.Crush washed neem leaves to form a paste and apply this to the affected parts.Leave it on for at least an hour.Neem will help the pimples dry up faster.

* For marks and blemishes left behind by pimples use calamine lotion.Just dab some lotion on the blemishes at bedtime and they will gradually fade away.

* A great pack for oily skin is the chilled cucumber.Finely grate cucumber or blend a cucumber in the blender to form a paste.Chill in the fridge.Apply it on the face and relax for 15 minutes.Wash off with cold water.For best results, repeat twice a week, on a clean,