OILY/DRY/SENSITIVE/WINTER/NORMAL OR COMBINATION SKIN CARE ROUTINE

OILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE

THE AIM OF OILY SKIN CARE
IS TO KEEP THE OIL PRODUCTION AND ACNE UNDER CONTROL

Do you have oily skin? Give it the most gentle oily skin care.

The characteristics of an oily skin are an oily skin surface and open pores. It has a tendency to have outbreaks of acne, blackheads and pimples.

Oily skin usually has an unhealthy and sallow appearance. The over-active sebaceous glands cause excessive production of oil or sebum. This is the skin type that is most prone to acne.

Be gentle and do not treat oily skin types too harshly. Over-enthusiastic treatment will over-stimulate the sebaceous glands. It will encourage the sebaceous glands to generate more sebum. However the surface layers of the skin remain dehydrated and dry.

The best oily skin care is to make use of skin care products that will gently cleanse oils from the surface of the skin and unclogged pores. At the same time it should not damage or cause the skin to dry out.

The part of the skin that is visible needs water, not oil. Water will help it to remain supple and soft.

Boosting your skin’s moisture levels and controlling excess oil will ensure a beautiful clear complexion.

BEWARE! ACNE ALERT!
If you have oily skin, you would be more prone to acne. Acne is distressing. Some other factors that trigger acne are:

• Genetic, as in it runs in some families 
• Change in hormonal levels during adolescence – this results in excessive production of sebum 
• Stress 
• Poor skin care 
• Poor lifestyle

Careful oily skin care will help with acne control. Do not pick at your pimples. This can cause permanent scarring.

Here are some use acne treatments for your consideration. Use OTC acne medicines. Today’s formulations contain ingredients that are very successful at treating this skin problem.

There are skin care products with tea tree oil. These have proven very effective in treating acne.

If these aren’t successful, consult your doctor who may be able to prescribe some stronger acne medicines or refer you to a skin specialist or dermatologist.

OILY SKIN CARE STEPS
There are 4 basic steps in the oily skin care routine.

REMOVE EYE MAKE-UP 
The 1^st step in your oily skin care routine is to remove eye make-up.

While most areas around the face are oily, the skin that is around the eyes tends to be more dry and delicate.

• Soak some cotton wool with an eye make-up remover that is non-oily.
• Hold the cotton wool over the eyes. Leave it for a few moments. This will enable it to dissolve and remove the make-up that is on the eyelids, lower and upper lashes. 

Are your using ordinary mascara or waterproof mascara? Choose appropriate products designed for the removal of the type of eye make-up that you are using. Check out this article on eye makeup removers.

CLEANSE 
The 2^nd and most important step in your oily skin care routine is facial cleansing.

• Splash tepid water on your face 
• Use a foaming facial wash and work up a good lather. Avoid using ordinary soap which will strip away your skin’s moisture. It will dissolve and remove the dirt, grime and oil accumulated throughout the day. 
• Using your fingertips, massage gently over damp skin 
• Carefully rinse with a lot of warm water.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial cleansers.

TONE 
The 3^rd step in your oily skin care routine is facial toning.

• Soak some cotton wool an astringent lotion. 
• Wipe over the whole skin. This will provide refreshing and cools the face. Continue until the cotton wool is completely clean.
  

Does the toner irritates or stings your face? Yes, switch to a product with a gentler formulation.

Alternatively, dilute your existing toner with some distilled water. Distilled water should be available from the local pharmacist.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial toners.

MOISTURIZE 
The 4^th step in your oily skin care routine is moisturizing.

Oily skins do need a moisturizer too. Choose a moisturizer that is gentle and light. It will help to keep the moisture level in the uppermost layers of the skin. Water helps to keep the face supple and soft.

As part of your oily skin care routine, choose a moisturizer that is made of light and watery fluid. Do not choose a thick moisturizer.

Allow the skin to absorb the moisturizer for a few moments. Use a clean tissue and press it over your face to absorb the excess moisturizer. This will help to prevent a glossy or shiny complexion. The way to take care of oily skin is by improving your skin’s moisture levels and controlling any excess oil.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on moisturizers.

Need some skin care products for your oily skin care routine? Skin store has a wide selection. Click here and search for what you need. 

NORMAL SKIN CARE ROUTINE

THE AIM IS TO KEEP THE SKIN HEALTHY AND NORMAL

Formulating a normal skin care routine for such a balanced and perfect skin type is easy.

The normal skin has a fine texture, healthy glow and no open pores. It seldom develops shiny areas or spots. It naturally has a good balance of oil and moisture levels.

It is quite uncommon to find anyone with normal skin. Most skins tend to grow slightly drier as you grow older.

The key aim is to keep the normal skin healthy and functioning as well as it has been.

Your normal skin care routine should include make-up removal followed by gentle cleansing. This is to prevent sebum build-ups.

Use a good moisturizer to improve the moisture levels of your skin. This will help to protect your skin and ensure a good balance of moisture content.

NORMAL SKIN CARE STEPS
There are 4 basic steps in the normal skin care routine.

REMOVE EYE MAKE-UP 
The 1^st step in your normal skin care routine is to remove eye make-up. Do it carefully.

Do not go to bed with mascara still on. It can lead to sore and puffy eyes.

Do not apply new make-up on top of stale make-up. It is unhygienic.

Are your using ordinary mascara or waterproof mascara? Choose appropriate products designed for the removal of the type of eye make-up that you are using. Check out this article on eye makeup removers.

CLEANSE 
The 2^nd step in the normal skin care routine is facial cleansing.

• Splash water on your face
• Lightly massage in gentle facial wash for 30 seconds. Work up a lather. Massaging will boost the blood supply to the surface of your skin. This will lead to a more rosy complexion.
• Use clear water to rinse your face
• Use a soft towel to pat your face dry. Do not rub the face. Residual water on the skin surface, especially those around the eyes, can cause wrinkling.

Choose appropriate products designed for cleansing your face. Check out this article on facial cleansers.

TONE 
The 3^rd step in the normal skin care routine is facial toning.

Apply a refreshing toner to freshen the skin. Avoid the area that is around the eye. This area is more delicate and prone to dryness.

Choose appropriate products designed for toning your face. Check out this article on facial toners.

MOISTURIZE 

• Dot the face with moisturizer
• Massage the moisturizer in with your fingertips.
• Use gentle and light upward strokes. The moisturizer will form a protective film and make-up can be applied easily.

Choose appropriate products designed for cleansing your face. Check out this article on moisturizers.

Need some skin care products for your normal skin care routine? Skin store has a wide selection. Click here and search for what you need. 

DRY SKIN CARE ROUTINE

THE AIM IS TO RESTORE AND RETAIN THE SKIN’S MOISTURE LEVEL

The key focus of a dry skin care routine is to restore and retain the moisture level of your skin.

Does your skin tend to feel tight or even flaky? Chances are you have dry skin.

Give your skin a gentle, nourishing dry skin care that will restore moisture to your skin.

The 2 main causes of dry skin are too little sebum are being produced in the lower levels of the skin and too little moisture are being kept in the upper levels of the skin.

Signs of a dry skin are:

• After washing, the skin feels tight. 
• Flaky, especially at the eyebrows.

Dry skin can lead to early emergence of wrinkles and fine lines. Premature ageing appears.

There a number of factors that can aggravate the condition of dry skin:

• Excessive use of detergents, soap and toners 
• Exposure to cold winds, hot sun and central heating

The dry skin care routine should be gentle, concentrate on improving the skin’s moisture level, pump out fine lines and make the skin soft and supple.

DRY SKIN CARE STEPS
There are 4 basic steps in a dry skin care routine.

REMOVE EYE MAKE-UP 
The 1^st step in your dry skin care routine is to remove eye make-up. Use an eye make-up remover that is oil-based.

• Pour a little of the remover onto a cotton wool pad. Do not use excessively. Excessive use will overload the skin and cause puffiness and irritation. 
• Swipe over the eye area. This oily product will help soothe any dryness in the delicate eye area.
• To remove any stubborn make-up, dip a cotton bud in eye make-up remover. Try to work as close to the eyelashes as possible. Be careful. Do not get any remover in your eyes.

Are your using ordinary mascara or waterproof mascara? Choose appropriate products designed for the removal of the type of eye make-up that you are using. Check out this article on eye makeup removers.

CLEANSE 
The 2^nd step in your dry skin care routine is cleansing.

• Apply a creamy cleanser all over the face. The cleanser will remove make-up and dirt from the skin’s surface. 
• Leave the cleanser on for a few minutes. 
• Clean off the cleaner with cotton wool. Gently, use upward movements. Do not stretch the skin as it will encourage lines. 
• If desired, splash some cool water on your face. This will help to remove any excess cleanser. It will also help improve the blood circulation in your face.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial cleansers.

TONE 
The 3^rd step in your dry skin care routine is toning.

If you have extremely dry skin, avoid using toner. Otherwise choose a mild alcohol-free toner. Apply the toner gently over your face with a cotton wool pad. Be careful to avoid the delicate eye area as it is more prone to dryness.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial toners.

MOISTURIZE 
The 4^th and most important step in your dry skin care routine is moisturizing. It is an important step in a dry skin care routine.

• Choose a thick creamy moisturizer. 
• Dot some moisturizer onto your face. 
• Massage with your fingertips. Use light, gentle upward circular strokes. This will leave a protective film on the skin and allow make-up to be easily applied. 
• Wait a few moments before putting on make-up. This allows the skin time to absorb the moisturizer.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on moisturizers.

Adjust your dry skin care routine according to the seasons. If you have dry skin, the cold weather will make it worse. Consider these winter skin care tips during the cold season. 

COMBINATION SKIN CARE ROUTINE

PROVIDE BALANCED ATTENTION TO BOTH OILY AND DRY AREAS

The key focus of a combination skin care to provide a balance of different attention to the needs of the dry and oily patches.

If your face is partly oily and partly dry, you’ve got combination skin and there are several ways to care for it so that you can keep both types balanced and looking good.

The centre panel or T-zone refers to the skin that covers the forehead and from the nose down to the chin. This area is prone to oiliness.

Therefore it has to be given the same treatment as that of an oily skin. The proper skin care products that are meant for oily skin should be used in these areas.

The skin that is on the other parts of the face are tends to be dry and may even be flaky. This is due to insufficient moisture.

This area needs to be given the same treatment as that of a dry skin. The proper skin care products for dry skin should be used in these areas.

There are some combination skins that don’t follow the T-zone pattern. They have patches of dry and oily skin in other arrangements.

You can use the following method to check and ensure you know where the oily areas of your skin are.

• Wash your face with a foaming cleanser. 
• Pat it dry. 
• Do not apply any toner or moisturizer to it for the next ½ to 1 hour.
• Press a tissue to your face an hour after washing it.

Any greasy patches on the tissue show the oily areas.

Use the following steps a guide to help you develop a proper combination skin care routine for your face.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE STEPS
There are 4 basic steps in the combination skin care routine.

REMOVE EYE MAKE-UP 
The 1^st in your combination skin care routine is to remove your eye make-up. Use an eye make-up remover that is oil-based.

• Gently wipe away all traces of eye make-up. Be gentle as this area is delicate and prone to dryness. 
• To remove any stubborn eye make-up, dip a cotton bud in the make-up remover. 
• Splash your face with some cool water. This oil will be rinsed away excess oil.

Are your using ordinary mascara or waterproof mascara? Choose appropriate products designed for the removal of the type of eye make-up that you are using. Check out this article on eye makeup removers.

CLEANSE 
The 2^nd in your combination skin care routine is to cleanse your face.

In the morning, choose a lathering facial wash.

• Massage a little of the facial wash onto damp skin. Focus on the more oily areas of your face. 
• Leave the facial wash on for a few moments. This will help to dissolve the grime and dirt. 
• Rinse off with some cool water. 
• Gentle and thorough cleansing will help to keep the oily areas clean and clear the pores on the nose.

In the evening, choose a creamy facial cleanser.

• Apply some cream cleanser onto the skin 
• Massage well. Concentrate on the dry areas of the skin. 
• Wipe off using cotton pads. 
• This will help to keep the dry areas of your skin clean. It will also help to soothe the skin daily.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial cleansers.

TONE 
The 3^rd in your combination skin care routine is to tone your face.

Use 2 different types of facial toners.

For the oily areas, use a stronger toner such as astringent.

Use a mild alcohol-free toner for the dry areas.

Sweep the toner over the skin with cotton pads. Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial toners.

MOISTURIZE 
The 4^th in your combination skin care routine is to moisturize your face.

Use a good moisturizer on the dry areas. Moisturizers work by either increasing the penetration of water into the skin or by reducing the rate at which water is evaporating from the skin surface.

Use 2 types of moisturizer.

In the day, use a light moisturizer.

In the night, use a rich night cream.

• Dot the face with chosen moisturizer. 
• Spread the moisturizer over the entire face with upward circular movements. Concentrate on the dry areas of the skin. 
• Use a tissue to remove any excess moisturizer from the oily parts of the face.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on moisturizers.

OTHER COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIPS
Here are some other combination skin care tips:

• Look for products that normalize your skin, such as those that contain alpha hydroxy acids. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are derived from fruit, milk and sugar cane and have anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin they help remove dead skin cells (exfoliate), giving you a younger appearance.
  
• Use oil-absorbing makeup on oily areas to control shine.
  
• Use sun screens with a minimum SPF of 15.

SENSITIVE SKIN CARE ROUTINE

BE EXTRA GENTLE IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN

Do you have sensitive skin? You need to give it the most gentle sensitive skin care.

Sensitive skin has the following characteristics:

• The skin has a fine texture. 
• The skin looks rosier than others. 
• The skin may be easily irritated, possibly by external factors and products. 
• The skin is more sensitive and prone to allergy and redness. 
• There may be fine and broken veins, usually across the nose and cheeks.

There are different levels of sensitivity.

CHOOSING YOUR SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
When developing a sensitive skin care routine, use extra-gentle skin care products. Choose hypoallergenic skin care products as they have been specially designed for use on sensitive skin. These products do not have any of the common irritants.

Avoid scented products as fragrance can cause itchiness and dryness. It may even cause an allergic reaction.

As part of your sensitive skin care routine, remember to moisturize your skin well. Dryness can make sensitive skin even more uncomfortable.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, try using an evening primrose oil moisturizer. It’s a wonderful natural moisturizer, particularly for dry or very dry skins. It hydrates, protects and soothes. It also improves the skin’s overall softness and suppleness. People with eczema will also find it useful.

If you can’t find any products that do not irritate, cleanse with whole milk and moisturize with a solution of glycerin and rosewater. These should soothe it.

Choose make-up that is hypoallergenic too.

SENSITIVE SKIN CARE STEPS
There are 4 basic steps in the sensitive skin care routine.

REMOVE EYE MAKE-UP 
The 1^st step of your sensitive skin care routine is to remove eye make-up. Choose an eye make-up remover that is meant for sensitive skin.

• Pour some eye make-up remover on a cotton wool pad. 
• Apply gently to remove all eye make-up. 
• Dip a cotton bud in eye make-up remove and remove all last traces of stubborn eye make-up.

Are your using ordinary mascara or waterproof mascara? Choose appropriate products designed for the removal of the type of eye make-up that you are using. Check out this article on eye makeup removers.

CLEANSE 
The 2^nd step in your sensitive skin care routine is facial cleansing. Avoid soaps and facial washes. These will remove oil and moisture from the skin and increase your skin’s sensitivity.

Choose a hypoallergenic, light cleansing lotion instead.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial cleansers.

TONE 
The 3^rd step in your sensitive skin care routine is facial toning.

Avoid commercial facial toners totally. Even the mildest toner can cause the skin’s natural protection to breakdown.

Use the following steps to freshen up your face.

• Splash warm water on your face. This will help to remove all traces of facial cleanser and residual eye make-up remover from your skin. 
• Use a soft towel to lightly pat your face dry. Do not rub the skin as this could irritate it.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on facial toners.

MOISTURIZE 
The 4^th step in your sensitive skin care routine is moisturizing.

It is essential to keep your skin well moisturized. This will strengthen it. The moisturizer will form a protective barrier against irritants.

Choose appropriate skin care products designed for your skin type. Check out this article on moisturizers. 

WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN IN WINTER

Take good care of your skin care during winter with these winter skin care tips. As the winter months sets in, the weather turns colder, windier and drier, your skin will need some extra help and protection from the environment. Sometimes, the weather may change rapidly and you need to be prepared. Otherwise the skin on different parts of your body such as your hands, your face and your lips will begin to become dry, chapped and crusty. 

Is it necessary to have a winter skin care routine?

When the temperatures change, a change in your skin care routine is necessary. Get to know your skin a little, how it works and the effects of winter conditions on the skin. Then adjust your usual skin care routine a little and it will make a difference to your complexion during winter and help to improve the overall health of your skin.

So use the following winter skin care tips to adjust your winter skin care routine as the cold weather draws near.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #1
TAKE A DAILY HOT SHOWER

Taking a hot shower daily is important for the hygiene of your skin. You should do so in winter too. Keep these winter skin care tips in mind when stepping into the shower:

• Avoid harsh (typically colored, fragrant or antibacterial) soaps and stick with mild non-drying soaps.
  
• Apply your moisturizing cream immediately after bathing and toweling dry. This will seal in the moisture. Use moisturizing creams and ointments that are more appropriate for the body than the face.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #2
MOISTURIZING

Choose a really good moisturizer. Without doubt, this is the most important winter skin care tip.

For your day cream, choose one that contains zinc oxide, and provides SPF30 protection. Good Moisturizers should form a protective barrier against the environment and its elements. Select preparations which are creamier and water-in-oil emulsions.

Your skin may become extremely irritated during winter. You should have some extra heavy duty moisturizing cream handy. You will need them for these problematic areas.

Do you have dry skin? The harsh winter conditions will make your skin even more dry. Watch it! Click here for more tips on dry skin care.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #3
TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIPS

Your lips – do not forget about them. Lips become easily chapped during winter. It is a very common and noticeable winter problem. Soften them up and pamper them throughout the winter season.

You should use a lip balm to keep the lips moisturized and prevent them from drying out. The 3 essential qualities of a good lip balm:

• Good moisturizing properties
• Provide a barrier and protects the lips against the elements
• Contains vitamin E for good elasticity

If your lips are peeling, heavy moisturizing alone will not treat the underlying problem or get rid of unwanted peeling skin. Waxes alone do not have any rejuvenation ability. They cannot help to replenish lost moisture. Choose a product that has AHA. Soften the lips nightly. It has a therapeutic effect on the lips.

Are you on Accutane or other medications that has a drying effect on your skin? It is still okay to use the above regimen. Consult your dermatologist. He may be able to prescribe an ointment that will help solve your problem. Or he may get you off your Accutane regimen temporarily. 

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #4
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HANDS AND FINGERS

One of the huge concerns of winter is dry hands and cracking fingers. It is worse if you do a lot of housework or your work requires you to come into contact water or chemicals a lot.

The dryness of the environment causes water to evaporate very quickly. As the water evaporates, it removes moisture from the skin too. So exposure to water actually dehydrates the skin faster.

After washing your hands, seal them with a towel immediately and gently pat dry. You should do the same to your body after a bath.

Such simple habits help to prevent what is commonly known as winter itch. As one age and gets older each year, the likelihood of suffering from winter itch is even higher.

Your hands and your fingers tend to suffer more due to their constant contact with the elements. Use simple hand creams to help protect them against the elements in the environment and retain moisture. Use therapeutic options when the hands are suffering from itch and cracks.

• CREAMS FOR ENIVRONMENTAL PROTECTION
  
  These creams build a barrier between your skin and the cold, dry winter weather. Use a good, bland moisturizing cream frequently.
  
  Use creams and not lotions. Lotions are absorbed quickly into the skin. It will form the protective barrier that is required.
  
  Switch to a cream or ointment base during winter!
  
• THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS
  
  Are you suffering from painful cracks around the fingertips? Do you have hard and dry skin on the hands?
  
  You may need some prescription options or antibiotic ointments to treat and heal the cracks and fissured areas.
  
  Do you have a past history of this type of condition? In this case, plan ahead and keep your regular therapeutic creams handy. Apply them before any fissures form.
  
  Do you have psoriasis or eczemas? Consult your dermatologist and keep your prescriptions and ointments handy. Ask your doctor about the moisturizers that you should use.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #5
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FINGER NAILS

Keep your finger nails moist and prevent them from turning brittle.

One key winter skin care tip is to minimize exposure of your skin to water. The less contact the better.

If you have to do housework, wear protective gloves.

Applying a nail hardener will help to protect and toughen them up.

Take calcium supplements but be sure to follow the dosage given in the package. Are your prone to kidney stones? Check with your doctor before starting them.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #6
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SCALP AND HAIR Do you have seborrhea commonly known as dandruff? Use non-prescription medicated shampoos will help you to keep the condition at bay. Watch out! Medicated shampoos tends to cause your hair to dry out and your hair will lose its shine.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #7
EXFOLIATE During summer, we often complain about oily skin. However, this is noticeably absent during winter due to the drier weather and central heating. Therefore the skin finds it harder to retain water in the dermis layer. Premature agind and fine lines are the result. The skin may also appear grey and puffy.

The number of times that you exfoliate should be increased to twice a week. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and allow the skin to absorb more moisture. 

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #8
DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Try drinking a glass of hot water with lemon. Some people believe that this herbal remedy will help to re-energize your body. It will also help to detoxify your entire system, including the liver and gall bladder. This means that your body will be able to clean the blood faster to get rid of toxins responsible for bad skin.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #9
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

Get plenty of sleep! Sleep is when your body will rejuvenate itself. During sleep, the oxygen levels in your body will drop.

Lack of sleep will take a toil on your body in the long run. If you do not get sufficient sleep, your body and your cells (including the cells in your skin) will not have a chance to be renewed as quickly. Degenerative skin aging sets in.
,br> It would be ideal if you can get at least seven, if not eight or nine hours of rest a night.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #10
DO NOT LET UP ON SUN PROTECTION

Don’t forget your sun protection! The sun doesn’t go away just because it’s snowing or cloudy!

Continue to use your sunscreen with an SPF of 15 that protects against both UVA and UVB. This is an important step in your daily winter skin care routine. The sun ages your skin ... Prevent it!

You may want to change to a more hydrating base for your sunscreen for wintertime. Extra hydration does not mean extra oily. There are many formulations available that are oil-free. Also, wear a sun protective hat.

WINTER SKIN CARE TIP #11
OTHER WINTER SPECIFIC CONCERNS

Winter is the time of the year when skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea flare up. You should have your prescriptions handy. Start on them early. This will cut down on flare ups and treatment time.

Some people report that their acne condition turn worse during winter time. While damaging to the skin, the ultraviolet rays of the sun could have actually help to reduce the formation of acne. So when summer sun is gone, acne may flare up. Again, the best protective action is to have your prescriptions handy. So if you are prone to acne flare-ups in winter, book an appointment early with your dermatologist. You don’t want to wait 6 weeks to get your prescriptions filled or changed.

Be careful of poison ivy! The plant resin could be carried in on logs for your fireplace. To protect yourself, wear gloves when handling the logs and wash your hands immediately after completing this task. Just in case, stash up some poison ivy medicine in your first aid kit.

Last but not least, protect yourself from frostbite. Watch out for frostbite if you are outdoors, at high elevations or in windy conditions or have wet clothings. Change your clothes immediately when coming in from skiing or other winter sports. Carry extra clothing and blankets in your car when traveling. 

OME FACIALS

NO TIME TO GO TO THE SALON?
DO YOUR OWN FACIALS, IT IS JUST AS EFFECTIVE

Facials are usually done in the salon but you can do this equally well at home.

If you are keen on doing it yourself, here are step by step instructions. Try it once a month for deeper cleansing and to see improvements in your skin tone. It will make a difference to your complexion.

There are essentially 6 steps. Before beginning, remove your make-up.

CLEANSE 
Use a non-lathering cleanser.

• Apply the cleansing cream over your face.
• Massage in circular movements over the face and neck. 
• Leave it on for a few minutes to dissolve dirt, grime, stale make-up and oils. 
• Gently wipe off with cotton pads. Do not drag the sensitive skin around the eyes. 
• Rinse off with lukewarm water.

STEAM 
Steaming hydrates and softens the skin. It will help to soften the plugs that cause whiteheads and blackheads.

After steaming, the whiteheads and blackheads can be more easily removed with a mask.

Use the following steps to do steaming at home.

• Drape a towel over your head. 
• Fill a sink or wash basin with hot boiling water. 
• Lean over the top of the basin (about 20 cm away) to capture the steam. 
• Do this for 5 - 10 minutes. 
• Pat the face dry with a clean tissue or soft towel. 
• Cover your fingers with tissue paper before removing any blackheads, gently.

Do you have broken veins or sensitive skin? Skip this step.

Electric facial steamers can also be used.

EXFOLIATE 
Scrubs contain abrasives in a cream or detergent base. They will scrub away accumulated dead cells that make the skin appear dull and lusterless. This will leave your face softer and smoother.

Facial scrubs for acne or oily skins are usually formulated in a detergent base.

Those for dry skin are formulated in a creamy base with some added oils.

• Use warm water to make your face damp. 
• Massage the face gently with a blob of scrub using your fingertips. Do this in circular motions for about 1 – 2 minutes. Avoid the eye area where the skin is delicate. 
• Rinse with warm water.

Skip this step if you have broken veins.

FACIAL MASK 
Do you have oily skin? Choose a clay-based mask.

Do you have a normal or dry skin? Choose a moisturizing one.

• Smooth on a facial mask. 
• Leave the mask on for about 15 – 30 minutes. Check the instructions specified on the product. You should follow the length of time as given. 
• Lie down after applying the mask and relax. You can apply cool eye pads if you like. 
• Use warm water to rinse away the mask. 
• To finish, splash some cool water. This will help to close the skin’s pores and refresh the face. 
• Use a soft towel to pat the skin dry.

TONE 
Do you have dry skin? Choose a mild alcohol-free toner.

• Pour some facial toner onto a cotton pad. 
• Smooth over the skin. Pay attention to oily areas, in particular the T-zone on the forehead, chin and nose. 

MOISTURIZE 

• Dot some moisturizers on your skin. 
• Smooth it over the skin. 
• Massage slowly with circular movements your skin. This will boost blood circulation resulting in a brighter complexion and reducing puffiness. 
• Apply a small amount of eye cream around the eyes. 
• Gently pat it in with your ring finger. The tapping action helps relieve puffy eyelids and also stimulates the acupressure points around the eyes.