Indian Wildlife Club Ezine (November, 2001)

Basic skin types may be classified into five broad categories- normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. The skin is made up of protective layers of cells supported by nerves, glands and blood vessels. Your skin lives and breathes. Cells move up to the surface where they are shed and replaced. This topmost layer is protected by the body's natural oil and moisture. It is essential to carefully plan out a beauty routine to attain a flawless, petal-soft complexion.

The first step to your beauty routine is cleansing your skin. Cleansers are formulated to remove surface grime and dirt as well as dissolve stale make up from the skin. A gentle massage will help to float out deep down make up and other impurities.

How do you recognize your skin type?

NORMAL SKIN ---is finely textured with no visible pores, spots, or blemishes, soft and velvety to the touch, and unwrinkled. Normal skin has to be treasured and preserved, as it is liable to change, if neglected.

OILY SKIN --- is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that give rise to large open pores. Larger pores, in turn, lead to blackheads, blemishes and acne. The appearance of blackheads and blemishes is due to clogged oil and dirt in the pores which is not removed instantly by cleansing. Oily skin begins to have an oily shine within a few minutes after wash or make-up. This makes it difficult to hold make-up. However, oily skin has an advantage of ageing very slowly, but deep cleansing must be thorough.

DRY SKIN --- is a sensitive skin type which comes in blotches, tends to peel off easily and feels tight after a wash. Lack of moisture results in dry skin and this skin type is more prominent around the eyes, mouth, lips, sides of mouth, and forehead. Cleansing, toning, moisturizing form an integral routine of this type of skin. Dry skin is highly susceptible to diet, extremes in weather and harsh perfumed skin care products. Dry skin also has another disadvantage. Wrinkles appear faster giving you a prematurely aged look. A generous application of moisturizer will produce a skin which would be on par with the 'enviable' peaches and cream complexion.

COMBINATION SKIN--- As the word 'combination' suggests it is mix of two different skin types on one face. More often this skin type is the result of a badly cleansed and neglected skin. It is easily recognizable as it is oily down the T panel, that is the forehead, nose, chin. The skin gets this oily look down the T panel while the rest of the face appear and feel dry. Combination skin needs scrupulous cleansing. It is a good idea to use a face mask for oily skin down the T panel and a mask for dry skin for the rest of the face. This method of treating the combination skin works ideally to give a perfect, balanced effect.

SENSITIVE SKIN---- This type of skin is extremely delicate and vulnerable. It is easily susceptible to freckles, itchy spots and blotches. Dermatitis and allergies caused by chemical cosmetics are common problems of a sensitive skin. It is best to discontinue the usage of strong and harsh skin care products as well as perfumed creams and moisturizers.

FACIAL MASSAGE

At least once a week, a deep cleansing routine is a must for a clear complexion. We have seen various types of cleansers which can be used depending on the skin type.

The next step to cleansing is a good facial massage which can be done with the help of a good cold cream or massage oil. Facial massage revives and conditions your skin. It improves blood circulation and erases every tension present in the facial muscles.

A massage is necessary for all skin types. Massage done with the right technique, helps to tone and firm up the sagging muscles. When applying cream use both your hands and stroke gently working your way from throat to chin, to ears, brows to temples and eye area. Start from the outer corner of the eye, move towards the tear duct and move on to upper eyelids. Remove cream using the same technique.

There are oil based as well as moisturizing nourishing creams. Creams, lotions, skin foods, vitaminized creams and anti-wrinkle creams are all nourishing preparations used for various skin types.

OLIVE OIL NOURISHING CREAM

• 3 Tbspn olive oil
• 2 Tbspn coconut oil
• ½ Tbspn bees wax
• ½ Tspn borax
• 3 Tbspn water

METHOD
Heat the oil slightly. Heat and dissolve completely the borax in the water. Slowly add the heated borax water to the oil until the mixture becomes thick. Cool and store in a jar.

VITAMINIZED NOURISHING CREAM

• 1 Tbspn Bees wax
• 1 Tbspn Emulsifying wax
• 3 Vitamin E capsules
• 3 Vitamin A capsules
• ½ Tspn Almond oil
• ½ Tspn borax
• 1 to 2 drops of tincture of Benzine
  

METHOD
Melt waxes by the double boiling method; simultaneously dissolve borax in warm water. Add the water to the wax; beat until it cools slightly. Squeeze out oil from the capsules and add to the mixture. Add a drop of benzine and whisk until it thickens.

ORANGE NOURISHING CREAM

• 2 Tspn witch hazel
• 2 Tspn fresh orange juice
• 2 Tspn glycerin
• 2 Tspn olive oil
• 8 Tspn grated Pears soap
• 4 Tbspn cold water

METHOD
Add water to the soap and heat over a low fire until the soap dissolves. Remove from heat, add olive oil, glycerin, orange juice and witch hazel stirring continuously. Place back on low flame and stir until it begins to thicken. Transfer to a glass jar and allow it to settle for at least 10 days before using it.

EFFECTIVE SUBSTITUTE FOR COLD CREAM
Equal parts of lemon juice and glycerin is an excellent cold cream substitute that may be used at bed time.

Vegetable and fruit based cleansing masks.

Mashed strawberries have excellent cleansing properties.

Ripe, mashed papaya, leaves skin clean, smooth and shining.

Boiled and mashed turnips combined with a little yogurt also cleanses the skin.