24 hours to glowing skin!
Follow this routine for great skin health and see the difference.
What's the one thing that is a sure reflection of your inner health? Good skin and healthy hair, without a doubt.
Beyond the daily cleansing, moisturising or shampoos that are required to keep skin healthy and hair shiny and beautiful, other measures can have a real impact on your looks.
Don't worry that they will add to your daily chores. They may require a bit of time and thought at first, but once you make them a part of your daily routine, you'll see the results coming-looks that are fresh, smooth and healthy throughout your life!
Exercise regularly
As we have said before, regular exercise is very important to get healthy, glowing skin and healthy hair.
Eat right
Add some good sources of vitamins and anti-oxidant nutrients to your diet. Include orange or yellow vegetables such as carrots, winter squash, yellow bell peppers, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, methi and broccoli, and citrus and other fruits in your diet. Use olive, sunflower or vegetable oils, rich in MUFA, for cooking.
Morning 8 am
Wash your face with warm water and a mild facewash. Use a bodywash and a natural loofah for bathing. Do it right
Wet your face with tepid to warm water.
Place a small amount of facewash on your palm.
Use a soft sponge to gently rub it all over the face.
Splash your face with running warm water several times to rinse off the facewash properly.
Choose your facewash depending on your skin type. For instance, go for an oil-free formulation if you have oily skin; and an alcohol-free cleanser in case of dry skin.
Massage your body with oil, if you have the time, before your bath.
Use a mild bodywash and a natural loofah (to exfoliate).
Apply a body lotion while the skin is still damp for better moisturisation. Skip it, if the weather is humid.
After the skin is cleansed, apply a sunscreen. This is a must. You should use it even if you are indoors. It's best to go for a brand that gives you both UVA and UVB protection and has an SPF of 30 or more. Various reputable brands such as Neutrogena and VICHY are available. A sunscreen will also keep your skin moisturised.
Tips to keep skin healthy:
Diet Have lots of fruits and colourful vegetables; these have powerful anti-oxidantsExercise At least half an hour. It is essential to boost your circulation8 am Use a sunscreen daily with SPF 30 or more11 am Use moisturisers with anti-oxidants like Vitamins A,C and E1 pm Go for skin-polishing or peels done by a dermat, if required7 pm Use mild, liquid facewash and shower gels10 pm Apply a good night cream on your face, neck and hands. Massage your feet with olive/sunflower oilAny time Splash cool water on your face several times a dayGo for a relaxing facial once in 3-4 weeksTake vitamin supplements Vitamins A,C,E and B-complex along with minerals
Mid morning 11 am
At this time it is appropriate to apply daytime moisturisers as they are lighter and are quickly absorbed by the skin.
If you are 30-plus, opt for brands that contain antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and E.
These moisturisers help fight damage caused by pollution, sunlight, stress and smoke.
Spritz your face with water to hydrate it.
Snack on nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, to get skin-healthy fatty acids.
Afternoon 2 pm
Re-apply the sunscreen if you are to step outdoors.
Spritz water on the face.
Wash your hands and apply a moisturiser while they are still wet. This will help keep them soft and supple.
Evening 7 pm
Once you get back home from work or the outdoors, wash your face with a facewash and cold water.
Snack on fruits, and sip green tea to get anti-oxidants.
Soak your feet in warm water to get relief from tiredness. Add an essential oil, such as lavender, to feel refreshed.
While doing house/kitchen work wash your hands with liquid handwashes for better care of your hands.
Night 10 pm
It is a myth that you should not apply anything on the skin at night to allow your skin to 'breathe'. The fact is that most moisturisers and night creams contain special ingredients that give best results when used at night.
Applying a vitaminenriched cream also helps. Vitamin A reduces sun damage to the skin; Vitamin C prevents wrinkles and Vitamin E helps enhance the effects of Vit C on the skin.
Use anti-ageing cream on your hands and neck as well. In case of very dry hands, massage them with olive oil.
De-stress before going to sleep. Watch a sitcom, read, chat with your kids, listen to soothing music, take a warm bath or simply meditate for 10 minutes. This will help you sleep better. Getting a good night's sleep of 7-8 hours goes a long way in keeping your skin young and healthy.
Easy home-made packs for softer, younger hands and feet
Mix pomegranate juice with soya flour and make a paste. Put on hands and feet after washing them with warm water and a mild handwash. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse.
Take papaya paste, mix with mashed apples. Clean your hands and feet with warm water, massage them with sunflower oil and then apply paste on them. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse
Take aloe vera gel; add some turmeric and a little tomato juice to it. Massage hands and feet with almond oil and then apply this paste. Leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse And if your skin feels dry, apply a light moisturiser.
