|
|
Skin Care
|
Quick Links
The skin is one the largest organs of the body
and it performs a range of important functions. It protects delicate
internal tissues against potentially harmful bacteria and provides
a stable and temperature controlled environment for the internal organs.
It receives and sends messages to the brain regarding changes in temperature
or pressure or anything else the brain and body needs to know, produces
lubricating fluids and repairs itself as and when necessary. It expels
and repels harmful substances and absorbs and stores substances important
for health. Wow - when you look at it closely, the skin is quite an
amazing thing ! No wonder it must be taken care of.
SO -
Help prevent wrinkles by avoiding or limiting exposure to the
sun, wind or cold weather.
Reduce alcohol or tobacco consumption - both destroy Vitamin
B and C, which are essential for healthy skin. Try taking a supplement
of A, C, and E vitamins.
The sun will dehydrate and coarsen the skin, making it look
lined and leathery.
Always wear strong sunglasses in the summer - squinting into
the sun is a major cause of wrinkles.
- One of the skin's main functions is to expel waste products,
which it does every hour of every day. Regular cleansing is important
to make sure that these waste products don't accumulate, clog
and block pores and make the complexion dull and lifeless.
- One of the simplest ways is to steam the face periodically,
as long as it is not sensitive or prone to red thread veins. This
will help rehydrate the skin, cleanse pores and eliminate grime.
Simply fill a basin with boiling water and cover the head with
a towel. Add 6-10 drops of your choice of essential oils (Lavender
or Geranium are good) Let the steam work on your face and allow
the face to cool down before applying anything else to the face.
The best present your skin can get is not a cleanse
for it's birthday, or for Christmas, but to develop a regular care
routine.
- Avoid bad habits - like going to bed without removing make-up
first, or forgetting to use moisturiser before battling the elements.
- Use the familiar three step method that woman on the chemist
counter has been trying to get you to do for goodness knows how
long - cleanse, tone and moisturise.
Lips can become dry and flaky from both the cold
and in winter, and from the sun and heat in the summer. This is because
your skin is at the thinnest here and so needs special care to protect
it.
- Always use a lip balm.
- Alternatively, lipstick also provides good moisturising coverage.
- When lips have succumbed to the elements and are dry and cracked,
my beautician recommends an old toothbrush and old faithful -
Vaseline. Put a small amount of Vaseline on the old toothbrush
and gently rub across the affected area. This exfoliates,
removing the dead and dry skin, and pushes the Vaseline deep into
the skin, moisturising it deeply. Bizarre, but it works!
The skin around the eyes is extremely thin and
vulnerable to rough handling as it not protected by basic bone or
supporting tissue underneath.
- When applying moisturiser or eye cream pat or dab, using only
the fingertips.
- Never rub your eyes.
- Avoid this area when using toning lotions, face masks or scrubs
and only use gently cleansers, especially when using eye make-up.
- Never drag or pull the skin when applying cream or cleanser.
Using a moisturising cream for a self massage
to firm and contour the face and neck. This will stimulate blood flow
and help minimise skin blemishes.
| For the Neck |
very gently use long strokes, alternating the sides of the
neck, from collar bone to the jawline |
| For the Cheeks |
very gently, use smooth, upwards and outward strokes from
the chin to the ears, and from the nose to the temples |
| For the Forehead |
very gently, stroke upwards towards the hairline |
| For the Face |
very gently, start in the centre between the eyes, and using
one fingertip, pat in a semi circle, moving outwards above and
below the eye |
This area is one frequently neglected, but one
of the most important as it is the first to show signs of ageing.
- To reduce wrinkling and sagging, you need to include the neck
in your skin care regime. Cleanse, tone and moisturise, just like
the face, but in firm, upward strokes. Vitamin E is also important.
- Toned neck muscles will also help keep the skin on the throat
and neck smooth and taut, and so avoid sagging and wrinkling.
Simply circle the head clockwise and anti-clockwise in one single
movement. Repeat this three times in each direction, inhaling
deeply and holding that breath until the head returns to the upright
position. Then nod your head forwards and backwards. Inhale with
your head upright, move it slowly forward as far as it will go,
hold for a moment. Exhale, move the head upright again, inhale
and repeat three times. Finally, turn the head sideways : inhale
with head upright, exhale whilst turning the head to the side
(same for each side) and repeat three times.
Simply, this involves the removal of dead cells,
dirt and sebum from the skin, leaving the skin fresher and feeling
smoother. It does not as some people seem to think, mean scrubbing
the skin until it's red, irritated and sore. It should be pleasurable,
not painful!
- Those with all but the most sensitive or delicate skin can safely
exfoliate once or twice weekly using a gentle scrub cream. You
can also make you own exfoliating mix - use a teaspoon or two
of sea salt or granulated sugar, mixed with a little vegetable
oil, or oatmeal mixed with a little water. Rub this mixture onto
the face and neck for a couple of minutes, avoiding the eyes and
rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- As an alternative, you can use fruit acids, which can produce
a similar effect due to the AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy acids) contained
within the flesh. Apply the juice or mash up any of the following
fruits : pineapple, papaya, tomato, or any of the citrus fruits.
Leave for 5 minutes and wash off.
|
|
|
|
