Beauty, Just Skin Deep

Not all of us women are born ‘Snow Whites’. Perhaps, that is one reason why most of us suffer from the ‘Mirror Mirror on the Wall… Syndrome’, a condition where one is compelled to peep into the mirror repeatedly basically, to reassure that the wrinkles or pimples are not too apparent yet.

It is indeed, hope, that keeps the beauty industry going. The hope, that you will some day get a glowing, problem free skin and long, lustrous hair. The hope, that you too, will look beautiful. It is this ‘hope’ that prompts us to invest huge sums in trying out face-creams, shampoos, soaps and an endless range of the so called 'beauty products'.

According to Renu Chedda, a beautician, “As much as 1/10th of the total advertising airtime is spent on products dedicated to a clear skin.” Ladies across all age groups are grossly ignorant of even the basic care that their skin requires, are lured by the tall promises of cosmetic giants and thus land into a thick soup. Many don’t even know their skin types but nevertheless keep trying one product after the other, because they are hopeful that “this one will work!”

So, is having perfect skin that big a deal? Well, not really! Here-z a complete guide to achieving the beauty that you have so often dreamt of –

1. Recognizing Your Skin Types: Your skin can be dry, oily or a combination. Each skin type requires specific care because each skin type has its own set of dos and don’ts. Take a simple step to identify your skin type. Dab your fore head, nose and chin with a three strips of tissue paper. If all three are spotless, you have a dry skin. If all have spots, you have an oily skin and if some strips have spots and some don’t, you have a combination skin. A combination skin type is the most common of all and an oily skin type is most difficult to manage since it is prone to pimples.

2. Cleansing: Wash your face with a face wash alone and one which is meant for your skin type. Avoid using soaps on your face for they seriously disturb the Ph balance of your skin and are hence harmful. Wash your face about two or three times a day and not more. Too frequent washing will wash away all natural oils present in your skin. Don’t forget to give your face a wash well before you hit the bed and never…never doze off with make up on.

3. Toning: Use a good toner. Once again, remember to use one, suitable to your skin type. A toner or a salicylic acid formula helps retain the Ph balance of your skin that may have been disturbed due to the use of a cleanser. Take some toner on a small piece of cotton and gently pat in on your face. Let the toner dry up all by itself.

4. Moisturizing: Just like a toner, your moisturizer too must be chosen in accordance with your skin. Dot on your face and neck and gently blend. A moisturizer for your face and lip balm for the lips with an SPF or a Sun Protection Factor is best. Select one with a minimum of 15 SPF. The belief that, “I wouldn’t need an SPF because I’m going to be at home or office,” is a gross fallacy. The truth is no matter where you are you must have an SPF on 24/7, to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the Sun’s ultra violet rays.

5. Exfoliating: It helps one get rid of dead skin. For exfoliating your skin, gently rub your body with a scrub or a wash cloth. Scrub your body once a week and follow it up with moisturizing.

6. Eating Right: “Eating right can improve our looks to a tremendous extent," says Perricone, an expert on eating your way to superb skin.

a) Include the right kinds of proteins in your diet. Protein rich food like egg whites, fish, chicken and ground nuts are a must for cell repair and keep aging in check.

b) Fats are a must too. Fats provide youth preserving antioxidantsdefine and anti-inflammatory protection. Regular use of extra virgin olive oil will not just make you look beautiful but also, reduce your bad cholesterol.

c) Keep your carbs under control. They are your skin’s biggest foes. Although they cannot be completely ignored, it is advisable that you control them wisely by including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

d) Take to drinking…..a lot of water. Have at least 8 to 10 glasses of water in a day. They assist a natural wash out of toxins from your body and help increase the efficiency of your organs.

7. Sleep and Rest: In order to truly look gorgeous, get a good eight hour sleep. It would help you put a lot of your problems at bay. A good night’s sleep would not only keep under eye circles away but also help your body to actively get rid of toxins at night. In addition, it happens to be a prime ache moderator and stress reliever.

8. Exercise: There is no short cut to getting a beautiful skin. Moreover, a healthy skin is only a reflection of a healthy body. A cardio vasculardefine routine is what is needed to give you the desired glow. Such an exercise regime stimulates blood flow throughout the body ensuring healthy skin as well as hair.

A smile is all that you require now to capture the whole wide world!