Who wouldn’t like to possess a healthy glowing skin? It does not take constant trips to the parlor or frequent touch-ups to make skin healthy. All it takes is a bit of care. Here are some tips to help you in keeping your skin healthy.

• Stay away from the sun. Especially from 10 A.M to 4 P.M when the sun’s rays are intense and can cause damage to your skin and hair.

• If you cannot stay indoors during this time, remember to wear protective clothing like full sleeved shirts, pants and denim jeans. Use sunscreen when you go outside. Choose sunscreen lotions with SPF15 or higher. Apply sunscreen liberally over your face and hands.

• Always cleanse and moisturize your skin. For cleaning your skin, use a gentle cleanser or mild soaps. Your cleanser should remove all traces of makeup and debris. After cleansing, it is a good idea to use a toner and follow up with a moisturizer.

• A good moisturizer is essential for healthy skin. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin and prevent it from losing water. Choose a moisturizer according to your skin type. If you have dry skin, use oil-based creams. If you have oily skin, you can opt for light lotions or you can skip moisturizing altogether. People with sensitive skin should avoid buying creams with dyes or perfumes. Go in for moisturizers which offer sun protection.

• Using moisturizers is not enough to keep your skin hydrated. You also need to drink plenty of water, so that your skin can replenish the moisture it loses during the day.

• Unwanted hair can be easily removed by shaving but it can cause damage and irritation to the skin. If you choose to shave, use clean, sharp razors and always shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it. Lubricate your skin with gels or foam before shaving so that skin does not get irritated.

• If smoking is a vice you are given into, stop it for the sake of your skin. Smoking causes damage to the blood vessels beneath the outer layer of skin, thereby depleting the supply of oxygen and nutrients. This in turn leads to loss of collagen and elastin from the skin, ultimately resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.

• Drinking is also bad for your skin. Alcohol reduces the moisture content from your body, causing wrinkles and premature aging.

• Use homemade face masks and scrubs. They are natural and protect your skin from the chemicals present in commercially available products.

Here are some good home remedies for healthy skin:

• Use scrubs made from oats mixed with honey, yogurt and ground almonds.

• Combine cucumber juice with milk to get a good cleanser.

• To refresh your skin, rub a lemon wedge over it. Rose water is also great for fresh skin.

• Dried and powdered orange peel mixed with milk makes excellent bleach.

• Sandalwood powder mixed with rosewater and glycerin makes a great face pack for skin which has begun to show signs of aging.

• You can also make face masks using papaya or pumpkin.

• A healthy diet is essential for healthy skin. Make sure that your diet includes plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is vital for healthy skin so are anti oxidants. Orange juice and berries contain high amount of antioxidants so, include these in your diet.

Jason Ladock

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