By Shahnaz Husain
The skin is one of the first organs to bear the brunt of pollutants and impurities found in the air, water and make-up cosmetics. When humidity is high and the skin is sweaty, the impurities tend to stick to the skin.
The question of cleansing assumes more importance to us city dwellers, as we have to contend with an increasingly polluted atmosphere.
Cleansing the skin at night, before bedtime, is very important. The best way to remove make-up is to use a cleansing cream or gel, which would help to soften and dissolve the make-up and allow easy removal. It is useful for removing eye make-up and lipstick. To remove foundation and blush on, apply the cleanser on the face with a light massage and then wipe off with moist cotton wool. If you have oily skin, use a face wash or cleansing lotion to remove make-up. Apply it on the face and wipe off with moist cotton wool. The area around the ey should be wiped gently with a cleansing gel. To remove mascara from upper lashes, put cleanser on moist cotton wool and wrap it around your index finger. Brush the cotton wool through the lashes from underneath. To remove mascara from the lower lashes, use a cotton bud, which has a little cleanser on it.
Also clean the corners of the eyes with a cotton bud. To remove lipstick, put cleanser on moist cotton wool and gently wipe in an inward direction, from the corners to the center.
We also need to protect the skin from the sun. This can be done by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which provides protection from both UV-A and UV-B rays of the sun. Sun exposure can also cause loss of moisture from the skin. However, most sunscreens have built-in moisturizers. For oily skin, look for an “oil-free” sunscreen gel. It is essential to apply sunscreen, not only on the face, but also on all exposed areas. The back of the neck and arms are extremely vulnerable to sun damage too. The sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before sun-exposure. A sunscreen with SPF 20 or 25 is adequate for most skins; if the skin is more sensitive, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Last, but not least, as seasonal changes take place it is necessary to adjust the daily skin-care routine to protect skin beauty. Select products according to skin type.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty Icon!
