11 February 2017 Tweet
Valentines Day Skin & Hair Care
It is true that we should love and be kind to our significant others, family and friends every day, but sometimes we need that reason to go above and beyond. Beyond loving each other, it’s a time to remember to love ourselves. It’s a great time to pamper ourselves and commit to treating our skin and hair to healthy nurturing ingredients.
Cozy up with a vitamin C serum : Vitamin C helps to promote blood circulation (therefore detoxing the skin), decrease uneven skin tone, and brightening your complexion.
Kiss your skin with some alpha hydoxy acids : A little extra exfoliation helps to get rid of the layers of dead skin cells that sometimes build up in cooler months and cause a dull complexion. Add a glycolic cleanser three to four times a week. Alternatively a glow peel with a dermatologist once in two weeks will definitely excavate your glow. Such skin lightening treatments can be done for any areas which are darker or uneven such as back, neck, arms or legs.
Commit to complete moisture : Cold weather slows oil production and harsh wind can abuse the skin. Look for skin replenishing lipids such as ceramides, shea butter, and healthy botanical oils like jojoba and argan oils. Be careful of going too heavy on moisturizers if your skin is oily or acne-prone. When in doubt, apply layers of moisture in the form of serums and oil- free, non-comedogenic moisturizing creams.
Use a good sunscreen : If you are planning a day date with your partner make sure you apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before heading out to the sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or more when you step out in the open. Use a lip balm to keep your lips soft and supple. Lip balm with SPF works better.
Use Aloe Vera : Aloe vera has many benefits for the skin. It has antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria that cause acne, anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated skin, and astringent properties that help heal scars. Plus, aloe vera moisturises the skin and stimulates new skin cell growth.
Banana Cream Mask for Skin Glow : Mash ½ ripe banana. Add 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Care of feet : The brunt of the activity is taken up by your feet when you work, so make sure your skin care includes pampering of feet too. Keeping the feet moisturised is the best way to get smooth feet. In the evening, dip your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub off dead skin from the heels, wash and dry them with a towel. Apply a good amount of foot cream, and wear socks before going to bed. Use anti fungal creams if you have a fungal infection. You can also go for nail art to match your dress for the occasion.
Oil your hair : Use hair massages for scalp and hair, keep the oil overnight and then either visit a hair spa or wash with a good sulfate free shampoo with conditioner at home. Repeat the process every week to keep hair nourished, shiny and damage free. However avoid overnight oiling if your scalp is prone to dandruff.
Style wisely : Say no to hair dryers/ flat irons/ curl irons. These hair styling instruments work on the principle of heat, which when used make matters your hair look dull and dry after a while. Instead, use the cool setting of the dryer which though may take longer to dry but it would retain the moisture. Choose wooden hair brushes or combs instead of plastic. This is to fight the static hair caused by absence of moisture. Make sure you visit a dermatologist who is a true trichologist , for any hair or scalp concerns such as hairfall, hair thinning or dandruff, at the earliest, as love is in the hair, this Valentine's Day !
Your skin and hair needs time and care for rejuvenation and regeneration. Without basic care, improving your skin and hair condition and tone would be a difficult task. This is why you need to follow certain skin care basics to ensure a youthful, glowing skin. As we are just a few days away from the big day these tips will help you glow and look beautiful for this Valentine's Day!