Driving along the right Skinway

Ever been besieged by all those cosmetic ads that claim to make your skin better or fairer overnight? But before smothering it with all the creams and lotions you’ve purchased, have you ever asked your skin what it wants?

Skin is your sure shot defense when the outer world takes the hit. Heat, dust, grime, sweat, exposure to sunlight, dry air-conditioned rooms etc, all take a toll on your skin gradually. The skin loses its glow & flexibility which  of course heals by itself but only to an extent.

Take a look at a person’s skin, and you can almost predict her lifestyle. Adequate rest with 7-8 hours of good sleep can’t be replaced with any skincare products because your body repairs your tissues while you sleep. Stay hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily. An oft-repeated one, yes! But do follow this; water is free after all.

And stress and wrinkles are made for each other. Screaming to get something done, managing kids with house chores, handling the office’s handful of deadlines etc are unavoidable. But practicing a good relaxation technique will help. Have some me-time in a week without clouding it with guilt. A healthy diet clubbed with physical activities is the best way to beat stress and keep your glow. Include fresh veggies and fruits, lots of them for the summer and the mirror will reflect some pleasant truths for a change.

Your skin gets less elastic with age and with over exposure to daily pollutants like dust, grime, harsh sunlight etc. Try an anti-aging product (without harsh chemicals) that suits you. Visiting a spa that provides skin rejuvenation therapy is a good idea. Please don’t be stingy in this as most cheap deals are likely to be dubious.

Frankly speaking pigmentation is better avoided as it is almost irreversible and can only be ‘lightened’ using harsh chemical peels and scrubs. Chewing a sugarless gum is a gratifying way to tone up your facial muscles. If you’re trained in any Indian classical dance, you may know more about these facial exercises and the difference they’ll make to your face.

Soft mood-lifting music, aromatherapy etc. are soothing and can aid in having and maintaining flawless skin. This is not exactly modern; but a combination of modern science, age-old natural methods and good old common sense, known to work. Why don’t you give it a shot?