Skin is the largest organ in our body and is also the first line of defence against any infections. When the weather changes, we change our clothes to accommodate the change but most of us don’t do the same with our skin care routine. When the climate is cold, your skin tends to dry and can even lead to cracked. Skin if not properly taken care off and when it’s hot, your skin can turn oily and your pores might get clogged. With the changing weather, it is important to update your skincare routine as well. Dr. Geetika Mittal shares 3 pro-skin care tips that can be followed by people of all skin types:
Watch what you eat
You cannot eat a bowl of chips or unwholesome snacks/ fried foods and expect to have nice, glowing skin. ‘You are what you eat’, the adage is very relevant and there are several skin-friendly foods that can help your skin stay soft, supple and glowing. Foods that contain Vitamin E protect the skin from cell damage and supports healthy growth. Almonds are a wholesome nut that contains healthy fats and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). Which have been shown to impart anti-aging properties that may benefit skin health. According to a recent study, daily consumption on almonds may play a role in reducing wrinkle severity in post-menopausal women. Overall, for healthy skin it’s important to have a balanced diet that includes seasonal fruits and vegetables and nuts such as almonds. Avoid salty foods and sugary drinks. If you really need to eat something sweet, you could probably have some dark chocolate.
Use homemade face masks with natural ingredients for skin care
Facial masks help in skin rejuvenation and also in keeping it moisturized. To apply a face mask, you just need some basic ingredients which are mostly available in Indian kitchens. Wild turmeric also known as Kasturi Manjal is an excellent face mask and is suitable for all skin types. For normal to dry skin you could mix it with milk. And if your skin ranges from normal to oily you could mix it with rosewater or pure Aloe Vera juice.
Another option is applying Aloe Vera gel. You could use a store bought gel that is 100% pure Aloe Vera or you could plant a sapling at home, and pluck leaves to create your own home made gel. Aloe Vera gel is suited to all skin types and apart from rejuvenation it also helps it hydrating your skin so that it stays fresh all the time. It can also be used to treat sun burns and wounds due as it’s known to have anti-inflammatory properties. You could apply any of these face masks twice a week before going to sleep and wash it with room temperature water in the morning for fresher looking skin.
Make an active effort to control your stress levels
Stress can have adverse and irreversible effects on the skin. It can cause premature ageing, acne, and rashes. This is because stress causes a chemical response that makes the skin more sensitive and reactive. Though stress cannot be completely avoided, there are techniques and ways to better manage and control it. The first and foremost thing you need to do is to have a daily skincare routine. Besides that, practice mindfulness i.e. meditate in a way that you relax your body and mind so that you’re acutely aware of environment.
Also, try to do something you enjoy for at least 15 – 30 minutes every day - you could read a novel, learn a new recipe, exercise, or play with your pet. Also, try getting at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Each of these small changes, will definitely contribute to lowering your stress levels. Also, which in turn will positively impact your skin’s health.