Dark and Dull Skin in summers {Reader's Query}

"My age is 25, female. Suddenly my skin become dark in face and arms even though I'm not going in sun. Dark circles are coming. Face become dull. Please tel some treatment. Thanks."

Dark and dull skin is a very normal occurrence in summers. Dark circles are a different issue on a other hand.

Diet

I have long before mentioned that if you ever find your skin getting uneven complexioned, iron deficiency can be one of the foremost reasons. Also, dark circles are an indication of iron levels in your body. So, if you are not sleep deprived or stressed out, this is the reason for those unwelcome dark circles. Try eating a balanced diet. 

Dull and Dark Skin

Dehydrated or oily skin can also look dark. So, keep your skin supple, hydrated and oil-free at all times. Use a good moisturiser to preserve the skin moisture. Using face sprays is also a good way to perk up your skin in intervals. You can prepare one at home as well. Eat foods which will keep your skin hydrated from the inside and drink enough water.

Tips to remove tan

Tomato, cucumber and potato are great for tan removal. You can check out other home remedies for summers here. If used at night, they help in removing tan as well as keeping the skin in supple condition.  

Tanning without sun

UVA rays can penetrate indoors as well and UVA rays are the main cause of pigmentation. So, using spf 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen when indoors is a good measure of protection against these rays and tanning and pigmentation when inside.

Product Recommendation

• Lactocalamine for sun protection when indoors
• Rustic Art Aloevera Gel for improving hydration levels of the skin. Use it only at night as a night cream as it contains lemon extracts.

What else do you suggest?

Image Courtesy: marieclaire.com

Sunscreen and Myths {Skin Care}

[Source:healthmeup.com]

One of the reasons why I am doing many posts on sunscreen again is to raise the awareness that it is an important part of skin care routine. Today, I shall be talking about some of the myths concerning sunscreens. Hope this helps clear some of your doubts.

Myth: Sunblocks are better than Sunscreens

There is no such thing as sunblock and I have mentioned this in one of earlier posts too. Earlier, physical sunscreens (which include Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide) were called sunblocks as they scatter or reflect the sun's rays when they fall int he skin as opposed to being absorbed and converted into heat energy which happens in case of using chemical sunscreens. 

But, now, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), US has passed out certain rules regarding the labelling of sunscreens in which it has banned the use of certain terms "sweat-proof, water-proof, sunblock, dermatologist tested" as they are misleading. I know these rules are not applicable on Indian products but it at least shows that these terms do not really mean anything. 

Even the labels of spf 70, spf 90, spf 100 have been banned. If a sunscreen provides higher protection, it should be labelled as spf 50+. You can see Neutrogena following these labelling standards to get an idea.  

""Waterproof," "sweatproof" or "sunblock" claims. Manufacturers cannot label sunscreens as "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as "sunblocks," because these claims overstate their effectiveness. Sunscreens also cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than 2 hours without reapplication or to provide protection immediately after application (for example-- "instant protection") without submitting data to support these claims and obtaining FDA approval. (Source)"

Myth: SPF 100 gives me better protection than SPF 50

Spf 15 filters out 93% sun's rays, spf 30 filters out 96.4% sun's rays and spf 50 filters out 97.6% (near abouts). And, any spf higher than 50 gives only a marginal increase but there is no sunscreen which can filter out 100% sun's rays. For Indian climate, spf 30 is enough but if you are over-inclined, spf 50 is good. Anything higher is a false claim.

Myth: Layering of products with sunscreen will give me enough protection

I have talked of this issue earlier that spf's of various products do not add up!!! They all act as a single layer of sunscreen and provide the protection of the highest spf factor.

Myth: I don't need a sunscreen when indoors
UVA rays can penetrate through windows and glass. Read this post for more information about them. So, you need at least an spf 15 when staying indoors.

Myth: A drop of my new sunscreen keeps my face protected.
As a rule, you should apply one teaspoon or two fingers length of sunscreen to your face and neck. And, I know that's a lot. But, if you do not apply the said amount, the efficacy of your sunscreen is reduced according to the amount applied. So, even if you are using a spf 50 sunscreen, improper application might be giving you benefits of only spf 10 or 20. So, apply proper amount of sunscreen to protect yourself well.

These are some of the myths I have come across in my course of blogging, the top most being the confusion between sunscreen and sunblock. I hope this post helps to debunk those myths.

My Top 5 Home Remedies this Summer {DIY}

[Source:radiomirchi.com]

Summers are beating the hell out of me and as I said earlier, I am not a fan of this weather at all. I prefer winters. So, I thought I would share my 5 favourite home remedies for skin. 

Tomato

Yes, I am not a fan of lemon. I find it too drying for my skin and its too acidic as well so I prefer to garnish my salads and dals (lentils) and sabzi's (curries) with lemon instead of applying it on face. Tomato is much gentler and equally amazing at almost everything. 

It removes tan, blemishes and dark spots, evens out the skin tone and makes my skin bright and glowing. And, not only that, I can use it on my hair for the extra shine and to undo the effects of sun damage. And, it doesn't leave my skin dry. And, its perfect even for sensitive skins for which is lemon is not really suitable. 

And, since I am lazy, I take a slice of tomato from my salad and rub it on my skin and let ot dry up and then, I wash it off. 

Cucumber

Who doesn't love cucumber in summers? They feel so hydrating and cool to eat and not to speak of their effects on skin. They are again amazing at evening out the skin tone and removing the tan. And, I forgot to say this above but both tomato and cucumber are great on acne and breakouts too. It cools off ths skin inside and outside both. 

Watermelon

Ok, this is not on my favorite fruit list and is highly unlikely it will ever make to one. But, I wouldn't deny that its the fruit which makes me feel refreshing on the name itself and its a favourite among many people. Again, it gives a hydrated skin staying true to its name and also helps with blemishes and tan. 

Coconut Water

Ok, to be frank, I have never used coconut water on my skin. But, I have heard so many people rave about it that it always makes me curious that how well does it do for the skin and hair. But, still, I can't deny the changes it does to skin even from the inside ;D It keeps the body temperature cooler from the inside and is supposed to be amazing for the complexion. 

Buttermilk

Yes, my favorite. Thought I love to drink it more than applying it on my skin, I do that sometimes. And, its just fabulous. Be it tanning or breakouts or blemishes or need for a glowing skin, this one remedy address to all. And, if you can spare a cup of buttermilk, add it to your bath as well. It shows a lot of difference. 

So, those were my favorite home remedies for the summers. What are yours???

Related Posts:

Summer Skin Care Essentials
Dry Skin and Cracked lips in Summers
Take a refreshing Orange Bath
Wear a scarf - Summer Hair Care
Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care
Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water

Summer Skin Care Essentials {Skin Care}

[Source:skinbeautyreview.com]

So, summers have started burning my skin here :( And, yes, I hate summers, a lot. I feel so hot and I don't really like AC's. I am more of a cooler gal!! Anyways, let us go through some summer skin care tips. And, I had meant to put up this post long long back but somehow laziness wore me down :S

• Sunscreen: Must, Must and Very Essential!!!
• Hats/Scarves/Umbrella (a light colored one): Accessories to protect yourself from direct sun rays. 
• Don't go out after 10 and before 5. Rays are very strong. 
• Tanning happens very easily in summers so protect your skin. 
• Drink, Drink and Drink a lot and by drink, I mean water and herbal teas and fruit juices. 
• Shades/Goggles: Get trendy with wrap-around shades which match your face. They not only add a style statement but also protect your delicate eye area from the sun rays and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Day - time Routine

• Cleansing: Don't over-cleanse your face in the heat. I know sometimes the face feels a lot itchy and prickly and the immediate impulse is to wash it off which you should when you have just come back from prolonged exposure to the sun. But, not if your skin just feels the heat. Cleansing the face twice to at most thrice a day is enough. And, get a cleanser which helps control oil.

• Toning: Very very important in summers as skin goes less on the hydration. Make sure you use face mists at regular intervals and apply it just before putting on the moisturiser to trap in the hydration.   

• Moisturiser: Heat is building up so you really don't want a moisturiser which makes you look like an oil pan. Go light and easy on your body lotions and face moisturiser. Go for the oily moisturisers unless your skin too dry. They help control oil and keep the face shine-free.

• Sunscreen: An absolute must and should not be ignored at any cost. Get a stand-alone sunscreen instead of moisturiser with spf claims. And, apply a good amount of sunscreen for adequate protection.

Check out some of my other posts under the heading of Summer Skin Care.

Dry Skin and Cracked lips in Summers {Reader's Query}

Dry Skin and Cracked Lips in Summers are a very unusual occurrence and can be due to the nutritional deficiencies in the body, especially of B-complex Vitamins. So, my first advise would be bring a change in your diet. Eat a lot of Vitamin E (almonds and other dry fruits, take care while eating cashew nuts coz they are high in cholesterol too). If you are a non-vegetarian, then eating fish in huge quantities would be good because it is high in B-complex vitamins. Replace your chicken with fish and other seafood. And, for egg-eatarians, eggs are extremely healthy and rich in B-complex vitamins. Now, coming to vegetarians, don't despair. You too have a lot of choices - cereals, milk and other dairy products, pulses and vegetables.

Now, the most important part of the diet which is often over-looked. Salads. Make a colorful salad everyday and add seeds (lots and lots of them) - flax seeds (which probably are not available in India), sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, papaya seeds and all the other seeds which are available. Seeds have all kinds of minerals and vitamins and you can use them in almost everything from salads to curries and desserts. Seeds and Nuts have essential fatty acids which make the skin soft and supple from inside. So, gorge on them.

Now, let us talk a little about skin care routine. Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize is something you have heard a lot about. So, use skin care products which are suitable to your skin type.

Or, otherwise, you might want to go for besan + milk for a cleanser as an alternative (definitely use it at night). Another alternative is Episoft cleanser. Ask for it in the pharmacy. It is a little difficult to get but the Apollo people generally get it for you. If you are unable to get it, the next best option is Cetaphil cleanser which is available very easily. These cleansers are extremely gentle on the skin and clean it without drying it.

Now, let us talk about a toner. Stay away from alcohol toners in case you are using them. Read the ingredients of your skin products and chuck out all those which have anything saying ethyl alcohol or denat alcohol. But, do not chuck out product having cetyl alcohol. Only ethyl and denat alcohol dry the skin. All others are useful for cleansing process. Or, you can simply use rose water.

Moisturizer is a little tricky coz not all moisturizers suit us so I can recommend Cetaphil moisturizer. I haven't tried it but have heard rave reviews about it so you can give it a try or use something which already suits you.

Apart from the CTM routine, one thing which should not be neglected is exfoliation. Yes, you should exfoliate regularly even if your skin is dry. Twice a week with a gentle exfoliator is good idea. Natural apricot scrubs are a good option or using besan is also another good option. They are gentle and would not harm the skin. And, moisturize repeatedly. Buy a good body lotion which is thick enough like probably Nivea classic might suit you or some other intensive body lotion. Do not have a bath in extremely hot water.

Another good option is oil massage for the body using almond oil or coconut oil or sesame oil once or twice a week. That will moisturize the body very well and also simultaneously exfoliate your skin. Oil is a very good option for removing the flaky skin which is generally a reason for dry skin. Also, while massaging your body, be sure to apply oil in the belly button as it is somehow magically linked to soft lips.

Coming to cracked lips, exfoliate twice a week using the tooth brush or this lip scrub. And, always use a lip balm. Well, I would say don't go for vaseline but go for shea butter or cocoa butter based lip balms. If you are able to find them, well and good. Otherwise, a simple nightly treatment for your lips is to apply a tablet of Evion (Vitamin E) daily on your lips and massage them. Also, include your face in this treatment.

Coming to health reasons, now, you might have naturally a very dry skin for which you can actually visit a dermatologist. The doc will get a few blood tests done and probably would be able to tell you even without the blood tests what is wrong with your skin. So, in case, all the above treatments don't work, go to a dermatologist in 2-3 weeks time. Don't ignore.

And, don't forget, hot temperatures and extreme humidity can also cause dryness of the skin so always keep your skin hydrated from the inside.  

Himalaya Baby Lotion {Product Review}

I did not buy this one but got a smaller bottle for free with the Himalaya baby wipes. I would not review the wipes coz I personally do not like wipes at all. It was an impulse buy thinking that they would be fab but they were just like other wipes. And, anyways, I mistakenly opened the complete packet instead of just removing the top seal and then repacked it but I guess the air was trapped inside and they dried the wipes. So, they are spoiled so I use them as tissue papers now :D Anyways, talking about the baby lotion, I don't know its price since I got it for free.

Ingredients

Well, quite a lot of natural ingredients apart from preservatives.

My Experience

My experience with Himalaya hasn't been very great except for its scrub and fruit face pack so I am quite skeptical about its products. But the baby lotion was nice to use. It has thin consistency and spreads easily. It is a nice lotion for summer usage. Its moisturizing capability is very less (around 3-4 hours) so people with dry skin will probably not be very happy with it. I had to reapply the lotion after sometime. It smells nice and probably would be good for babies coz they do not need as much moisturizing as we do. So, I guess that it does its job. It does make the skin feel supple after it is applied. It will suit oily skin people well instead. It does feel cool when applied which is great in summers.

My Recommendation

It can be given a try by people with oily and normal skin. Dry skin people wouldn't be too happy but if you are looking for a light lotion, this is one among others. And, it is a budget buy too coz Himalaya products aren't that costly.

Take a refreshing Orange Bath

Remember the Orange Sugar Body Scrub recipe I shared a few days back. So, what to do with the orange peels. Throw them!! No way. You can air dry and powder them, right. But, if you don't want to go through all that trouble then you can simply boil the peels in a big bowl of water and wait till the water level drops down to half. You can let it sit overnight if you wish too. Mash the orange peels nicely in the water after the water cools down. The peels breakdown very easily and release the tangy citrus scent. After you mash the peels properly, strain the water and squeeze to extract all the remaining water in the peels. You can dump the peels in your recycling dust bin or compost it in your garden. And, mix this orange water with your bath water. Take a refreshing bath. You will feel alive and your skin will glow after the bath, specially useful in summers for the refreshing citrus flavor which will hang on to your skin for sometime.

Wear a scarf - Summer Hair Care

The summer sun is brilliantly hot and dehydrating for the hair as well as the skin. So, while you hydrate your skin by drinking water and eating hydrating foods, wear a scarf around your head whenever you step out to avoid the sun's rays and pollution. As the sun's rays can dehydrate and parch the skin, they can do the same to the hair leaving them rough and straw like. So, if you are already suffering from a rough and parched hair, try tomato on hair. And, don't forget to get a scarf for the next time you go out.

Now, generally, silk scarves or satin scarves are recommended for hair as they prevent static and keeps the hair hydrated as opposed to cotton which sucks the moisture out of the hair. As much as this is true, I beg to differ from this at least for summers. Using cotton scarves help with the air circulation in the hair which is extremely important otherwise the sweat clogs the hair follicles. Also, for people who like to tie the scarf completely on their faces, cotton scarves are much easier to handle and allow the skin to breathe through it where as silk or satin scarves simply choke and suffocate the nose. Of course, we all know that cotton allows breathing and air ventilation thats why it is preferred in summers. Also, if you use silk scarves, it can result in blocked pores and cause breakouts. So, wear cotton scarves. And, don't forget to moisturize your hair everyday with a hydrating serum or simply use aloevera gel straight from the plant.

Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care

Ok, so summers are really here. And, Hyderabad is already blazing and it will blaze even more in the months to come One thing I have noticed is that my level of hydration has suddenly reduced. I am drinking less water and my skin is becoming parched real soon. Yes, the evaporation levels are high in summers so obviously to compensate this loss of water, we have to drink extra amounts of water. Right??? So. how many glasses of water are you drinking????

Ok, here I would really like to make a point. Is drinking water alone sufficient to keep the body hydrated?? Because, I have a little theory about water levels in the body. I might be wrong but here it goes - our body flushes out unnecessary things, right?? So, if we drink excess of water which body isn't able to store so obviously we make more trips to the loo. And, then, somewhere I read that excess water also flushes out certain minerals and vitamins out of the body which seems plausible and total whacky theory at the same time. A doctor or a skin care can reply better to this. Well, if you can, please feel free to clarify.

So, whatever be the case but I certainly think that drinking water alone is not gonna help much in hydration levels of the body because it has to be done from inside. So, it also depends a lot on the type and amount of food we are eating. Eating hydrated foods will definitely help improve the levels of water in our body. What I am saying is to load up on the foods which are full of water - cucumbers, radishes, onions, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges, all kinds of grapes and berries and fresh green leafy vegetables which have huge amount of water in them. All of these are full of water and taste really good. So, combine them with your regular water intake and see the difference. And, of course, do not forget green tea because you would need anti-oxidants to fight the free radicals created by the sunlight. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen :)

Fresh Summer Skin and Hair Care Masks

Summer is on the high and wreaking havoc on the skin and hair even if you have not been venturing out. Give yourself some soothing time with homemade facial and hair masks and regain your supple skin and bouncy hair. These hair masks include the use of only the most natural ingredients like watermelon, berries, baking soda. So, check out the recipes here.

Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water {Health}

Hey All.....

Today, I am gonna talk about how to get a beautiful skin and hair by drinking right amount of water. Drinking water is very important for our body. It, not only, effects our body functioning, but also, how we look. I know I sound like a tape recorder. But, you would be surprised to know that lot of people know this fact, but do not take the pains to follow it. Even, I get lazy many times to get up and refill the bottle.

Have you ever noticed your skin is dull when you have not had water the whole day or even for some hours. Yes, not drinking water, even for some hours, affects our body functions adversely. Our body is made 70% of water and the cells need water for every reaction they want to carry on. Thus, water is an essential ingredient. Try to increase your intake by one glass every day. It would help you look good, your hair would be healthy and your eyes will be bright. The water will eliminate all the toxins from your body.

You can determine whether you are drinking enough water by the color of your urine. If it is dark yellow, you really need to perk on your system with water. You are drinking enough water when it is colorless. Still, no harm in increasing the quantity. Much of the water is lost through evaporation from the pores. So, do not worry about your numerous trips to the loo. They would be pretty less in summer. But, in winter, you have to bear the brunt of going to the loo a lot of times, if you really want your skin to look good. Because, the air in winter is dry and it takes moisture from your skin. Hence, the skin dries up and becomes dull.

Not only skin, but even, our hair is made up 5% of water and 95% protein. So, to keep hair in a beautiful condition, you need to drink lots and lots of water. It will keep your hair alive and bouncy. Not only that, water stimulates hair growth. If you are facing hair loss, try adjusting the levels of water in your body and you may experience a miracle.

Want to lose weight? Drink water. Yes, its true. It dissolves much of the fat of the body and eliminates it in form of toxins. If you do not like the bland taste of water, you can go for coconut water or fill your bottle with green tea. They both are equally good for your skin, hair and weight.

Lot of talk. Now, coming to the practical stuff, do not ever wait to feel thirsty. Drink water every half hour according to your limit.This will ensure your needs are satisfied. Now, I wanted to talk about situations when we really need to look good but can not drink water. It may be due to lack of water or lack of loos. Yes, people refrain from drinking water because there are no washrooms in the immediate vicinity. It happens to people who work all day on the fields. Not the farms or any crop field, but, I meant about those who do the ground work in their areas or during long travels in buses. For those days, you can carry a large spray bottle filled with floral water, lemon water or green tea and spray the water on your face in regular intervals. The floral water, lemon water or green tea rejuvenates your skin and will not spoil your make up too.

You might be thinking that I did not advise you to use wipes. They are more portable. Yes, they are designed for travel. But, they are extremely drying for the skin. Alcohol is used as a preservative in them. And, they leave a film on the skin which is pretty sticky. And, beware it does not suit every one. So, use spraying water as an alternative.

A tip: Mix moisturizer with 2-3 drops of filtered water and then, apply it on the face. Doing this would retain water content in the skin. And, keep it supple all day long.

Feed lots and lots of water in every way you can to your body.