SKIN CARE BASICS
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Skin-Care BasicsYour skin is a bellwether to your overall health. If you're not healthy, it will be reflected in your complexion. But that doesn't mean you should neglect your skin even if you're feeling fine. In this article, we cover a wide range of skin-care topics -- such as hands and nails, makeup, perfumes and colognes, blemishes, and even homemade skin-care aids. We'll start with the basics.Basic Skin Care
Always wear a moisturized sunscreen when outdoors, winter and summer. The sun's rays can burn you even if the air feels cool, and sunlight reflected off water or snow can be particularly powerful.
No matter what your skin type is, use a protective sunscreen when you are in the sun; don't expose your skin for more than 15 minutes. Don't forget to use sunscreen on your face and the back of your hands because these are constantly exposed to the sun's rays.
Always remove your makeup before going to bed.
If you usually wear makeup, give your skin a chance to breathe one day a week by going without.
If your face tends to be puffy in the mornings, keep skin freshener, astringent, and cotton pads for your eyelids in the refrigerator for a quick pick-me-up.
Rub moisturizing lotion on your legs before applying shaving cream for a smoother, softer finish when removing leg hair. Men who have normal to dry skin can also benefit from this technique.
Use a humidifier to lessen the drying effects of indoor heat on your skin in the winter.
A humidifier can lessen the effects of winter-dry air.
Take baths in the evening to avoid exposing your skin immediately to outdoor air. In the next section, we'll shift from the basics to something more specific: caring for your hands and nails.
An Herb-Scented Skin TonerTo make your own herb-scented skin toner, use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, and add the following flower or herb petals of your choice. Spray on the skin as desired to freshen.For dry skin: violet, rose, borage, or jasmineFor oily skin: peppermint, marigold, rosemary, or lavenderFor sensitive skin: violet, salt burnet, parsley, or borageFor normal skin: lemon balm, rose, spearmint, or chamomile.
Always wear a moisturized sunscreen when outdoors, winter and summer. The sun's rays can burn you even if the air feels cool, and sunlight reflected off water or snow can be particularly powerful.
No matter what your skin type is, use a protective sunscreen when you are in the sun; don't expose your skin for more than 15 minutes. Don't forget to use sunscreen on your face and the back of your hands because these are constantly exposed to the sun's rays.
Always remove your makeup before going to bed.
If you usually wear makeup, give your skin a chance to breathe one day a week by going without.
If your face tends to be puffy in the mornings, keep skin freshener, astringent, and cotton pads for your eyelids in the refrigerator for a quick pick-me-up.
Rub moisturizing lotion on your legs before applying shaving cream for a smoother, softer finish when removing leg hair. Men who have normal to dry skin can also benefit from this technique.
Use a humidifier to lessen the drying effects of indoor heat on your skin in the winter.
A humidifier can lessen the effects of winter-dry air.
Take baths in the evening to avoid exposing your skin immediately to outdoor air. In the next section, we'll shift from the basics to something more specific: caring for your hands and nails.
An Herb-Scented Skin TonerTo make your own herb-scented skin toner, use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, and add the following flower or herb petals of your choice. Spray on the skin as desired to freshen.For dry skin: violet, rose, borage, or jasmineFor oily skin: peppermint, marigold, rosemary, or lavenderFor sensitive skin: violet, salt burnet, parsley, or borageFor normal skin: lemon balm, rose, spearmint, or chamomile.
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HAND AND NAILS
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Hands and NailsYour hands and nails say a lot about you. If you care for them properly, you'll feel healthier. Consider these suggestions:
When nails chip excessively, it may be caused by the use of nail polish remover. Leave your nails unpainted for a few days to see if the condition improves.
When you're preparing anything with lemon and vegetable juices, which contain acids that are hard on your fingernails, rinse your hands often under cool running water.
To break the habit of nail biting or cuticle chewing, carry a tube of cuticle cream with you. Whenever you start to nibble, put the cream on your cuticles instead. You'll promote healthy nails and possibly break yourself of a bad habit.
To rescue nail polish that has become hardened or gummy, place the bottle into a pan of boiling water for a few seconds to get the polish flowing smoothly again.
To soften cuticles, soak hands in a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon of dish-washing liquid.
To soften cuticles, use a solution of water and dish-washing liquid.
For an emergency treatment for dry, chapped hands, soak your hands in a bath of baby oil mixed with sesame oil.
Apply hand cream before putting on rubber gloves to prevent your hands from drying.
Before putting on rubber gloves, apply hand cream.
When nails chip excessively, it may be caused by the use of nail polish remover. Leave your nails unpainted for a few days to see if the condition improves.
When you're preparing anything with lemon and vegetable juices, which contain acids that are hard on your fingernails, rinse your hands often under cool running water.
To break the habit of nail biting or cuticle chewing, carry a tube of cuticle cream with you. Whenever you start to nibble, put the cream on your cuticles instead. You'll promote healthy nails and possibly break yourself of a bad habit.
To rescue nail polish that has become hardened or gummy, place the bottle into a pan of boiling water for a few seconds to get the polish flowing smoothly again.
To soften cuticles, soak hands in a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon of dish-washing liquid.
To soften cuticles, use a solution of water and dish-washing liquid.
For an emergency treatment for dry, chapped hands, soak your hands in a bath of baby oil mixed with sesame oil.
Apply hand cream before putting on rubber gloves to prevent your hands from drying.
Before putting on rubber gloves, apply hand cream.
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