Keeping the skin properly hydrated is the key to maintain a glowing skin during the winter. Cold air is drier and leads to your skin drying and cracking very easily. To counter this problem, moisturize more frequently than during the summer. Buy a humidifier to replenish the moisture in your home.

Do not be tempted by enjoying a hot shower in the cold days. Hot water evaporates rapidly, and can dry your skin. Use lukewarm water for your shower. Apply a moisturizer immediately after coming out from the shower. This will seal in the moisture from your skin.

Use gentle liquid face wash instead of soap, to clean your face. Soap can have a dehydrating effect on your skin. Choose products like aloe and glycerin, which are hydrating agents. They replenish the moisture in your skin.

Cover your face and body from cold and wind while venturing out. Apply lip protection frequently to prevent chapping. Do not forget to apply sunscreen as the ultraviolet rays are present even during winter and the snow can reflect the sun’s rays, causing damage to the skin.

Moisturize and then cover your feet with light cotton socks while going to bed to treat dry feet. Covering enables the pores of the skin to absorb moisturizer effectively.

Minimize the use of antibacterial gels and wipes. They consist of alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin.

Skin care is one of the areas that have made extensive use of aromatherapy. Here we give the methods for facial cleansing and cell regeneration.

FACIAL STEAM: Put 3-5 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of milk or honey and dissolve it in a pint of steaming hot water. Pour this steaming hot solution in a stainless steel bowl and lean over it with face directly above the bowl. Cover your head with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping into the air. Inhale the steam and relax till the water-cools down. You can also put the oils in a facial steamer. As these oils do not dissolve in water, you should use a dispersant, before adding to a facial steam or bath. Water can result in the oils penetrating your skin very quickly, leading to irritation of the sensitive or damaged skin.

FACIAL MASQUE: Put 2-3 drops of essential oils in moistened clay, honey, mashed avocado, or egg white. Wet your face lightly and apply this masque. Keep it on for 10-15 minutes till it starts drying and hardening slightly. Wash your face properly to remove the masque completely. Your face will appear and feel well toned, fresh and hydrated. Do this process every week.

FACIAL OIL BLEND: Depending on the type of your skin, choose an essential oil blend. Add not more than 10 drops of this oil to an ounce of carrier oil. You can use any type of oil as carrier oil, including vegetable oil. Frankincense is suitable for any skin type, German Chamomile is ideal for sensitive skin and Rose and Frankincense work wonders for aging skin. Apply this oil blend lightly to the areas of your face that you want to nurture and heal.

If used properly, essential oils are totally natural, safe and effective method of improving your overall health. They can yield excellent results where all other methods have flopped. But these oils are very expensive. There are cheaper imitations of these oils available in the market. They contain harmful chemicals that do not have any medicinal use. Avoid them and instead opt for ethically wild crafted or pure, organic essential oils, free from pesticide.

Heredity is believed to be the primary cause of sensitive skin. You cannot cure it, but can minimize the irritations resulting from usage of strong products and irritants. Daily use products can cause itching or burning as soon as they are applied. Skin care products, soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners and cosmetics are the other irritants. If you have this problem, use products that do not contain dye and fragrance.

For highly sensitive skin, select products very carefully to lessen the chances of suffering from allergic reactions. Buy products that are hypoallergenic as they do not contain any harsh chemicals. Avoid products that contain fragrance as the alcohol in the fragrance can irritate your skin.

Cosmetic manufacturers use various chemicals, colors and fragrances. Chemicals retain the makeup for a long time and increase the shelf life of the product. But they can cause irritation to your skin. Instead of choosing cosmetics with chemicals ingredients, use cosmetics with natural constituents, depending on your skin type. Mineral makeup is ideal for your skin as it does not have any synthetic components to irritate your skin.

Dry skin is another problem. Very dry skin can show aging signs much earlier. Fine lines are another problem that can be treated in many ways. Apply an oil free moisturizer meant for your skin type to moisturize the skin. Choose a lotion consisting entirely of natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Apply moisturizer both in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. Facial peeling occasionally can minimize wrinkling and other aging signs.

It can be a problem if you have sensitive skin as well as acne. Most of the treatments for acne contain strong chemicals, which can irritate your skin and aggravate your condition. Use only the natural products for acne. Buy gentle cleansers, meant for your skin type. Do not wash your skin frequently as it can irritate the skin.

To reduce inflammation, apply an ice pack on the affected skin twice a day. Do not pluck the blemishes to prevent irritation of the skin and pimples from affecting other parts of the face. Ensure adequate intake of water to keep your skin flushed and the pores clean. Avoid sun as much as possible. If you have to go out in the sun, apply a non-greasy sun block to prevent overexposure from the sun.

If your acne is serious, simple skin care routine may not help. Go for a deeper exfoliation like facial peel. The ideal product for the sensitive skin is Esthetician’s Choice, which has been used for over 30 years and can be used as a surface peel.

Your skin contains millions of pores that secrete oil or sebum. Sebum retains the health of your skin by lubricating and moisturizing it. When the pores of the skin are blocked, problems like acne start. If the pore is open, sebum oxidizes and becomes black. When the pore closes, bacteria start growing and leave a white residue, hence the name whitehead. Though it resembles a normal pimple, both are different. Blocking of pores is called comedone.

Do not squeeze or pluck the whitehead without proper care. Improper handling can result in the breaking of the skin, making it prone to infections and can leave a permanent scar. Using a comedone remover is the only appropriate method for removing whitehead. It is a stainless steel tool with a loop design to clear the skin of the whitehead without hurting the skin.

A comedone remover is very easy to use. First, steam your face with a hot washcloth or have a bath and then use the tool. This makes it very easy to remove only the whitehead, without touching the skin close to it. After you break the whitehead, press the loop over the whitehead to remove the dead materials. After finishing the process, wash your face with warm water to clear all the remnants of the pore.

If you find this method difficult, applying a cream or gel meant to cure blackhead, will also be effective. Many of these treatments consist of retinoid to hamper the growth of the whitehead, before it escalates into a major problem.

Choose either a retinoid cream or lotion to moisturize the skin and remove the blockage, suitable for your skin type. Before using this method, consult a dermatologist to find out the right treatment for you.

If you do not want any home remedies, ask your dermatologist about the specific procedures to clear whiteheads. These procedures are the best in certain cases and can be conducted only by the qualified dermatologist.

Your skin uses two ingredients for oiling and softening it. They are water and oil that makes your skin more permeable in different ways. The word “moisture” refers to various combinations of these two types of skin components. When you swim vigorously below any water for a long time, it makes your skin dry. Salt water scrubs away the skin oil.

Excessive intake of salt strips the skin of moisture. If you are moderately dehydrated, drink water with a pinch of salt added to it. If you are severely dehydrated, visit a doctor. He will inject saline solution that is simply salt water, in your blood. This will help you recover faster.

Increasing your water intake with a pinch of salt added to it will keep your skin moist. You will not suffer from dry skin, chapped lips and cracked heels. This is the cheapest remedy for dry skin.

Wash your face with a cleanser that cleans without drying the skin. Wash your face with warm instead of lukewarm water. Do not use harsh medicated soap or cleansing lotion. Prevent your skin from becoming dry and taut, which will increase the clogging of pores. Try to wash your face 2 or 3 times everyday. In between 2 cleanings, remove extra oil by using either an antibacterial astringent or acetone-based astringent.

Weekly application of clay or mud mask will not only clean your skin but also reduce secretion of oil. Use gentleness when cleaning or washing your face. If you suffer from oily skin and not acne, go for a facial sauna made with lemongrass, licorice root, and rosebuds. Choose moisturizers that have antiseptic properties or no oil.

Use noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic moisturizers. Noncomedogenic moisturizers keep the pores open while nonacnegenic moisturizers prevent inflammation of the pores. Choose products containing benzyl peroxide that plays an important role in minimizing the production of oil secreted by glands. Use only water-based cosmetics.

The best skin care routine for an oily skin includes regular cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin with cosmetics meant for oily skin. Search the net for the products and compare and shop for the best products and supplements meant for oily skin. You can compare the prices and product efficiency while sitting in the privacy of your home. This gives you an effective treatment for oily skin at a reasonable cost.

B vitamins are vital for skin health. Deficiency of vitamin B2 leads to oily skin. Wheat germ, egg yolk, Brewer’s yeast, organ meats, nuts and beans are good sources of B vitamins. Minimizing your intake of fat, oil and sugar will reduce the skin problems and improve your overall health.

Modern farming methods have depleted the soil of essential nutrients. Besides, processing and storing food for long destroys certain nutrients. So the food that you eat does not contain all the necessary nutrients. To overcome any nutritional deficiency, take some supplements. Take a multivitamin according to your age and sex. Combine it with additional vitamin A to get 10,000 IU daily and vitamin B complex. You can also take primrose oil (500 mgs) and flaxseed oil (1,000 mgs) to improve the health of your skin.

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It removes the toxins from your body through kidneys and liver. It helps in replenishing the moisture lost through sweat, breath and urine.

If possible, avoid stress. Stress worsens the skin problems. Do meditation or deep breathing exercises for relaxation.

Following the above dietary guidelines will treat rosacea, a skin disease that resembles acne and skin problems due to old age.

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and sunshine is the best source of this vitamin. Just a little time in the sunshine during early morning ensures you get your daily supply of vitamin D. Stay out of sun from 12 noon to 2 pm. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. These rays can damage skin, cause wrinkles and skin cancer.

Apply sun block at least 20 minutes before going out. It prevents burns and minimizes the risk of cancer and cataracts. Purchase a sun block who’s SPF is 15 or more.

If you experience intense burning sensation after staying out in the sun for a long time, rub tonic lotion over the affected part. Tonic lotion provides relief from the burning sensation and heals it faster. Keep your skin fresh and clean, eject dead cells along with excess oil by applying cleanser and tonic lotion.

Insects thrive in summer. Buy insect repellents, creams and lotions to relieve the reddening and burning sensation. If you have sensitive skin, consult your doctor to find the right creams and lotions for you.

Provide your body with adequate supply of nutrients. Your diet should include foods with plenty of selenium, beta-carotene, vitamin A, C and E. Meat, crab, shrimps, cheese, etc. are good sources of selenium. Beta-carotene and vitamin A are present in carrots, egg yolk, fish liver oil, etc. Oranges, lemons, and pineapples provide vitamin C. Vitamin E, needed to slow down aging and is present in milk, butter, nuts and vegetables

Apply only oil-free foundations, powder blushers and powder eye shadows. Foundation should be used after bathing on the eyelids and lips. This ensures your cosmetics remain on your face for longer time.

Cleaning your face with mild soap and water twice or thrice daily will minimize the secretion of oil.

If you are outside, use baby wipes if your skin is sensitive to clean your face. Then re-apply your makeup. Apply dry facial masque once per week. Cover your face with hot, steaming washcloths and then apply the masque to open up the pores. This cleans your pores thoroughly.

Before going to bed, use oil-free moisturizer. For removing the oil present on the make-up, gently clean your face by using toilet tissue. The tissue will remove the excess oil without affecting the make-up.

Apply foundation and then small amount of under-eye concealer with a fingertip. This will hide the blemish under the eyes.

Lightly dab Witch Hazel on your scalp using a cotton ball. It absorbs the oil on the scalp. Ensure your water intake is at least 6-8 glasses per day. This removes the oiliness from the skin.

Waterproof sunscreens with high SPF level: Sunscreen with a high SPF provides protection against sun damage and skin cancer. Sweat, swimming and washing your face with water erases the sunscreen. Hence choose sunscreens or cosmetics with high SPF and are waterproof.

Cleansers: Use cleanser instead of soap because cleanser is mild. Soap strips your skin of moisture, causing aging. This can aggravate the sun damage. Cleanser will clean your skin properly and make you feel fresh. One of the best cleansers specially recommended by skin experts is Cetaphil.

Eye creams and treatments: The skin below and near the eyes is very delicate and sensitive. This makes it prone to wrinkles, crow’s feet and dark circles. To remedy this problem, choose products and treatments manufactured by Hydroderm. Their products are good moisturizers and can reduce the puffiness around the eyes. You will notice the difference in a short time. These products are a must for any skin care regimen.

Retinoid or retinol creams and lotions: Retinol, derived from vitamin A, has been successfully used in anti-aging treatment. Now you can enjoy the benefit of this ingredient from retinol creams and lotions that are flooding the market. These products treat color and pigmentation problems, wrinkles and sun damage. Use these products as per the manufacturer’s recommendations or according to your doctor’s advice.

Alpha-hydroxy, beta-hydroxy and TCA acids: These ingredients refreshes your skin, changes the pH level of your skin to prevent the growth of bacteria and acne and clears away the dead and damaged skin. Alpha-hydroxy (glycolic acid) and Beta-hydroxy (salicylic acid) work effectively on the oily skin. TCA is moderately strong acid and is ideal for skin care.

Purchase the above products to give you’re a fresh and youthful looking skin. Besides choosing wrong products will not only make you lose money but also damage the skin.